Cody

i put my moms betta in my 5.5 gallon...and i noticed..him looking at his reflection and then sreading his gill like completly opening them up....i think i read somewhere ..somtihng about them like challanging the other male..is it doing that cuase it thinks its reflection is anohter fish...or whats going on

Allie

Jasper has been doing the same thing a lot, new tank & all. it's their fighter stance. Yup they can see themselves in the glass.

Tom

It's just him flaring at the reflection to try and intimidate the other Betta instead of fighting.
Tom

Cody

thanks thats what i thougt...i rememberd reading that somewhere...its pretty crazy if you have ever seen it

Tazmiche

Yeah it's funny. Flame does it alot but i have NEVR seen Spot do it or flare, he is so laid back!!

COBettaCouple

does he do it continuously or a lot? if so, you might try using a lamp nearby to take away the reflection that he sees.

Cody

not alot .just a little here and there

COBettaCouple

cool.. that shouldn't cause him any harm.

Cody

if it was more constant could it cause harm...like...idk strain on a muscle or somthing..lol im not to up to day on the fish anatomy...it goes...head, tail/tail fin side fin ...top fin...bottom fin...thats about it lol

nmwierman1977

It won't really cause him any physical harm, but if he is constantly doing it it will stress him out considerably. Natalie