Feisty Betta

My new betta, Major Tom, seems to have discovered his very faint reflection in the back of my tank this morning. It has a permanent black backing to it that came with the tank (which I bought off Facebook Marketplace, so you get what you get). He's not hurting himself on the wall because he's not inherently aggressive, but he's been flared for at least 2 hours now. He stopped to eat, but he went right back to it. All my past bettas who have found their reflection in the tank would notice it, flare for less than a minute, and then lose interest. It's amusing now, but any advice if it's still happening by this afternoon? I know it's not good for them to flare TOO much. Thanks!

 

Try putting some plants or decor along the back to help cover up/break up reflective surfaces. That's usually the easiest thing to try.

 

Thanks! I've got 2 pretty big plants back there now, a fake one and a little wisteria forest, but he's finding a way. I'll be getting frogbit in the mail soon, which will hopefully help to soften the light on his favorite side of the tank, but that's still a few days away.

 

Thanks! I've got 2 pretty big plants back there now, a fake one and a little wisteria forest, but he's finding a way. I'll be getting frogbit in the mail soon, which will hopefully help to soften the light on his favorite side of the tank, but that's still a few days away.

I have a couple of fake plants that are too big for my tank that i spread horizantally so they really break up the reflection. Don't see him flaring at himself anymore which is good, because sometimes then it would make him chase his tail to bite it.

 

Good advice! I'll see what I can do later today if it's still happening. He was still chasing his reflection when I went out to check on him, but he's not flaring as much, so he's probably getting tired.

 

Good advice! I'll see what I can do later today if it's still happening. He was still chasing his reflection when I went out to check on him, but he's not flaring as much, so he's probably getting tired.

Probably. Once he been in the tank for awhile alot of that may go away for the most part anyway from familiarity.

 

How is the light positioned? If possible try having the light angled away from the backdrop or move it in such a way that the light reflecting won't be as intense. You could also try adding something floating to block the light a little or some tannins to tint the water which could have the same effect.