Reflective Background, Betta Flaring Constantly...

[ab420]

I got 2 Bettas yesterday, and they are in a tank with a divider. They flared at eachother for maybe 20 seconds, and now show no interest in each other at all. One of them is very mellow and swims around happily, but the other is ALWAYS flaring. The background on the aquarium is reflective, and he sees his reflection and flares at himself all the time. He doesn't "attack" or anything like that, but he is fully flared at least 50% of the time.

Is this bad for him? Will it stress him out a lot? The other Betta looks at his reflection A LOT, but never flares at it (I think he knows its him, and he's just vain... lol!)

 

[e11cloud]

Keep an eye on him...he could hurt himself. Some bettas do fine with lots of flaring. I think it depends on the fins. After a few days, he might decide not to flare as much. I have a betta that flares very often...and he doesn't damage his fins. He's just full of it, and I think he'd be beside himself if I took away his mirror! LOL

 

[ab420]

Keep an eye on him...he could hurt himself. Some bettas do fine with lots of flaring. I think it depends on the fins. After a few days, he might decide not to flare as much. I have a betta that flares very often...and he doesn't damage his fins. He's just full of it, and I think he'd be beside himself if I took away his mirror! LOL

He seems to be mellowing out more now that he's been in there a while. NOw he pretty much only flares up when I first turn the light on, almost like he forgets about the reflection. I figure once the tank has been going a little while, and the back gets a small layer of algae, it won't reflect as well anymore, so that will probably help as well. I'm not really sure what I could do though, as he actually seems to flare more at the uncovered side of the tank than he does at the back with the reflective covering... strange...

I do have to say though, he is GORGEOUS when his fins are all flared!!! My blue and black betta instantly changes colors! (sort of...)

He has bright red stripes on his front fins (sorry don't know the proper name) and red behind his gills, so when he flares up, all of the sudden, this vivid red emerges through the dark blue and black, VERY striking, and it DEFINITELY gets the point across that he's angry! He seems to be very happy and healthy, and flaring less and less, so I think he will be fine. Thanks for the help!

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

yes its all a matter of opinion some people say you should have a mirror in the tank all day others say for only 15 minute periods... if his fins start to rip or tear then that could become a problem...

 

[e11cloud]

Keep an eye on him...he could hurt himself. Some bettas do fine with lots of flaring. I think it depends on the fins. After a few days, he might decide not to flare as much. I have a betta that flares very often...and he doesn't damage his fins. He's just full of it, and I think he'd be beside himself if I took away his mirror! LOL

He seems to be mellowing out more now that he's been in there a while. NOw he pretty much only flares up when I first turn the light on, almost like he forgets about the reflection. I figure once the tank has been going a little while, and the back gets a small layer of algae, it won't reflect as well anymore, so that will probably help as well. I'm not really sure what I could do though, as he actually seems to flare more at the uncovered side of the tank than he does at the back with the reflective covering... strange...

I do have to say though, he is GORGEOUS when his fins are all flared!!! My blue and black betta instantly changes colors! (sort of...)

He has bright red stripes on his front fins (sorry don't know the proper name) and red behind his gills, so when he flares up, all of the sudden, this vivid red emerges through the dark blue and black, VERY striking, and it DEFINITELY gets the point across that he's angry! He seems to be very happy and healthy, and flaring less and less, so I think he will be fine. Thanks for the help!

Sounds like a normal betta to me! I think he'll do just fine...they like to flare, it's good for them and provides entertainment. Since he isn't constantly flaring, and he's doing it less and less, that's a good sign. Keep the tank the way he is...if he hasn't over extended himself yet, chances are (but I do say chances) that he'll be cool with it. Congrats! In my opinion, a flaring betta is the best betta to have...it shows them off more.