Is there such a thing as too much flaring?

[74nny4]

Ohhh I'm in a dilemma right now. I got a 1/2 for christmas and have just purchased a fish (the original got fungus before I even got it as an x-mas present and was taken back to the petstore and then another died of fungus 2 weeks after I got him ) Anyway, I just got another fishy (they were all from the same pet store) two days ago and yesterday he wasn't looking too good (fins all clenched together) so I figured that it must be because the water isn't warm enough so I went out and got him a little 7watt lamp that goes on the top of the lid. It's not really direct light because it has to go through two sheets of green plastic. Anyway, when I turn the light on, my betta (UGH still haven't thought of a name for him) started flaring like mad, and started attacking the side of the tank!!! He stops right after I turn off the light, but the whole point of the light is to try to keep him warm!!! But now I'm scared that he'll over exert himself when the light is on. WHat should I do???
Any help will be greatly appreciated!!!
(sorry this was so long, oh, and also if someone already posted something similar, I'd go and tried to find one, but I need a solution FAST!)

[Cheart99]

Sounds exactly what my betta did for the first 3 weeks to almost a month after i got him. He is most likley seeing his reflection or shadow in the tank and flaring at that. Eventually mine realized that those reflections were either not a threat or really him and he stoped doing it. What kind of tank did you buy? my tank is a 3.3 gallon closed tank. Its lide is kind of turquise with vents cut into it. Yours sounds kinds like mine.
Anyway as for the clamped fins that could be cause by a lot of stuff. Be easier to tell if we knew what temp the water was, ammonia, nitritr, ph, ect levels are in the tank, food,ect.

[Bettaman]

Sounds like he is seeing his reflection in the glass when you turn the light on and he thinks it's another Betta. In some cases he will eventually get used to that reflection unless the reflection is so bright that he just keeps getting distracted by it.

Bettas do not like bright lights. They have no eyelids and it's important to allow them a normal day/night light cycle so be sure to keep him in a dark area in the evenings when lights in the house may be turned on.

As far as his flaring, it can stress him out if he is constatantly seeing his reflection so it's not good to keep him in an invironment where he feels the need to be flared for long periods. Stress can lead to other illnesses. You might try a small heater pad under the bowl to regulate the temperature instead of the lamp. You may be able to adjust the lamp so the angle of the light on the glass does not present such a strong reflection. Temperature regulation is the main reason why I do not like keeping Bettas in any bowl, jar or tank that is too small to fit a regular thermostat controled aquarium heater. Bettas do not tolorate more than a 2 degree temperature change per day.

My recommendation would be to put him in a nice 5 gallon tank with a heater and you'll make him so happy he'll blow you bubbles all day long. Hope that helps you.

[74nny4]

yay!!! I think he's use to to the light now.. he has stopped flaring now and only flares at his reflection in a mirror. Well, I have one of those 0.5 gallon "betta starter kit" tanks with a lid with little slits on the sides and two holes on top to fasten the light to. I am using a dark coloured handkerchief to wrap it around the light (there is a little slit between the lid of the tank and the bottom of the light) during the night because not only would it bother the fish, it would keep me awake at night too.. haha.. I think I got up every 5-10min last night to look at him to make sure he's ok and had a hard time falling asleep. Well, I used a dark colored sock, last night, instead of a handkerchief so it wasn't bright for the fish, but light was getting through the sides and I think it bothered my puppy too he kept on grunting in his sleep hehe... sorry if all that sounds confusing, I'll try to post some pics when I figure out how.

Well, I think he's a lot better now. I think that day he had his fins all clenched together because he was so stressed out about the move. He's a lot more active now and has started eating today (Hikari (sp?) freeze-dried bloodworms). I did buy one of those stick-on thermometer things but I don't think it's working . I plan on getting a better thermometer soon and some pH, ammoni etc testing kits before the next water change.

Anyway, thanks for all the help!!! This forum is the awsomest !!! I'm hoping that I can slowly upgrade him to a better tank with the works, but for now I think he'll be ok... probably better off than in one of those pet store cups . Gotta get some money saved up first (not-really-starving-but-still-tight-on-money student here) THANKS again for all the advice!!!;D