
Loading summary
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Hey, smarty. Family picture. Seventh grade trustee at the kitchen table staring at a page of math homework that might as well have been written in Dragonese. I just didn't get it. My parents could afford a few sessions with a tutor, and they went at my pace, but they could only help when they were there. Boy, do I wish IXL learning had existed back then. IXL is like a friendly tutor, working at your pace and adjusting to your needs. IXL has pretty much every subject your kid studies with free friendly explanations when they get stuck and fun celebrations when they get it right. Homeschool parents, this is especially for you. I know. Summer schedules are all over the place, and 10 minutes here and there with IXL lets you keep the homeschool learning momentum going in a fun way all summer long. Over 15 million students use it, and it's backed by real research. Who Smarted Listeners get an exclusive 20% off when you sign up today@ixl.com SmartID so sign up today and give Give your smarty pants the experience I wish I'd had access to. That's ixl.com smarted for your exclusive 20% off. And now it's time for who's Smarty? Hey, smarty pants. My pal and everyone's favorite reporter, Chad Nickerson, is away on vacation and he asked me to pet sit. And he guesses what kind of pet is owned by Chet. Go ahead, shout out some pets. Huh? Huh? I heard dog, cat, pig, capybara. All great guesses. No, it's definitely not a dinosaur. Whoever said that? Nor is it a cryptid like Bigfoot or the yeti. Here, I'll give you an audio hint to see if you can figure it out. Ready? So, what do you think? Did you guess? The Chat pet I'm taking care of while he's away is the fish in his fish tank. Why, that's right.
Betty the Betta Fish
Oh, hey, you must be the trusty narrator. Thanks for taking care of us.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Oh, sure, of course. And you are?
Betty the Betta Fish
I'm Betty the Betta fish.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Ah, of course, Chat didn't mention that his fish talked. But would we expect any less here on who's Smarted?
Betty the Betta Fish
Fun fact. Even though you're not dinosaur sitting, you're still dealing with something pretty prehistoric. That's because fish were the first vertebrates on Earth.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Whoa. Whoa, indeed. Well, I'm glad you can talk, Betty Betta, because the Smartypants and I would love to know more about fish tanks and the fish in them. Like how many types of fish are alive today? Why do fish have Fins. And is there anything you can train a pet fish to do?
Betty the Betta Fish
Sure thing. I can help answer those questions and more.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Great. Then it's time for another whiff of science and history on who smarted,
Theme Song Singer / Announcer
who's smarted? Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up, everyone. We make smarting lots of fun. Who's smart and.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Okay, smarty pants. As you know, I'm taking care of Chet Nickerson's fish tank while he's on vacation. And one of his fish. Betty Betta just informed us that fish were the first vertebrates on Earth. So now that has me wondering. How many different species of fish are on Earth today? Is it A, over 10,000, B, over 20,000, or C, over 30,000?
Betty the Betta Fish
Believe it or not, if you said C over 30,000, you're right. Scientists believe there are over 30,000 different species of fish alive today.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Wow. That is a lot of different kinds of fish. Of course, most of them wouldn't fit in a 20 gallon fish tank. Of those 30,000 fish species, how many species would be suitable for a home aquarium? Any ideas?
Betty the Betta Fish
While it's hard to pinpoint the exact number, it's likely there are more than 1,000 different species of fish maintained in captivity. For the aquarium hobby. A visit to a local pet store will often reveal 50 to 100 different species of fish available for sale at any given time. These include popular choices like goldfish, tetras, guppies, mollies, various cichlids, and of course, betta fish. Like me.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Gotcha. Now, here's something I've always wanted to know. Most fish of the same species look exactly alike. Unlike your dog that you can tell apart from other dogs. It's hard to tell two goldfish apart. But what about from the fish's point of view? True or false, smartypants, A pet fish can recognize it's human.
Betty the Betta Fish
The answer, surprisingly, is true. Goldfish develop the ability to recognize their owners through visual and associative learning. For example, associating their owner's face and movements with positive experiences. And by that, I pretty much mean feeding. Pet fish can also recognize patterns in their owner's behavior, like approaching the tank or opening the lid. And associate these with feeding time.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Yep, I did notice you swam right to the top when I opened the lid.
Betty the Betta Fish
Yep. And while I could tell you're not Chad, I figured, hey, at least you showed up at my feeding time.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Wow. So what else can pet fish remember?
Betty the Betta Fish
Ooh, lots of things. Pet fish have good memories. And we can remember swimming routes. But not only that, we can hold on to these memories for many years.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
You remember swimming routes, as in where you're going in the water. How do you do that?
Betty the Betta Fish
My lateral line helps me.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Smartypants, what is a lateral line? Is it A, a row of sensors, B, a fin, or C, part of a fish's brain?
Betty the Betta Fish
If you said A, you got it. The lateral line is a row of sensors along a fish's side that can detect the position of objects. It can also detect vibrations from predators and prey.
Theme Song Singer / Announcer
Nom, nom, nom, nom, nom.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
That sounds pretty important when you're swimming around in the water. By the way, how do you breathe? I need to come up for air when I swim.
Betty the Betta Fish
Fish breathe a little differently than humans do. While we need oxygen too, most fish can't breathe air. Instead, we swallow water and push it out through our gills. Our gills take the oxygen we need from the water.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Wait, smartypants. There's oxygen in water? Of course there is. Have you ever heard of water referred to as H2O? Well, those are the elements that make up water. And the O stands for oxygen.
Betty the Betta Fish
And if there is not enough oxygen in our water, we can drown.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Wow, I didn't realize a fish could drown. But it makes sense. That's why it's super important to make sure your fish tank is safe and healthy. Speaking of, what kinds of fish tanks are there?
Betty the Betta Fish
Well, you can get a saltwater tank or a freshwater tank. I'm a Betta, which means I'm a freshwater fish, so I live in a freshwater tank.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Smarty pants, do you know the difference between freshwater and saltwater? Well, yeah, it's right in the name. Salt water is salty like the ocean, Whereas fresh water isn't salty like the water in a pool or a bathtub. But what's the difference between a freshwater tank and a saltwater tank? Aren't they just both fish tanks?
Betty the Betta Fish
Saltwater tanks need much more attention than freshwater tanks. Freshwater fish like me can adapt more easily than saltwater fish if the conditions in the tank aren't perfect. While I need safe and healthy conditions, I'm not nearly as delicate or picky
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
as your pet sitter. I am relieved to hear that. What temperature do you like for your
Betty the Betta Fish
water As a betta fish? I'm a tropical fish, so I like my water on the warmer side about 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, or 23 to 26 degrees Celsius. So my tank has a heater.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
What else should a tank have?
Betty the Betta Fish
A cover that fits well, especially if you have another particular pet in the house.
Theme Song Singer / Announcer
Meow.
Betty the Betta Fish
A well maintained fish tank also has a light, an air pump to keep enough oxygen in the water, a filter system to help remove waste and provide a home for helpful bacteria. Gravel or sand for the bottom decorations or plants, a thermometer, a water testing kit, a net tank, cleaning equipment, and a bucket that will only be used with the fish tank.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
That's a lot.
Betty the Betta Fish
I know, but I'm worth it.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
I'm seeing some bubbles in the tank. Did you?
Betty the Betta Fish
No. It's normal to see bubbles coming out of the filter. It's a sign the filter is working. You may also see small bubbles forming on the plants. This just means that the plants are healthy and making oxygen.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Gotcha. I know. You need breathing room. So how much space do fish need in the tank?
Betty the Betta Fish
The usual rule is one gallon of water for every one inch of fish. I'm living in a 20 gallon tank with five friends. Since Bettas need our own space, I
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
also noticed the tank is in a quiet room, which of course is any room without Chet in it.
Betty the Betta Fish
Fish are sensitive to noise. We don't love when things get too loud.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Your tank is really nice. When I was a kid, I had a pet goldfish in a bowl. He or she would have loved a big fancy tank like this.
Betty the Betta Fish
Oh yeah, I know. The classic image of a fishbowl is something we've all seen, but a bowl isn't a good place to keep fish. For one thing, the water surface is too small, so there's not enough oxygen in the water. Not to mention there's no filter or heater.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Sorry, Elmo. You should really get Dorothy a tank. I also notice you have some really cool plants and decorations. There's even a pirate ship and a spongebob Pineapple house. I guess fish like a fancy looking tank.
Betty the Betta Fish
Well, who wouldn't? But actually, those plants and decorations do more than just look cool.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Smarty pants. Besides looking good, what do plants and decorations do in a fish tank? Do they A, provide a home for healthy bacteria, B, give fish a place to hide and enjoy some rest and quiet time, or C, take dangerous chemicals out of the water. As it turns out, that was a trick question, smartypants, because all of those answers are right. If you have a fish tank, you should definitely get some fresh plants. Not only do they look nice, they also help keep your fish safe by taking out dangerous chemicals. And decorations like spongebob's Pineapple house provide a nice hiding place for fish to chill out in, as well as a home for healthy bacteria to grow.
Betty the Betta Fish
Just make sure you don't put too many plants and things in a fish tank. Fish still need room to swim. Live plants also need light to survive, but too much light can make yucky, slimy algae in the tank.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
We don't want that. Smartypants. What else do you want to avoid having in a fish tank? Think about it while we take a quick break and hear a word from our sponsors. Hey smarty Families. I've had the Skylight calendar in our kitchen for about a week, and I'll just tell you what changed. It became the one source of truth before this, keeping track of who, what, when, and where with sticky notes, group text, and hopefully me remembering to get the groceries. Now everyone checks the same screen. The meal planning feature alone has saved us from the nightly what's for dinner spiral, and I can pull recipes right into it. Skylight is the calendar I didn't know I needed Skylight is designed to bring families together for more time. It syncs seamlessly with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, and Outlook with customizable daily, weekly, and monthly views. The tasks feature helps kids build healthy routines and independence. Brushing teeth, homework, and chores become fun and rewarding. Assign each family member their own color and the excuses disappear. If you're not 100% thrilled in four months, you can get a full refund. Now, you know I love an adventure, but Skylight has helped me make organizing the family less of a safari. Families are better when they're working together. Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch calendars by going to myskylight.com smarted go to myskylight.com smartid for $30 off your 15 inch calendar. That is my S K-Y-L-I G H T.com smarted
Commercial Narrator / Advertiser
who's that walking through the woods? Wyatt's Yoshi here to explore a world of curious creatures with you. Discovered a creature you haven't seen before? Why don't you get Yoshi to see what it t hmm, Soapy. No wonder this creature blows giant bubbles so big they can carry you. You can even jump from one bubble to another and reach new areas. There are plenty more surprises to discover too. Bowser Jr. What are you doing out here? You can jump into adventure with Yoshi and the Mysterious Book. Available now only on Nintendo Switch 2. Game rated E for everyone.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Hey smarty pants. Quick question. Would it be cool to slice flying fruit out of the air like a ninja? I'm hearing a lot of yeses. Well, last weekend I was actually doing it in my living room. Just me chopping watermelons and pineapples out of mid air while my dinner was bubbling on the stove. How Nex Playground Nex Playground is a kid focused game system where your body is the controller. No joystick, no buttons. The playground sees your moves and you're in the game. I've been crushing Fruit Ninja and there's also Bluey and Ninja Turtles games and an Avatar Earth Rumble tournament where I got to bend rocks. Dance games, sports games, over 50 games. Once you add play, pass smarty parents, here's the part for you. Playground is built kid safe. No ads, no in app purchases, no mature content, no online chat with strangers. Just your smarty pants moving their body, having a blast playing games that you can actually feel good about. It's the screen time solution that's also exercise, which means everyone wins. Check out next playground@nexplayground.com that's nexplayground.com Trust me, your living room is about to get a lot more interesting. Now back to who smarted. Okay, smarty pants, I'm back with Chet Nickerson's fish, Betty Betta, who is about to tell us some of the bad things you don't want in your fish tank. Can you think of any? I was gonna say tartar sauce, but that wouldn't be right.
Betty the Betta Fish
One thing you don't want in your tank is a chemical called ammonia. Ammonia is very dangerous for fish.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
I see. I know ammonia as a cleaning supply. So what causes ammonia in a fish tank?
Betty the Betta Fish
Fish waste, uneaten food and plant decay are the main causes. But the good news is there's something you can grow to get rid of ammonia.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Smartypants, any guesses what that could be? Is it seaweed, a colony of bacteria, or coral?
Betty the Betta Fish
The answer is a colony of bacteria. Growing a colony of bacteria is called cycling. And while it can take a lot of patience, it's worth it to keep your tank healthy.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Where would we find those bacteria? Any ideas, Smartypants? Yeah, me neither.
Betty the Betta Fish
The answer is everywhere. The bacteria that helps keep us alive lives in the gravel at the bottom of our tank, on the tank walls, on decorations, and in the filter. It's just a matter of time before it grows, so you need to test ammonia levels more often.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Until then, smarty pants, true or false? Healthy pet fish are alert and active.
Betty the Betta Fish
Good job if you said true. Healthy fish are alert, active, and swim normally. If your fish seems tired or is swimming in an unusual way, including on its side or upside down, it might be sick. A Sick fish may also have bulging or cloudy eyes, spots, sores or ragged fins.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
What should I do if I notice any of these things?
Betty the Betta Fish
Some veterinarians can treat fish and can help your pet feel better or there's medicines you can buy.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
What about baby fish? Can they live in the same tank as grown up fish?
Betty the Betta Fish
Unfortunately, no. Baby fish are usually eaten even by their parents. If your fish has babies, the babies need to be moved to a separate tank. Even grown up fish fight with each other. If you're planning on getting new fish, you should add them to your tank a few at a time, starting with the ones that seem to be the strongest and healthiest.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Is there anything special you should do when adding new fish to your tank?
Betty the Betta Fish
Rearrange the decorations and feed your fish before you put the new fish in.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Smarty Pants why feed your current fish before adding a new fish? Is it a your old fish need special attention so they don't feel left out, B the new fish might not like the food or C the old fish might eat the new fish?
Betty the Betta Fish
Unfortunately, the answer is C the old fish might eat the new fish. Some fish can be territorial and don't like the idea of a new fish coming into their homes, so it's a good idea to make sure they are full before introducing new tank mates.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Other than when you're introducing new fish, when should you feed fish?
Betty the Betta Fish
Fish that are active at night should be fed right before you turn the lights off.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Smarty Pants if you want to give your fish a special treat, give them a bloodworms or shrimp, B leftover dinner or C pizza.
Betty the Betta Fish
The answer is bloodworms or shrimp. Fish love bloodworms or shrimp as a treat and it's not a good idea to drop people food into the tank, including pizza. While it may be delicious to you, it could make fish really sick.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Noted. Plus More pizza for me. Say, what should you do to keep your fish tank clean?
Betty the Betta Fish
Get yourself an algae scrubber and scraper, a gravel vacuum, a bucket and replacement water. The first thing you should do when cleaning a fish tank is unplug all electrical items, including the filter.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Safety first.
Betty the Betta Fish
Next, take out about 20% of the tank's water as well as decorations, but leave the live plants in. Clean the inside of the tank with an algae scrubber, then rinse the filter pad and decorations in the water you took out of the tank. Put the filter pad and decorations back. Plug everything back in but keep the tank dark to help calm your fish.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
How often should you clean your fish tank? Smarty Pants? A. At least once a month, B every two weeks, or C once a week?
Betty the Betta Fish
The answer is at least once every two weeks.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
Wow. Keeping a fish tank healthy is a lot more work than I thought it
Betty the Betta Fish
is, but it's worth it. Having a fish tank can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. It lets you be more connected to nature and helps you learn about science and the environment.
Host (possibly Adam Tetradavis)
You know what? I'm going to get my own fish tank. And then when I'm on vacation, Chet can come talk to my fish. A super shout out to a special Smartie fan, Emma in Houston, Texas. I have to read what Emma's parent wrote to us. They said my daughter is a huge fan of Whosmarted. She talks about it to everyone she meets, including kids in her class. I wish I could say I'm a big fan too, but now I can't listen to music in the car anymore because Emma only wants to listen to Whosmarted for her birthday. All she asked for was a subscription, and yes, I got it for her. Aw, thanks for that. We're so glad you're in our Smartie family. And sorry about the music this episode. Fish Tanks was written by Sarah C. Star Sweetiek and voiced by Laura Rockfish Rondinella and Jerry Colber. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Worth his weight in Gold Fish Han. Our associate producer is Max the Guppy Kamasky. The theme song is by Brian Catfish Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tetradavis, who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colber. This has been an Atomic Audio production.
Theme Song Singer / Announcer
Too smart and.
Release Date: June 3, 2026
Host: Adam Tetradavis (Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media)
Special Guest: Betty the Betta Fish (voiced character)
This lively, kid-friendly episode tackles the essentials of setting up and maintaining a fish tank with a hefty dose of humor, interactivity, and "fin-tastic" science trivia. Guided by the show's host and the chatty, knowledgeable Betty the Betta Fish, listeners learn about different types of fish tanks, fish behavior, tank care, and fascinating aquatic facts—perfect for young learners, aspiring aquarists, and curious families.
Fish were the first vertebrates:
[02:20] Betty the Betta Fish: "That’s because fish were the first vertebrates on Earth."
On fish bowls:
[09:47] Betty: "A bowl isn’t a good place to keep fish. For one thing, the water surface is too small, so there’s not enough oxygen in the water. Not to mention there’s no filter or heater."
On ammonia and good bacteria:
[15:40] Betty: "The answer is a colony of bacteria. Growing a colony of bacteria is called cycling. And while it can take a lot of patience, it’s worth it to keep your tank healthy."
On feeding fish human food:
[18:22] Betty: "Not a good idea to drop people food into the tank, including pizza… it could make fish really sick."
On the payoff of fishkeeping:
[19:46] Betty: "Having a fish tank can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. It lets you be more connected to nature and helps you learn about science and the environment."
| Segment Topic | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------------------|----------------| | Fish as earliest vertebrates, intro to fish tanks | 02:03–02:46 | | Types of fish & aquarium fish | 03:18–04:34 | | Can fish recognize owners? | 04:54–05:24 | | Lateral line explanation | 05:51–06:04 | | Fish gills & oxygen in water | 06:32–07:08 | | Freshwater vs. saltwater tanks | 07:18–08:03 | | Essential tank equipment | 08:23–08:53 | | Fish tank size, noise sensitivity | 09:18–09:34 | | Why bowls are bad | 09:47–10:03 | | The role of plants/decorations | 10:15–11:03 | | Ammonia dangers & good bacteria | 15:11–15:59 | | Fish health symptoms | 16:15–16:46 | | Adding new fish & feeding practices | 17:25–18:22 | | How to clean your fish tank | 18:45–19:25 | | How often to clean | 19:25–19:33 | | Benefits of keeping fish | 19:46–19:57 |
The episode is upbeat, playful, and inquisitive, with a dash of quirky humor and plenty of helpful analogies to make science concepts stick. Betty the Betta Fish brings information to life with a chatty, accessible tone—perfect for young listeners.
This "Who Smarted?" episode transforms aquarium-keeping into a science-packed adventure, blending practical advice with fascinating fish facts. From tank setup tips and water chemistry to pet fish personalities and tank cleaning hacks, the episode makes learning about fish fun, memorable, and "fin-tastic" for families and aspiring aquarists alike.