OK, SO I JUST GOT MY BETTA A FEW DAYS AGO, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, TODAY WHEN I WENT TO CHECK UP ON HIM, HE PUSHED HIS GILLS OUT AND MADE HIS FINS AND TAIL REALLY WIDE. DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS??
2006-09-05 15:35:54 · 10 answers · asked by Alicia J 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
That is his threat display, and nothing to worry about. If he was scared he'd be hiding. Some betta (mostly crowntails) do that a lot at all sorts of things. They seem to like the stimulation every so often. I'd get a small mirror and put it beside his bowl. Let him talk smack for a 1/2 hour or so once or twice a week. It tend to prevent them from being bored. Don't be surprised if he starts building a bubble nest. (Males do that all the time it's not a desire to mate.) I don't advise leaving the mirror out for a long time as it will stress him out if he can't get away from it. At home I push my male's tanks together once a week for smack talk time.
PS- Also see the betta talk link.
2006-09-05 19:22:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is called "flaring". It is a sign that your betta is healthy. Bettas will flare for each other and sometimes randomly. They are an aggressive fish and it is part of what they are. It is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. Hold up a mirror where he can see it and he will do it again when he sees his reflection. It is fine for him to spend some time flaring it gives him exercise. Good luck to you and your new found friend. Have a great and healthy time with him.
2006-09-05 19:08:13 · answer #2 · answered by Charis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Betta's are aggressive fish. There aren't many fish that can cohabit with them. Fanning their gills out is an aggressive action to movement. Try putting a hand mirror in front of the tank. They think it's their rival.
2006-09-05 15:49:03 · answer #3 · answered by seeya 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That means he wants to "fight"...
Show him his reflection in a small hand mirror and he will flare up, thinking he is seeing a rival fish.
It is normal behavior for a betta, and it's harmless.
2006-09-06 03:00:00 · answer #4 · answered by crazyotto65 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was getting in fighting mode. He may have seen his reflection in the tank; he should do the same thing if you put a mirror beside his tank.
2006-09-06 03:36:40 · answer #5 · answered by jacemo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is a sign of aggression. He will also do this to himself in the mirror. Its just his way of saying GET AWAY! Remember he just came out of a store where 100 people just tapped on his tank. Give him time. He will get used to you as his supplier of food.
2006-09-05 15:39:46 · answer #6 · answered by sr22racing 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL he saw you as a threat, or he saw his own reflection. He was trying to scare you or his reflection away by showing off how big he is.
2006-09-05 16:58:53 · answer #7 · answered by wotana02 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is normal when they see their reflection to do this. They make themselves look more threatening and big. Go to www.bettatalk.com for great info.
2006-09-05 15:38:36 · answer #8 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to bettatalk.com great site
2006-09-05 17:20:37 · answer #9 · answered by sonic 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he's MAD at you..... =P
2006-09-05 15:40:54 · answer #10 · answered by HUSTLiN' Babii 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋