Do betta fish bite?

[jeffandcole]

I have never had a fish in my life and im very worried that my betta will bite me. I have read that they do and can bite if you put ur finger in their tank. Is this true? im very worried

[styggian]

Anything with a mouth can bite, but they couldn't hurt you. None of mine ever have.

[Aus]

They're not like... piranhas. It's not a "bite" as much as a tiny pinch, and more amusing then scary (than it can be a little shock the first time).

My daughter's fish doesn't bite at all, but mine will leap out of the water to nip - he's a greedy, highly aggressive fish.

You just can't tell which ones will bite. But it's absolutely nothing to worry about, it's not like they can cause an injury.

[vilmarisv]

It's very tru but it doesn't hurt because they really don't grab your skin. It just feels like they are touching your with their mouths.
I have a sorority and everytime I put my hand in they act like pirahnas! They are just hoping you have food, it's not maliciously.

[jeffandcole]

ok im just a very cautious person and am very afraid of fish i was told they didnt bite but later learned they had the ability to.

[MrVampire181]

I had one male bite me before and he didn't let go -_- But other than that one out of hundreds of bettas I've had over the years has bitten me.

Actually them biting is interesting. I read somewhere that bettas, if larger, would have more powerful bites than a great white shark. Interesting. But of course our bettas will never hurt you with a bite.

[jeffandcole]

You mean all the fish you have had they have all bitten you?

[MrVampire181]

No lol. Only one male, out of hundreds of bettas, has bitten me lol.

[jeffandcole]

o lol thanks so much im not sure when i should try putting my fingers in his aquarium

[MollyJean]

How to explain this.. A betta bite has about as much pressure as your figure uses to press a key on your computer keyboard.. maybe less. You don't feel a "bite" really, more like something poking you that isn't sharp. An eraser or something. I doubt anyone has ever gotten a bruise or had blood drawn by a betta. It would take a HUGE betta to do that.

They don't have teeth, and as far as them being "Fighting fish" goes, if that's the root of your concern, a betta's tail is very delicate, so if a betta bites a betta tail, it might do damage, but that's like you or I biting a chunk out of toilet paper. Betta fins are easy to damage. Your finger is not.