Twitch the Betta

[Smart Red]

So is that on his list of 'tricks', getting you to follow him down into the cool part of his home? In effect, telling you just what was wrong?
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Oh, Wait. That's on the list of tricks he's taught you. That's one smart cookie you've got swimming around! Way to go,Twitch!

 

[AMKuska]

Managed to get video of Twitch performing his tricks two at a time. His behavior has changed recently and I'm really excited about it. He will perform 2-3 tricks and then either swim off to mull it over or (and this is the interesting part!) he will perform a brand new behavior all his own idea and then look to see if he gets a reward for it.

this behavior is something I see in dogs that truly get the clicker game, which is what Twitch is learning. I don't know whether to run with it, try and work on getting him to sequence his behavior, or experiment with broader interaction with him.

one thing is certain. I am video taping all training sessions with him now start to finish so I can study all his behaviors. I'll post the video as soon as I get home to my big computer; so excited!

 

[Smart Red]

You are doing great, @AMKuska! Yup, I knew when you started this thread that I probably shouldn't get a betta. Yours sounds way to smart for me.

****Speaking of sounds. I wish you could hear the sound and vibrations of my bore holes being drilled.

 

[AMKuska]

Well, I just don't understand bettas. I went to work with him today and record the training session, and he performed all 6 tricks with only a little trouble finding the entrance to the cup, and what he knows of the seventh trick flawlessly. I'm gong to go back to basics now and work on cementing each trick with him before adding new ones.

@Smart Red I've had hundreds of bettas and had no idea they were this smart either. I've only had him about 6 weeks and he's already learned o much. Not only that, he's able to communicate to me specific things about himself. Things like: Bloodworms are nice, but beef heart is way better. This water is cold. Help me! (As you yourself pointed out!)

He's also terrified of water changes. He truly doesn't like any part of the process. Even if you remove him gently from the water, change it, and put him back, he'll refuse to swim into his cup for several days afterwards no matter what you offer. Makes you wonder how much stress fish that get netted are under, since having him voluntarily swim into a cup seems so much friendlier.

Anyway, the link for all 7 tricks is here:

It's not done "processing" yet, and has been processing forever. Hopefully it'll post eventually.

 

[Smart Red]

Neat O, @AMKuska! The link is working just fine. I usually can't watch videos on my computer, but this works really well. Twitch is amazing!

 

[AMKuska]

Just wanted to give a little update, DH got me a "Go Pro" camera, so I redid the video from underwater perspective. Fun!

Working on two new tricks right now, "Flare" on command and this weird sort of drifting thing he came up with himself.

 

[Smart Red]

I got a happy start when I saw the title of your post. It's been way too long since we got to see Twitch in action.

Even better, my up-dated FlashDrive lets me see the action without long delays.

Very nice job, both of you! Tell Twitch I think he is "Some Fish"!