How to stop a betta from flaring.

My betta flares at his reflection all day, every day. Is this healthy? Should I let it be? I covered 3/4 sides of the tank and he flares at his reflection on the front glass. I had tank mates for him, 3 small harlequin rasboras, and one night I saw him attacking them. So now all he does is flare at himself. I am thinking of getting shrimp to keep him distracted, but it seems like he would hunt them down & kill them all.

 

try to figure out what is causing the reflection and remove the source. In my tank, a reflection occurs when the tank light is on and the room is dark. If this is your scenario, you can limit the reflection by turning off/dimming the aquarium light or making it so that the room is not dark. You may want to consider moving the tank to a different spot.

 

He's most likely flaring at his own reflection from bright lighting. Bettas dont know they are seeing themselves, but rather another male betta so overtime he will become very stressed from flaring , thinking another bettas is trying to attack.
I would heavily tint the water with some Tannin so he can't see his reflection anymore. Make sure you condition before adding the Tannin Tea and make sure its heavily tinted. Tannin is recommended in betta tanks and will help with fin growth as well. Also, does your tank have a background? I would use a background for the back , cover the other sides with plants and tint the water . Thats should help his flaring issue and yes too much flaring will cause stress and lead to fin nipping.

 

Sounds like you have an agressive little guy! Some bettas are like that. Have you had him long? Is it a big tank? Do you have plants or a lot of silk decor?

Most would say it's not healthy, but for some bettas, it's just how they are...remember they were bred to fight (unfortunately).

Sounds like you are doing everything that you can...

My fish will do the same times. I will sometimes cover the entire tank to make him stop. I put different things into the tank to distract him. I change his decor around often. I change his lighting level. But sometimes, nothing works.

 

Sounds like you have an agressive little guy! Some bettas are like that. Have you had him long? Is it a big tank? Do you have plants or a lot of silk decor?

Most would say it's not healthy, but for some bettas, it's just how they are...remember they were bred to fight (unfortunately).

Sounds like you are doing everything that you can...

My fish will do the same times. I will sometimes cover the entire tank to make him stop. I put different things into the tank to distract him. I change his decor around often. I change his lighting level. But sometimes, nothing works.

I totally understand. Yes, he seems aggressive and I don't mind that so long as it doesn't harm his health. I have him for almost two weeks now. It's a 5.5 gallons and I don't have many plants as I threw most away after my previous betta (also a red veil tail) died. The previous betta was calmer than this younger one. I have some plants on order at the moment and I am thinking to add shrimp to keep him busy but after I make them little caves and wood.

 

He's most likely flaring at his own reflection from bright lighting. Bettas dont know they are seeing themselves, but rather another male betta so overtime he will become very stressed from flaring , thinking another bettas is trying to attack.
I would heavily tint the water with some Tannin so he can't see his reflection anymore. Make sure you condition before adding the Tannin Tea and make sure its heavily tinted. Tannin is recommended in betta tanks and will help with fin growth as well. Also, does your tank have a background? I would use a background for the back , cover the other sides with plants and tint the water . Thats should help his flaring issue and yes too much flaring will cause stress and lead to fin nipping.

Tannin is a great idea, thanks.