Bettas yawning or something wrong?

[Bettalover22]

I noticed that 2 of my new betts open there mouth under water & it looks like they're yawning. Has anyone else noticed this with there bettas or is it possible something is wrong?

[xMandy]

I have my male Apollo on my desk..I see him do this often. I've read elsewhere it's just like them gulping air at the surface.. but just gulping underwater.
I find it cute. Just thinking about it made me yawn!

[Bettalover22]

I kinda figured it wasn't something to worry about, but I wanted to make sure!

[Sakura8]

Only time to worry is if they do it A LOT, like back to back to back to back yawns. Then that means they may have something caught in their throats and are trying to dislodge it. Otherwise, totally harmless and utterly cute.

[Bettalover22]

Good to kno, thank u! But what if something was stuck in there throat? Is there anything that can be done to help them?

[xMandy]

heimlich maneuver? :P

[Sakura8]

Haha, actually someone online did post once that they saw their betta choking. Worried, the person reached in and tapped the fish very gently on the back and the pellet he was choking on shot out.

That aside, I'm not quite sure what can be done to help a choking fish. Probably the best thing is to prevent choking in the first place by making sure their food is small enough or soft enough for them to eat. Bettas are gluttons, they don't chew their food but slurp it up whole. Plus, bear in mind that pellets and freeze-dried foods do expand a little in the water.

[xMandy]

What?!
lol Could you picture that?
I think I'd be crying and laughing my butt off at the same time.

[Sakura8]

Originally Posted by xMandy

What?!
lol Could you picture that?
I think I'd be crying and laughing my butt off at the same time.

I know, seriously. :D Poor fish probably had no idea what was happening and knowing how bettas are, he probably swam right over and ate the pellet again. Crazy little things.

[BrookeGrace]

Hahaha, oh my goodness. Betta heimlich maneuver! I've now heard everything that is to be said in the world.

Mine would have freaked out if I did that and probably leap out of the tank. LOL.