To Flare Or Not To Flare

[BettaBoysGirl]

Just wanted to get peopls opinons on this. When i got my very first betta, a month ago, I always thought it was bad for them to see each other. After reading several books and such, I got the hint its not that bad, in fact it can make them happier. I currently have two bettas, and they did see each other, they would flare, and then swim off. After two weeks they seemed to seriously mellow out and merely watch one another. They are seperated at the moment, only becasue I didnt have another place to put my divided tank im currently cycling. Lol, They both pouted for like 3 days.

Anyhow, My question to you is, How do you feel about male bettas seeing each other? I've heard of people blocking the view of neighboring Bettas in a divided tank, becasue of the flaring. Im more curious what the consensus is.

 

[fish_tank0311]

Some people see it as cruel, to have them living next to each other so they can see each other, because they dont tolerate their own species. I dont think that you should have them next to each other, because: they are not the social fish that see their little friend next door, but rather a mortal enemy who must die. I strongly advise against it.

 

[loraxchick]

it may take a week or so, but they eventually will get *bored* of flaring at their neighbor all the time. they come to realize they cant "get to" the other fish. just have cover in the tank so they can get out of sight if hey need a rest. there is nothing wrong with housing bettas next to each other. if you are worried, put a piece of paper in between the tanks.
cheers

 

[MewMew42]

Im my divided tank my males can all see each other

but as its been said they have gotten bored now! They will flare if they catch a glimpse, but i dont believe that it is harming them

but you can get bettas that are terified, when i was having a re-shuffle i put one of my boys into teh divided tank, he became stressed and mopey so i put him back

I think it depends on the bettas personality

 

[silverrabbit]

Same as MewMew, mine can all see each other in my divided tanks, and they do get bored of seeing each other. I had one exception, who i've moved to his own tank, and he's chilled out.

Personally, I don't think it's a huge problem if they see each other... only if one gets really anxious and starts tail biting or something

 

[GuppyGoddess]

I wouldn't want my bettas to see each other mainly because I saw how stressful it was for one of my females to have other fish in her tank. They weren't bettas, but still the stress really stood out in my mind as impacting her health.

 

[Larkspur]

I've only had mine in a divided tank for about an hour. Just got my 2nd today. Was worried they would stress each other, but so far more than anything it gives them something to do. They don't flare or stress. They do however catch an occasional glimpse of their separated tank mate and will kind of watch curiously.

 

[Chard56]

I've read comments about stressing them out and ripping their fins. Personally my Betta's can see each other 14 hours a day 7 days a week and if they get bored looking and flaring at one guy they turn around and flare at the one on the other side. I also have mirrors to exercise them with. I have been breeding and raising Betta's off and on for over 40 years and have yet to see one get stressed out or tear a fin flaring all day long. As far as I can tell it comes down to the pansy's thinking. "How would you like to be cooped up and flare at your neighbor all day and get stressed. They need a plant and a treasure chest and a diver and..and.. B*ll Sh*it. I raise Betta's for the enjoyment of watching them flare and flash their gills and beautiful fins. NOT to watch a docile droopy looking pitiful wretch of a fish slowly paddling about his merry way. Ech! Sorry and thanks for me venting.

 

[BettaBoysGirl]

I've read comments about stressing them out and ripping their fins. Personally my Betta's can see each other 14 hours a day 7 days a week and if they get bored looking and flaring at one guy they turn around and flare at the one on the other side. I also have mirrors to exercise them with. I have been breeding and raising Betta's off and on for over 40 years and have yet to see one get stressed out or tear a fin flaring all day long. As far as I can tell it comes down to the pansy's thinking. "How would you like to be cooped up and flare at your neighbor all day and get stressed. They need a plant and a treasure chest and a diver and..and.. B*ll Sh*it. I raise Betta's for the enjoyment of watching them flare and flash their gills and beautiful fins. NOT to watch a docile droopy looking pitiful wretch of a fish slowly paddling about his merry way. Ech! Sorry and thanks for me venting.

Hey Chard, I agree with you. And to be honest, out of the three expert books I have, they even go as far as saying that a flaring betta is a healthier betta then the ones who are hidden. I was merely curious of the consensus. I totally plan to let my bettas see each other when my betta condo is finished cycling and they all move in. As I said before, my two males literally pouted and looked depressed when I seperated them from seeing one another. Ill admit I was one who thought flaring was stressful. Its a common myth around the people I know, and doesn't help the big chain pet stores (and walmart) feed the myth. (Guess to get you to buy more stuff?) But I trust experts, especially those wh seem to all agree with each other. So don't be sorry for ranting. You're right up there with faith from betta talk, adam short, and one other guy who I can't recall his name, whose book I have at home. Yea I'm a little iffy on mixing a betta with other fish, not for the other fishes but the actual betta. Was thinking zebra fish?

 

[BettaCrazy7]

It merely depends on the personality of the betta. For example, I would never put my sally next to another betta; she gets extremely stressed. With my betta Sparta I would only let him see bettas for a short period of time. He'll flare at them for awhile then he gets stressed. Then Snap Dragon and Sophie are in a divided tank and they don't flare anymore. In fact I think they like each other . When they do catch a glimpse of each other they will flare their fins but not their beards. Lots of times Snap Dragon will just stare at Sophie, like in the picture in my signature. (He's the green one staring at the white one)