Betta and Mirror question

[Winnie]

So I got a betta for Christmas. Anyhoo, what are the feelings on having a mirror next to his house? All the time? Sometimes? Never? When the mirror is there, it's the only time he's halfways interesting to look at.

[Hatter]

I think it depends on the individual fish. I tried putting one up for my betta and it slammed itself into the tank glass repeatedly, so I took it down. I've seen other peoples betta simply flare at the reflection, then swim away. It seemed to amuse the fish without the reaction mine had. So, what I guess I'm trying to say is to leave it up if it's not stressing out/scaring the fish.

[DodgeIntrepidV6]

same when I had a betta. He constantly flared and attacked the mirror, thinking it's another male. Probably just causes unneeded stress on the fish.

[pinballqueen]

I used to have a mirror in my tank when I had a betta. He flared at it for about a week, then he figured out that there was nothing behind the mirror and left it alone...smart fish...

[O-man21]

I think it is fine to have a mirror in or next to the tank, if the fish doesn't hurt itself. I don't need on because mine flares at the congo tetras in the tank.

[pinballqueen]

BTW, how big is your betta's "house"? Hopefully not one of those itty-bitty boxes with a lid that they sell at WM...

[bettaman]

I use a mirror to give my betta a "workout" from time to time. I've actually done some research on this. It's good for the fish to see its reflection for about 15-20 minutes three or four times a week. Its been suggested that some bettas become dull or lonely when this exercise is left out.

[Pootspete]

I have a little mirror that I let my Beta look at his reflection maybe once a day for a minute or two. Not a prolong look.

[blee358]

Betta's will just flare up and charge at the mirror. After a couple times of not hitting a target they realize that nothings there and just leave it alone. It's kinda cool of how a betta will flare up and attack at it's own reflection though.

[goldfries]

it depends on the betta's personality.

i had bettas that charge non-stop at a mirror, i had bettas that charge for a while then minds his own business, i had bettas that have literally no interest in mirrors.

i would not recommend putting a mirror next to their 'house' all the time as it will stress them out.

as for me, i give my betta a 15 - 30 minute workout in front of the mirror, daily if i can. he'll look at it, flare, then move around abit, then flare again.

flaring is like exercising, it's good for your health but you'll die faster if you do it non-stop.