mirrored backing

[Pixie25]

hi peeps,

just a quick question i have a 5 gallon tank but the back of it is mirrored. would this be a bad idea for a male siamese fighter? (we would idealyl like a male)

would a female live happily with the back being mirrored?

any advice much appreciated,

Pixie

 

[RandomWiktor]

I don't think any betta would appreciate a mirror-backed tank. Bettas are very territorial and agressive, and while letting them have a good flare every once in a while by letting them see a reflection or another fish is perfectly ok, constantly seeing what seems like an agressive male (or female) charging at them would undoubtedly lead to stress. I've heard of several people who have fin-mutilators noting that the stress from thier reflection was part of it. And, from what I've heard, bettas can rather harm themselves flaring all day, smacking against the glass, and trying to fight. So I would advise not using the tank. Honestly, I can't think of any fish that would particularly benefit from a mirrored back

 

[Pixie25]

would a mirrored back be more suitable for shoaling fish like a few tetras or endlers?

 

[basia]

I have a 5 gall with a mirrored back. When I kept a male in it I covered the back with plastic canvas, stuck to the mirror with small suckers.
I have now moved him into another tank and currently have a half-moon female in the mirrored tank. I took the plastic canvas off because she was so tiny when I got her she kept trying to get behind it. She flared at herself for a couple of days but doesn't pay any attention to herself anymore and seems very happy in her tank. She still flares at the tanks on either side of her which have the boys in - but not the 'fish' in the mirror. Perhaps she likes herself.

 

[Pixie25]

thankyou for your help! hey thats a good idea. i will look into it!