Betta fish will flare to make themselves look bigger. This usually happens when threatened. In this short article I am happy to answer the most common questions about Betta flaring.
What Will You Learn?
- What Is Betta fish flaring?
- Why does My Betta flare?
- Will flaring stress my Betta?
- Why is my Betta flaring at me?
- Will a female betta flare?
- How do I get my Betta to stop flaring?
- How to stop my Betta fighting?
What Is Betta Fish Flaring?
Flaring is the act of puffing up the gill flaps of Betta fish. This puts the fish in an inflated state, making him look larger than he is.
Why Does My Betta Fish Flare?
Your Betta fish flares for a few reasons.
Defending Territory
In the wild, a Betta will flare to drive an intruder out of her territory.
Usually, such a confrontation ends with one of the fish backing away. Please note that in a small tank such aggression can lead to injury, as there is not enough room to back away.
Stretching
Sometimes your Betta fish might flare to stretch her muscles. Some people recommend using a mirror to make your fish flare at her reflection as a way to exercise. For a few minutes, two times a week is enough.
Attracting A Mate
Bettas flaring is part of flirting. If the male starts building a bubble nest you know that he is preparing to mate. Flaring at such an occasion is flirting behavior.
Reflection
Reflection can be another reason for your beta to flare. Be aware that flaring all the time can stress and wear your fish down. Try to see what causes the reflection and fix it.
Tank mate
Bettas a territorial and introducing a tank mate can make them aggressive. It is not advised having two males in a tank smaller than 10 gallons. A male with a female are a better choice, but even then you have to keep an eye on them.
Will Flaring Stress Your Betta?
The majority of flares are an aggressive reaction to external stimuli.
As is usually the case with stress, a bit is fine , but too much has a host of negative consequences. Too much stress can among other things suppress the immune system. Or just make them lose their appetite.
On the other hand, some flaring can be similar to a work-out and is not a cause for concern.
Why is my Betta flaring at me?
Your fish might get stressed and perceive you as a threat. This might happen if you come close to your aquarium or if you put your fingers in it. A bit of flaring is no cause for concern.
Will A Female Betta flare?
Female Betta flare too. Females are generally less territorial than males. They flare less often and when they do it is mostly not out of aggression.
Female Betta are not as flashy as males since they have smaller fins. They are less aggressive so you can have some female Bettas in the same tank.
You can keep a male with a female together, but lookout for signs of bullying and be prepared to separate the fish if needed.
Having plenty of plants and hiding places helps your Betta find privacy from tank mates.
How Do I Get My Betta Fish To Stop Flaring?
You may not be able to stop it completely, however, there are ways to minimize it. Try finding out and removing the perceived threat.
How To Stop My Betta Fighting?
You should only have a male fish in each tank to prevent fights between the fish. Use aquarium backgrounds or cardboard to block visual contact between neighboring tanks.
In Summary
Bettas flare mainly because they are territorially aggressive.
Providing your Betta with a little flaring is not harmful and will provide him with stimulation and exercise. Too much flaring stresses them and might make them more susceptible to disease. Healthy fish enjoy their entire lifespan when they are relaxed, happy, and at peace.
If you want to learn more about Betta’s behavior, advice, and tips, please visit our collection of Betta Tips Articles.
About the author
Hi, I am Alex.
My passion is aquariums. I am especially drawn to betta fish. I love experimenting, learning, researching, and writing about them.
You can find the articles I wrote here
