constant flaring

[firepunk]

I recently purchased a betta, and he is living in a 5 gallon tank. Earlier, I wanted to see him flare, so I held a mirror up to the tank for a few moments, and sure enough, he flared up mighty big.

I left for a few hours, and when I came back, he was flaring, at nothing. Now he is swimming around, flaring at everything. the fake plants, his hidey hole, the thermometer, me, the gravel, everything!

Is this normal behavior, or a problem? I read somewhere that flaring for prolonged periods of time, really sucks the energy out of them. I knew that they flared up, but this seems like an awful lot of flaring. He is the only fish in the tank, so I really dont know what he is flaring for. There are no other fish anywhere.

He's very active, no rips or tears in his fins, he seems happy. He hadn't flared until today though, so perhaps he is just testing his flare out?

[Brandi]

I've had some guys act kind of like that. Once I showed them the mirror they flared, then when I took it away they continued flaring at various things in the tank. None of mine did it for hours though.

He's probably just feeling a bit territorial right now. It's possible that he might notice his reflection lightly in the tank walls and think it's another fish too.

Since you just got him I'd wait and see if he settles in and calms down. My guys tend to flare a lot during the first few days after I first get them. Once they settle in to their territory they flare a lot less even though all my guys can see their neighbors 24 hours a day. I think they eventually learn that even though they see the other fish it isn't going to come in to their territory.

[Rachel - old]

firepunk said:

He hadn't flared until today though, so perhaps he is just testing his flare out?

That's what I think! I'm sure he's still getting used to his new surroundings and should settle down soon. Also, as Brandi mentioned, can he see his reflection on the tank walls?

[firepunk]

It appears that he can, depending on which way he is looking.

He seems to have calmed down a bit, over the night, although he's still showing off for me.

[ana]

heh

and bettas dont only flare agressively, they do it in play and they do it as a sign of affection

congratulations on your new betta he'll bring you lots of smiles