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one of my bettas seems to have trouble with his eye-mouth coordination. he sees the food but narrowly misses it a few times before he actually does get it into his mouth. Is this normal? If not, is there anything I can do about it? It doesn't seem to bother him at all, he seems happy, swims around fine and gets enough to eat.

I would appreciate any help or peace of mind.

I am not sure about the eyesight, but if he is eating and doesn't have to compete for food, then he should be ok. Just make sure he doesn't have an infection or disease that is affecting his vision.

Racso and I have actually noticed that about all our bettas. It seems that when they "jump" on the food, they miss a time or 2 before actually getting it. It makes you think they have bad eyesight...

However, I did a search and found:

scientists have learned that the senses of sight and smell are of great importance to the betta. The keen eyes of the betta can see color and are situated on their axis such that they can rotate outwards and provide excellent peripheral vision to the betta

(taken from [link=here]http://canis.tamu.edu/wfscCourses/examples/betaritt.html" style="COLOR: #FF82AB[/link], under Physical Problem Solving)

Are pet store bettas inbred to the point that their eyesight has deteriorated? Does it occur due to the conditions they have to live in before making it home? Do they just have bad aim? Interesting topic...

*ahem* To answer your question
All my bettas seem to have the same "problem" (if it really is a problem) but get along fine just the same. As pugperson said: If he's getting enough food and not having to compete for it, he's fine

><>Dani<><

[hr width='40%']I don't want another pretty face
I don't want just anyone to hold
I don't want my love to go to waste
I want you and your beautiful soul

I had been thinking it was maybe just a normal betta thing until I got my second one a couple of weeks ago. the new one has perfect aim and will actually chase the bits of food as they get moved along in the gentle current, he will also dive down to get the sinking bits. Whereas with the first one, if the food sinks it no longer exists

Maybe he's just alot cleverer than the new one in that he knows I will keep dropping food in there for him until I know he has had a few bits, then when I'm not looking he goes and has a private feast.

Just make sure he doesn't have an infection or disease that is affecting his vision.

He has no outward signs of any problems, he's been like this since I got him.

is he a light colour? yellow or cellophane?

I have had this problem, but it seems to predominantly affect the light coloured boys.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Also could depend on age. I know my sister has had her betta for two years now and his color is starting to change and he doesn't see as well as he used to (or so it seems). She has to get his attention before dropping in his food because he doesn't seem to see it unless he actually SEES it drop in.

Some of my own bettas will chase falling food, but lose interest as soon as it hits the gravel. However, I've never observed them missing food when they lunge for it. *shrugs*

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

Callatya said:

is he a light colour? yellow or cellophane?

He's dark blue with red highlights in his fins (very pretty)

Kitten said:

Some of my own bettas will chase falling food, but lose interest as soon as it hits the gravel.

The new one, red CT, will chase the food to the bottom and get it sometimes. With the blue one, as soon as food leaves the surface it ceases to exist.