Mirrors For Bettas?

[rebrn]

Hi,

I was at the LFS the other day, looking for my new betta, just looking, tank not fully cycled yet. Anyway, the guy at the LFS said I needed to buy a "Betta Mirror" for my fish so that he will excerise his fins. Seriously those were his exact words. Anyway this seemed absolutely bizzare to me, as my thoughts were if the Betta can see his reflection he will be constantly stressed thinking there is another fish in his terrritory. Now I am new to bettas, so as bizzare as a "Betta Mirror" seemed to me I thought I would double check here.

Thanks

 

[Rezatii]

Most of us give our fish mirrors for about 10-20minutes a day (That seems to be the average, correct me if I'm wrong) But no, I wouldn't leave a irror in his tank long term, he'll get super stressed

-Rezz

 

[rebrn]

Most of us give our fish mirrors for about 10-20minutes a day (That seems to be the average, correct me if I'm wrong) But no, I wouldn't leave a irror in his tank long term, he'll get super stressed

-Rezz

Great thanks ... I am not sure if the guy at the LFS was meaning only 10-20 minutes a day but the impression I got was a mirror that stays in the tanks permanately. Thanks for letting me know I would not have even thought of giving him a mirror at all. So when you do provide the mirror does it go on the inside of the tank or can I just get a small mirror and put it on the outside of the tank for a few minutes a day?

 

[sanka101]

I only put a mirror next to my betta if im in the room and only for a few minutes at a time or else they'll become overly stressed. and just get a cheap compact and stang it up outside the tank.

 

[soph_betta]

I just hold my mini make up mirror to the tank for 3-4 mins and they will have a good flair usually and then parade the tank for aprox 10-15 mins after like they lord of the manor!

 

[loraxchick]

all my boys get to use a mirror for a few minutes a day. there is one who bites his tail so his is permanently hung on the tank.
for all the folks that say leaving a mirror will cause "super stress" id say not quite. have you tried it? they flare for a while and then the game is boring because they cant "get to" the other fish, some will ignore it sooner than others and may take up to a few days. but it isnt constant flaring, they should be able to have a place to hide anyway.
so to the OP, its really up to you. leave it or use it a few mins a day or not even at all. they dont NEED to flare, they just look nice when they do becasue you see all their beautiful fins.
the only time a mirror is a necessity, IMO, is if they are tail biters, helps them stop that habit by redirecting agression.
cheers

 

[jasminekiddell]

I dont use a mirror, never have. If i want my male to excerise his fins i just remvoe the book from inbetween the male and female tank and my male flares and parades around the tank lol Not all bettas flare anyway, its not essential that they do.

 

[aly_starh]

My current 2 male bettas get the mirror for 10mins every 2 days. They go crazy. lol

 

[GuppyGoddess]

My current 2 male bettas get the mirror for 10mins every 2 days. They go crazy. lol

My three bettas have NEVER done anything in response to me holding up a mirror. One of the fish (male) has NEVER flared, another only flared ONCE and that was after I moved him to a bigger tank, and the third (my female) flared when I held another female up to her tank. Other than that, all my betta are pretty chilled out, but not entirely passive - they do bite!

 

[aly_starh]

My current 2 male bettas get the mirror for 10mins every 2 days. They go crazy. lol

My three bettas have NEVER done anything in response to me holding up a mirror. One of the fish (male) has NEVER flared, another only flared ONCE and that was after I moved him to a bigger tank, and the third (my female) flared when I held another female up to her tank. Other than that, all my betta are pretty chilled out, but not entirely passive - they do bite!

Spikey the DTVT, only flares when he sees the mirror, but Lunar the VT flares at the glass when the light hits it and also at the other fish when they are in his way (he's in the community). None of them bite.

 

[GuppyGoddess]

Spikey the DTVT, only flares when he sees the mirror, but Lunar the VT flares at the glass when the light hits it and also at the other fish when they are in his way (he's in the community). None of them bite.
[/quote]
I've been hand feeding my betta since I got them, so that is why they bite. lol! I stick food to the tip of my finger and they hunt, jump, and "catch" the food. Now when my kids stick their fingers in the tanks, the bettas bite them too. lol

 

[rebrn]

well I guess the fish store told me something right for a change. I just tend not to trust them since they told me to had 6 fish to cycle my 5 gallon tank and do no water changes for a minimum of 1 month. I know bizzare, needless to say I didn't listen to them. Anyway I guess they were right about the mirror though . Well I picked one up, so everything is ready for my new betta just wating for cycling to be complete. Thanks again guys.