a little story I thought was interesting

[akestler]

I have 2 bettas, a tiny red one named Polonius and a larger purple one named LeBeau. Up until recently, they were in separate containers. Polonius was in a 2 gallon tank and LeBeau was in a BettaSphere bowl. When Polonius saw his reflection in his tank, he would flare his gills and his fins, swim up and down along the tank wall, and just act very aggressively for hours on end. When LeBeau saw his reflection in his bowl, he would flare, then back off almost instantly and act afraid that the scary rival betta (actually himself) was flaring at him. I always thought this was rather humorous and cute, since Polonius is so small and LeBeau is so big, yet Polonius was majorly aggressive and LeBeau was afraid of his own reflection.

Now I have them both in the same 5 gallon tank with a clear tank divider. I assumed that Polonius would be flaring like crazy and trying to attack LeBeau with all his might, and LeBeau would be cowering in the corner in fear. Well, ever since the moment I put them in the tank, LeBeau has been right up against the divider, flaring his gills and fins and trying to get to Polonius. Polonius doesn't act scared, but he doesn't flare back either. He either just stares at LeBeau as if to say "Man, you look like an idiot", or else completely ignores him and swims around his side of the tank, checking out his new digs. Such personalities my babies have! Just thought this was a kind of interesting story I wanted to share.

[Rachel]

That's quite true that you never really know how bettas will act together (next to each other) until they're actually put into place. How are they liking each other's company at this point?

[akestler]

LeBeau is still flaring at Polonius most of the time, though he has calmed down a little bit. Polonius still hasn't taken any retaliatory action, he doesn't really seem fazed by it at all. Sometimes he swims up to the divider and just kind of looks at LeBeau when he's flaring, but just acts more curious than scared or angry or anything else. Other times he hides in his plant or just ignores LeBeau and goes about his business. A couple of days ago, they had a little bubble nest contest, but they both seem to have abandoned that venture. I'm having so much fun just watching them interact with each other and display their different personalities. Sometimes I'll sit down at my desk with the intention of doing some homework, but then end up just watching my bettas. They're not very good for my schoolwork, but oh well.