Do Fish Ever Fart?

Last Updated on April 19, 2022

There have been some stories shared by Betta fish keepers that their betta fish passed gas out of where their poop comes out. This is an interesting idea that makes a person think if that was really actually a fart similar to what humans normally do.

Let’s have some discussion about the physiologic processes fish have.

Do fish ever fart?

They made a discovery in 2003 by biologists from the University of British Columbia. Pacific and Atlantic herring produced much like a farting sound. They heard sounds as gases passed out of the fish’s rear ends.

These herring fish could control their swim bladder to expel fish flatulence to create these sounds. The swim bladder helps fish maintain buoyancy and navigate through various depths. This discovery observed was a form of communication.

These herring are shoaling fish that form schools of fish and when it gets dark, they use this form of communication to stick with each other. Only they can decipher this high-pitched sound, keeping them safe by avoiding detection from predators.

Why do betta fish fart?

But how about those Betta fish that farted as their owners mentioned?

Betta fish have a specialized labyrinth organ that allows them to gulp air from the surface of the water. This is just speculation but it could be possible they swallowed air and had to expel it out.

Aside from the stories shared by fishkeepers, there has been no formal study on the phenomenon of Betta fish farts. Whether fish fart or not, digestive gases are released from their gills to expel the carbon dioxide which is a by-product of their bodily function.

Always be on the lookout if your Betta fish is experiencing bloating and indigestion. Signs are a swollen belly and a lack of appetite. These problems may lead to a fatal condition called dropsy which is quite difficult to treat.

What do fish think about?

Fishes are primarily focused on two things. Sustenance and reproduction. They need sustenance in the form of food and good water conditions to prolong their life as much as possible. This leads to the next goal which is procreation. Fish will find a mate to pass on their genetic material to the next generation of their species.

Fish will look for food. Betta fish are opportunistic feeders. Being carnivores, they will grab the chance to eat mosquito larvae, brine shrimps, daphnia, and small worms that they come across in the wild. You should give this varied diet consideration by a betta fish keeper so that their pet betta fish will be healthy.

Related: Betta Fish Care in a Nutshell

Water conditions play a huge role in the optimum health of most fish. Give your betta fish the best life by providing good quality water parameters in your betta fish tank. You can achieve this by proper maintenance through water changes and a good filtration set up.

In their natural habitat, a male betta fish will create a bubble nest using air and saliva to attract any female betta fish within the area ready to mate. This gives the betta fish a chance to pass on their genes to the next generation. 

They will go through a courtship sequence that’s awesome to witness. They lock in an embrace and the female betta will release her eggs. They collect all the eggs and attach it to the bubble nest made by the male. Once they’ve collected all the eggs, the female will swim away. Remember that they are highly territorial fish and will only be this romantic during mating time.

The male betta fish takes care of the eggs and after about 3 days it will hatch the fry. These are free-swimming small fish that will feed on infusoria which are the small microorganisms in water. As they grow, they will start feeding on the same food as their parents feed on and the cycle of life continues.

Do fish have feelings?

Fish can feel pain and have feelings although not as complex as human feelings. They can experience fear of being caught by predators. We can see this in guppies that look for places to hide when they are trying to be netted out of the water. Betta fish are also surprised by a sudden tapping on the betta fish’s tank or by suddenly opening the aquarium light when the room is dark. They swim away fast and hide where they can.

According to the 2017 study by a group of Portuguese scientists, “Our data supports the occurrence of emotion-like states in fish that are regulated by the individual’s perception of environmental stimuli, the study reads.”

Related: Are Betta Fishes Easy to Take Care of Compared to Others?

Do Fish Ever Fart

Do fishes cry?

According to Monterey Bay Aquarium’s retired senior marine biologist Steve Webster, “…certainly they produce no tears since their eyes are regularly bathed in a watery medium.” 

Fish may not cry but they can feel simple emotions such as happiness when they have food and when they are safe in the company of another fish. They can also feel sad when they are sick and weak.

Do fish get thirsty?

Since fish are creatures that live in water they don’t get thirsty. In freshwater fish such as the Betta, it absorbs water through its skin and gills. The salt concentration is higher in their blood. Water outside the fish’s body has less salt. This makes water go from an area of lower concentration to higher concentration through the process of osmosis. This passes out the fish’s body together with metabolic wastes as urine. 

Do fish get bored?

Betta fish that do not get any stimulating activities will seem lethargic and bored. Prevent this by giving some activity to your betta fish such as showing it its reflection in a mirror to stimulate its territorial instinct. Give it room to swim around. Decorate your fish tank with plants and introduce some compatible tank mates for a betta fish.

Related: Do Bettas Like Light? All Your Questions Answered!