Backgrounds In Your Betta Tanks

[Lacuna]

I've had my betta since October, but yesterday I put a black background on his tank (black binliner and sellotape!). Well, obviously now he is able to see his reflection, even when the tank lights aren't on, and he is constantly defending the tank. He's been flaring like mad and darting around, and he immediately started building a bubble nest. He now spends all his time at the back of the tank flaring at his reflection and guarding his nest. Will he get used to it, or should I remove the background? The back of the tank is already planted, and although I want to add some more plants he's still going to be able to see his reflection. Also, has anyone else noticed if their bettas are more likely to build nests when other bettas (real or reflective) are around? My boy never built a nest until I started getting him to flare recently (trying to stop him tail-biting). Now, whenever I show him his reflection he starts to build a nest or guard his nest. I guess another betta makes him competitive (or puts him in the mood ). It's kind of cute, but I don't want him exhausted from all the effort.

 

[loraxchick]

i wouldnt worry too much about him becoming exhausted. he will take a rest when hes tired. eventually he will get bored of the "game" because he cant get to the other betta. he should relax after a while. and if he doesnt, im sure he'll be fine then too. ive got a boy who spends MOST of the day flaring a teverything in the tank. snails, plants bubbles etc. he flares for several minutes. takes a rest, goes back, takes a rest, etc. and he has been this way for many months.
think of it as his new hobby. either he will become bored of this game, or not. i wouldnt worry too much about it.
cheers

 

[Assaye]

If you're worried, plant the back more heavily. He should get bored after a while, though.

Sounds like a feisty chap!

 

[Lacuna]

Thanks for the responses. I think I will add some more plants to the back, and leave the background there for now and see how he does. I've seen pictures of other people's betta tanks with backgrounds so I know it can be done! He's spent nearly all day guarding his nest at the back of the tank. Occasionally he swims round the rest of the tank, and then he'll remember his nest and charge back again, flaring. But I've just done a water change and his nest has gone now so he's going to have to build another one (oops).

And yeah, he is pretty feisty. I bought the saddest looking betta in the shop cos I felt sorry for him, but he's got plenty of attitude now

 

[Haych]

mine are the same, spend all day flaring at each other. they have done since i had them lol

it doesnt hurt them though

 

[OneOnion]

Yeah, when I put a permanent mirror up for his ripped fins(took it down because it wasn't helping him regrow his fins) he almost immediately built a bubble nest. Like, 10-15 minutes after I put it up he was making it. He would make bubbles like crazy, then turn around every so often to guard the nest(like you described) I wonder why adding a reflection makes them build one..

 

[Lacuna]

Yeah, when I put a permanent mirror up for his ripped fins(took it down because it wasn't helping him regrow his fins) he almost immediately built a bubble nest. Like, 10-15 minutes after I put it up he was making it. He would make bubbles like crazy, then turn around every so often to guard the nest(like you described) I wonder why adding a reflection makes them build one..

It's probably like, he thinks there's another male in the area, so he builds a nest so that he gets the girls and not the other male.

My betta has calmed down a bit now. Still flaring a bit, but he forgets and swims round the rest of the tank sometimes. As long as it doesn't stress him I don't mind.

 

[Lacuna]

Well, I had to take the background down. He became so aggressive he was either flaring at himself or stalking and chasing the poor corys all over the tank . He'd never really bothered with them before, except to maybe chase one half-heartedly if it got in his way. But the past couple of days he started seeking them out and charging at them all the time. The kuhlis seemed a bit afraid of him as well. I've just taken it down and he already seems calmer. The one good thing was that he had stopped biting his tail. I liked the look of the background, but I guess he just won't tolerate it. I really don't want the corys terrorised

 

[Honeythorn]

Just line the back wall of the tank with plants instead if you want to hide the view of any wires. Or perhaps make a moss wall.