How Do I Make Him Flare?

[chibi]

I've got a betta in a 29-gallon, yadayadayada. My question is, how do you make your betta flare up? I've put a mirror next to him and he doesn't do anything but swim away. Should I put him in a smaller container and do it or something? I really want to see him do it...

 

[zoekin8yg]

They flare when they are displaying for females or are scared/warning someone off, you dont want a betta to flare a lot, it stresses them out.

 

[liz2]

its good for bettas to flare it exercises their fins/tails. I let mine flare every morning for about 5 minutes before I feed them...I am sure its god for them!

 

[zoekin8yg]

its good for bettas to flare it exercises their fins/tails. I let mine flare every morning for about 5 minutes before I feed them...I am sure its god for them!

Yeah its good for them for short periods, but not constantly sorry if that sounded a bit harsh, didnt mean it to, have pain cramps lol

 

[chibi]

But umm... how exactly do I make them flare?

 

[starrynightxxi]

you can't make them flare. Some bettas are very laid back, especially petshop bettas because they aren't bred for anything in particular, whereas breeders, and especially those who show, are breeding for some level of agression (fish who don't display are disqualified)

That said, the only thing you can do, really is see if he'll flare at the mirror. If he won't, he won't. It isn't exactly fair to put him somewhere smaller with a mirror just to see him flare as that would be very stressful. He would likely feel trapped and vulnerable, assuming this new container is the "other fish's" territory.