Question

[AthenaKahli]

I have a small mirror that I place near the side of the tank. I love to watch the Betta flare up and dance around, but my question is.....is this harmful for him?

I only leave it there for about a minute or so, but I really don't want to do something that could.....maybe give him a stroke or something? I know this sounds silly, but he is my fish and I don't want to hurt him.

[YoFishboy]

Nah...that doesn't sound silly....its good that you care...and no, in won't hurt him....I have kept bettas in divided tanks in site of each other...they flare for a while then lose interest....they might flare up a few times during the day, then move about their daily business of begging me for food! Enjoy!

[AthenaKahli]

Thank you very much. You're cute!!

[NinjaPirate]

Flaring is a very healthy activity for bettas in general. So long as you don't do something prolonged like taping the mirror to the tank the betta will be perfectly happy flaring at himself every now and again.

[plah831]

Flaring is a very healthy activity for bettas in general.
I've heard you say that before. I like the idea. I'm sure it's a bit of aerobic exercise ;)

yeah, AthenaKahli, I don't blame you at all! I LOVE seeing my bettas flare. Like you said, it's only for a minute so it's not like they're going to exhaust themselves or bang the glass. I have a male molly who tries to attack his own reflection in the glass so I had to cover the tank. I could actually hear him hitting the sides!