How to Train a Betta Fish to Follow Your Finger (with pictures)

Betta fish are beginner-level and low-maintenance pets, so people love to buy them for their homes or as gifts. They boast bright colors and a stunning appearance, especially when they flare. But what surprises many is that these fish can do tricks through training, including following your finger.

People often extend their finger or hand towards their betta fish tank, expecting them to follow, but it’s not as simple as that. In this article, I’ll explain how you can train your betta fish to follow your finger. Hi, I’m Thaha, Let’s get started!

Can betta fish bond with humans?

This is one of the familiar questions that arises in the minds of beginner betta keepers. The answer is, Yes, Betta fish can bond with humans. They are intelligent and can identify their owners. By engaging in regular training and spending time with your betta, you can actually create a lovely bond with your betta fish.

(Step By Step) Guide to Train your betta fish to follow your finger:

Here is the guide. Remember that some betta fish varieties are shyer and may be less inclined to follow your finger. Also, it is recommended not to start training immediately after purchasing the betta fish. Give some time for the betta to settle down in its environment, adjust to water conditions, establish its food cycle, and more

Step 1: Spend time with your Betta fish

Once you’ve decided to start the training, begin by spending some time with your betta. This could involve activities such as reading the newspaper, doing homework, scrolling through your mobile screen, or any other quiet activity, but make sure to do it in front of the betta fish tank. This way, you can observe your betta fish’s behavior in the tank, identify any problems in the tank environment, or determine whether you need to relocate the tank.

Often, placing the tank near the kitchen can lead to disturbances from kitchen appliances such as mixers, cookers, or toasters, which may disturb the betta.

Step 2: Watch your betta fish closely

The next step is to watch him/her closely. Give him/her a name based on their color or character. Observe your betta fish closely. Analyze whether your betta is still shy or fearful to come out. The beauty of this betta fish-keeping journey is enjoying the beauty of the betta fish itself. So, sit near the betta fish tank and watch him/her closely. Examine the fins, body, and their feces.

Step 3: Show and Feed pellets directly from your hands

Try to feed your betta fish with your hands; don’t just throw pellets into the tank randomly. First, show the pellet to the betta through the tank’s glass walls. Next, try to attract the betta’s attention. Then, feed it the pellet. During this time, try to call it by its name. It’s also important to feed your betta the correct number of pellets.

If your betta is very shy and does not come out when you present the food, offer the food anyway, as health is more important. You can solve this problem by spending some time with the betta.

Step 4: Show the fingers (maintain distance)

1. Once you’re familiar with your betta, try to show your fingers in front of the betta tank. Don’t touch the tank, just show your fingers to the betta.
2. During this, do not move your hands very fast as it may scare the betta.
3. If in return, your betta starts showing traction like flaring against your finger, coming close to the tank wall, or looking at your finger with curiosity, it is a positive sign and there is hope.
4. You are recommended to follow steps 3 and 4 for the next 2 days to improve the training.
5. If the betta is scared of your fingers or not showing any traction, it is a sign to go back to steps 2 and 3. Try it for 1 week and then come back to step 4

Step 5: Move your fingers

Here is the last step in the training. Once step 4 is completed, show your fingers to the betta tank.

1. In this step, you can touch the tank but do not move your fingers fast.
2. It is important that you should move your fingers in a straight manner, either right or left. As a result, your betta will follow your fingers, flaring its fins and gills, or sometimes just simply follow out of curiosity.
3. I recommend everyone to feed at least one pellet after this as a treat to your betta. This way, the betta can be more active and engaged in this “follow the fingers” play.

If it is not following your fingers, there may be an issue with the betta’s health, tank placement, or tank environment. Sometimes, a few types of bettas may be very interactive and love to hide. In such cases, you could not succeed with this type of training. But in my experience, most bettas will follow your fingers when you adopt this training method.

Things to avoid during the training:

During this training, the major thing to avoid is making the betta randomly follow your fingers. This single mistake can completely ruin the betta training or taming plan. When you begin to show your finger to your betta and receive a response, slowly move your fingers to the right or left side of the tank (preferably not up and down). Avoid moving your fingers randomly, as it can disrupt the training and the betta fish may struggle to follow.

Note: You can introduce random finger movements in later stages of the betta training. However, when starting, follow a method where your betta can easily follow along.

Final Thoughts:

So here you are, in the final thoughts. Thanks for reading till the end. My perspective on training your betta fish is that it’s a worthwhile practice to adopt while exploring and enjoying the journey of betta-keeping. While most betta fish may not require training to follow your fingers, some may trained from it.

As mentioned earlier, if you’ve recently brought the fish home, avoid stressing it out. Give him/her some time to settle, then try the training. I believe this post on how to train your betta fish to follow your fingers is helpful.

If you have any thoughts or suggestions regarding whether this method works or not, please comment below. Stay tuned and check out other posts as well. Bye-bye, and take care.