How Much Flaring Is Normal And At What Point To Be Concerned?

Hello,

So I’ve just picked up a pretty much brand new fish (last Friday) and this guy seems a lot more aggressive than any other fish that I’ve had. I’m used to the Bettas flaring a little bit at the tank wall and dark patches on the background wallpaper but this new fish struts and flares as he patrols the whole tank, but especially at the background and me, or the filter even if the lights are off and he shouldn’t even be able to see his reflection on the walls. I’ve only had him a few days. Should I remove the background? Get more plants to break up the reflection? Or is this something some Bettas do for the first week in a new tank and he’ll relax eventually? He still seems a bit nervous in the new tank, today he FINALLY explored all the caves I’ve given him to hide in.

Also, if you have any thoughts on his tail type that’d be great too. He was labeled as ‘bumblebee’ whatever that means. Also, the rip on the tail was already there when I got him. I figured it’d heal up in my clean and cycled tank. I’m not sure what blowout looks like...

Thanks!

 

by flaring.....he's opening up his gills and stuff right. I have met more than a handful of people who think they flare when their fins are opened out so just checking?

Any mirrors close to his tank?
Any shiny or colourful things around his tank?
Any more bettas around him?

 

Ehhh don't think that's a either a "Rosetail" or "Delta", likely a Delta. And he's just doing what he does by his own nature: flares at a lot of things. A lot of times they flare things with provoking colors, such as other fish, animated objects, animals, reflections people etc. Just give him time to adjust and he should chill out and IF this previous home was a "Betta bowl", he'll likely be very very grateful once he gets used to his new home! You both will most likely!

 

by flaring.....he's opening up his gills and stuff right. I have met more than a handful of people who think they flare when their fins are opened out so just checking?

Any mirrors close to his tank?
Any shiny or colourful things around his tank?
Any more bettas around him?

Ah! Thanks for the reply. He doing a little of both. I didn’t know there’s a difference between the two. He’s splaying them out pretty wide as you see here and opening gills at the rear tank wall. The tank background is a bit colorful. Green/blue grass colors. No other Bettas nearby and no mirrors. He does seem to have a beef with some colorful objects including my phone case.

Ehhh don't think that's a either a "Rosetail" or "Delta", likely a Delta. And he's just doing what he does by his own nature: flares at a lot of things. A lot of times they flare things with provoking colors, such as other fish, animated objects, animals, reflections people etc. Just give him time to adjust and he should chill out and IF this previous home was a "Betta bowl", he'll likely be very very grateful once he gets used to his new home! You both will most likely!

Thanks! Yep, he’s newly released from the 8oz pet store cup a few days ago.

 

Ah! Thanks for the reply. He doing a little of both. I didn’t know there’s a difference between the two. The tank background is a bit colorful. Green/blue grass colors. No other Bettas nearby.

ok...well from what I know flaring is only when the gills are opened up. He looke to be a halfmoon but i'm no expert with bettas.
Maybe remove the background and see what happens

 

ok...well from what I know flaring is only when the gills are opened up. He looke to be a halfmoon but i'm no expert with bettas.
Maybe remove the background and see what happens

Thanks for the clarification! I figured the very wide fin display was part of it. I’ll try removing the background.

 

Yes, and most importantly: pretty much anything alive on this planet needs time to adjust to new living spaces. People, cats, dogs, fish, horses, birds, plants etc. And especially bettas given their defenseive nature/disposition! Be patient with him. And with your colorful and semi-trippy decor, I bet he kinda feels like he's in Wonderland now! lol...

 

Yes, and most importantly: pretty much anything alive on this planet needs time to adjust to new living spaces. People, cats, dogs, fish, horses, birds, plants etc. And especially bettas given their defenseive nature/disposition! Be patient with him. And with your colorful and semi-trippy decor, I bet he kinda feels like he's in Wonderland now! lol...

Ha! Thanks yeah those pet store cups are so sterile, I imagine a good deal of it might be sensory overload! Thanks for the help. I just don’t want him to hurt himself trying to duel with his ‘rival’ in the tank wall. Haha! I’m trying keep his periods of light on the mellower side while he adjusts. Hopefully he’ll figure out he’s the unchallenged king of the new turf soon.

 

give him a week or so....

 

Thank you both for the the help and advice. Much appreciated!

 

Congrats on your new friend, he's beautiful!!!
Just keep an eye on the flaring, if it's excessive, he can blow pinholes in his fins.
Experiment a bit with your tank lighting and room lighting, as well as removing the background to see if any of those changes help him out. Agreed, he will need a few days to settle in, so give him some time, and with trial and error, see how he's happiest! Be sure to keep his water nice and clean, so any tears in his fins will heal up quick.

 

Congrats on your new friend, he's beautiful!!!
Just keep an eye on the flaring, if it's excessive, he can blow pinholes in his fins.
Experiment a bit with your tank lighting and room lighting, as well as removing the background to see if any of those changes help him out. Agreed, he will need a few days to settle in, so give him some time, and with trial and error, see how he's happiest! Be sure to keep his water nice and clean, so any tears in his fins will heal up quick.

Thank you! And thanks for telling me what blowout looks like. I’ve heard of it but I didn’t know what it would look like. Thanks for the tips!

I wonder if I could get him a less colorful/busy tank background or if I’ll have to just remove it entirely. I guess I’ll find out. Thanks again!