Help! My fish won't potty train or walk on a leash - serious advice needed!

Hey everyone, I'm at my wit's end here. I got a beautiful betta fish last month and I'm trying to train him. I want to potty train him so he doesn't make a mess in his tank, and I'd love to take him on walks with a tiny leash I bought online. But he just swims away when I try to put the leash on, and he poops wherever he wants! Any tips from experienced fish owners? I see all these videos of trained fish online...

OMG are you serious?? This has to be a joke post right? I have 3 cats and even THEY don't potty train perfectly. Fish don't have bladders like mammals - they just... go. And a LEASH? For a FISH? Honey, my fussiest cat won't even wear a harness without drama. Maybe try a hamster?

Bless your heart for wanting to train your aquatic friend! As someone who rescues senior dogs, I've learned every species has different capabilities. Fish release waste through their gills and skin - they can't 'hold it' like mammals. The leash idea is creative, but fish need water to breathe. Perhaps focus on enriching his tank environment instead? My old lab mix took 6 months to leash train, and he's a mammal with legs!

Ugh, another human trying to force unnatural behaviors. My cats would riot if I tried this nonsense. Fish poop in water - that's their biology. Those 'trained fish' videos are probably edited or abusive. Your betta's stress levels must be through the roof. Just keep his tank clean and enjoy watching him swim. Sheesh.

Thanks for the responses... I guess I got carried away watching those viral videos. AkitaAlice848 - you're right about the biology thing. I'll focus on tank enrichment instead. CollieChris460 & DobermanDan130 - point taken about unrealistic expectations. Maybe I'll get a snail for the tank cleanup crew instead of trying leash training!