Is it normal for a Betta fish to attack his reflection at night?

Question

He thinks it's another betta. I know about the whole, they attack other bettas. I am worried he will stress himself out to much.

Answer 1

Yes Betta fish are very aggresive and will attack most fish they see . Never mix fish with a betta fish inevitably one will die. He is probobly thinking there is another fish in the tank. They are very territorial fish goodluck

Answer 2

Showing a mirror to your Betta is fine (I'm assuming that your smart enough to hold the mirror on the outside of the tank and not put it on the inside of the tank here, like some people mentioned). Seeing their reflection and allowing them to flare is actually good for them. It stimulates him, and gets his system working to it's full capacity, sort of like a workout in a gym. You can show it to him for maybe 10 minutes at a time without worring about stressing him out. After you show him the mirror a few times, he will figure it out that it's him, and not another Betta, but he'll still have fun with it, kind of like those body builders showing off their muscles. If he doesn't flare at the mirror, you'll know he's sick.
Also, about the people who posted the answers concerning Betta's and other fish, they need to do some research. While it's true that male Betta's should never be put in a tank with another Betta (unless you have a tank that's at least six foot long), they do get along with most other NON-AGRESSIVE fish. Good choices to put in a tank with a Betta are Tetra Neon's, Mollies, Danios and Cory Catfish. Bad choices are Barbs, Goldfish and Fancy Guppies. Basically, if the fish doesn't have long flowing fins, isn't aggressive, and likes the same degree of water, your fine (in a tank that's at least a 10 gallon tank). Do make sure that schooling fish don't pick on your Betta though (sometimes schooling fish can turn into a gang). Make sure that the tank is big enough to handle all of the fish that you put in the tank, keep the tank very clean and give your Betta lots of places to hide. If you use a filter that creates a current, then some floating plants or driftwood will help give your Betta a place to rest (most Betta's aren't crazy about currents in their tanks and it can stress them out).

Answer 3

I think I might can help you on this one. I had a betta fish for quite some time. I had him sitting on my dresser and when ever he could see himself in the mirror he would try to attack his reflection. Its just in their nature. But if your let a betta fish get too stressed out it could kill him and he could kill or harm himself by trying to fight his reflection and hitting the sides of the bowl. Maybe you should try to put something around the sides of his bowl at night (not covering the top) so there might be less of a reflection.

Answer 4

The BETTA is a seemingly more known term now, than the SIAMESE FIGHTING FISH - this is their natural origin - to fight. Admittingly I can tell you that in todays age of aquarium fish, they are alot slower and calmer than they were when they were bred to attack on instinct to protect their territory in the wild. I would not worry TOO much about the stress, keep an eye on him to see if he is turning whiter, as alot will argue to water coditions, I will argue that this is a stress level caused by it. Hence whatch your water if you have him in a tiny betta tank, - and if it is the case try to upgrade him into a cheap 2ft tank with a mirror on the BACK of the glass, so he doesn't cut himself on it. During the hours you are awake he will be fanning himself in opposition at all times first off, then just when he swims past later on. Also put in some tetra fish, sucker fish and a few small cat fish (The suckers and cats will help you to clean it). He will like to have some small fish in with him to scare off so he feels like he is KING of the tank. I also added a few plants and rocks to explore when you sleep at night. (By this I mean that NO NATURAL FISH sleeps in the full dark - they need a MOONLIGHT effect so to have a normal sleep pattern - Now there is STRESS - an insomniac fish. - so put a small clear L.E.D light on the top) It will not cost you much at all, and you have the satisfaction that he can calm down and CRUISE the tank at night knowing he is the boss. (When the light is at the opposite side of the tank the DAY light he experiences from your house lighting will diminish and he will not see his opponent any more.He will then know that this is HIS territory !!) JUST WATCH HIM COLOR UP DURING THE DAYS!!!
BESIDES a betta is a beautiful fish IT SHOULD NOT be kept in the small jars they sell - THESE were for placing in rows to train the fish to fight in competiton times and it is not healthy for them - LET THEM EXPLORE something.
Hope this helps.

Answer 5

they may well be saved with different fish as long because of the fact the fish are: a million) no longer different bettas (male or lady). 2) no longer fin nippers 3) no longer aggressive 4) no longer lots greater advantageous or smaller than the betta. (you will finally end up as others nutrition) 5) Have an identical optimal temperature variety (maximum tropical fish will in positive condition this type) 6) does not have long fins (betta can confuse this sort of fish for yet another betta) I shop my betta by myself and he looks chuffed. he's healthful, retains on construction bubble nests, retains on attacking his mirrored image contained in the clear out, retains on patrolling his 10 gallon empire.

Answer 6

I know that they attack other betta fish so maybe he just sees his reflection. Maybe put black paper or something around the edges.

Answer 7

I have a Male Betta and he does that periodically too. It is very normal. It is part of their nature to attack another male, soooo he just thinks that is what it is.

Answer 8

I kept a mirror on the outside of the tank so it couldn't get cut if it broke by chance. after a while he got used to the "other fish" he'd look at it and fan out but he didn't swim around faster or anything.
If your fish is running into things while it's attacking, then i'd get rid of whatevers causing the reflection. you dont want him to get hurt do you?

Answer 9

Yes, it's normal. My betta did that when I first introduced him to his home... he flared and then attacked. But now he doesn't do it anymore, I think he learned, or the female betta is keeping him busy...

Answer 10

please dont buy betta fish they are confined to dirty bowls and vases. These tiny glass enclosures are hardly acceptable homes for bettas, who, in nature, swim in large ponds and streams. Sadly, many people buy betta fish because they think that they can “save them.” What they don’t realize is that this just creates a demand for them, so stores will just keep buying more and more fish, condemning them to miserable lives as a trinket or accessory in someone’s home. heres a site about them

http://www.peta2.com/TAKECHARGE/t-bettafish.asp