Betta Attacking Heater

Hey!

My betta was recently sick with single side popeye and he had some discoloration on the same side due to a infection probably from the low temp in his bowl.The pet store assured me he would be fine in the bowl, but after reading up I realised they were wrong.(I always checked water perameters and did changes daily) Anyways, I ran to the store and got him a 10 gallon tank with a slow flow filter and a heater and a temp monitor. He is now healthy and looks a lot better. He is a lot more active in the bigger tank with the right temperature. He seems happy, but he keeps flaring at his heater. I'm not sure about what to do. He usualy swims around. But about 5 minutes an hour he swims around the heater and flares. What should I do?

 

He seems happy, but he keeps flaring at his heater. I'm not sure about what to do. He usualy swims around. But about 5 minutes an hour he swims around the heater and flares. What should I do?

How long has he been in the new tank? It's possible he's just adjusting, or he's naturally aggressive/flamboyant. All the bettas I've had/have love to flare and show off whenever I wave something colorful in front of them or put my face close to the tank.

Two of my three bettas glass-surfed for awhile before they settled into their tanks, so you can give your boy a week or two to get adjusted. If he's still flaring at the heater, you can try putting some plants or decorations in to block the view and/or give him places to hide in. What does his tank look like currently, so far as other things in it?

 

How long has he been in the new tank? It's possible he's just adjusting, or he's naturally aggressive/flamboyant. All the bettas I've had/have love to flare and show off whenever I wave something colorful in front of them or put my face close to the tank.

Two of my three bettas glass-surfed for awhile before they settled into their tanks, so you can give your boy a week or two to get adjusted. If he's still flaring at the heater, you can try putting some plants or decorations in to block the view and/or give him places to hide in. What does his tank look like currently, so far as other things in it?

He has been in the new tank for a week. I had to rush him in due to his illness. I brougt some of the old water along to get the cycle sped up. He shares his tank with a new friend, a tiny pleco. He has 3 plants and some grass spread around. He has two driftwood logs and that's about it.

 

He is probably just getting used to the new tank, but I'm afraid the pleco will get much too large for your tank and will add a lot to the bioload. Since the tank is still cycling and the pleco is there as well (I would rehome him asap) I would do daily water changes to keep the water quality good

 

He is probably just getting used to the new tank, but I'm afraid the pleco will get much too large for your tank and will add a lot to the bioload. Since the tank is still cycling and the pleco is there as well (I would rehome him asap) I would do daily water changes to keep the water quality good

I am changing 25% of the water every day. Treated of course. Will keep doing that for 2 weeks plus. Doing daily water testing before and after changes. The pleco will be rehomed when he grows too large. But right now he is bearly half an inch. And I heard they grow slowly? Might double the tank size at some point.

 

If he wants to fight the heater, let him fight the heater lol. If it's one of those glass ones, maybe he's seeing his own reflection.

I would only start to worry if a week passes and he's still fighting the heater.

 

If he wants to fight the heater, let him fight the heater lol. If it's one of those glass ones, maybe he's seeing his own reflection.

I would only start to worry if a week passes and he's still fighting the heater.

He is only attacking the plastic protective cap at the bottom. Haha! But hopefully they will become friendly over the coming week. He does in fact sleep next to it st night.

 

He is only attacking the plastic protective cap at the bottom. Haha! But hopefully they will become friendly over the coming week.

Yeah, I think he's probably just adjusting. I personally would give him a bit more surface cover if you can; bettas might act a bit nervous if they feel that the surface is too exposed.

 

I know my betta will flare at my heater's light when it changes color; maybe he thinks it's out to get him! I just let him do it since he doesn't seem to do it very often. Just keep an eye on him and keep us posted.

 

I am changing 25% of the water every day. Treated of course. Will keep doing that for 2 weeks plus. Doing daily water testing before and after changes. The pleco will be rehomed when he grows too large. But right now he is bearly half an inch. And I heard they grow slowly? Might double the tank size at some point.

As long as the pleco is there you will probably have to keep doing daily water changes to keep the water clean so your betta doesn't get fin rot.

 

Hey y’all! I recently started a tank with my new betta, Apple. I noticed he is constantly flaring at the heater, swimming circles around it and nipping at it. Is this normal? Should I let him adjust or should I try to hide the heater with plants?
Thanks!!!

 

It sounds like he sees his reflection in the heater as another male and is attacking it. It is not normal and he'll probably keep trying to attack it so I suggest you try to hide it or get a heater cover for it.

 

Does the heater have an indicator light in it? Some of my bettas have had problems with attacking the indicator light. Sometimes they got used to it but other times I had to cover the heater with plants.

 

Thank you! I will look into that.

 

Get a heater guard