Why does one of my bettas always threaten me or anything that approaches the tank. Even if its like 5 feet away!!! He's got a nice 5 gallon tank to himself with plants and cool hiding spots..his own cave. He's living like a king! Is it because he's solitary? If I put umm lets say 3 small otto cats, will he become used to having living/moving things be close to him? Not that I really mind but any time I want to even look at him, he's threatening me. Its like clock work.
For thousands of years, after a failed invasion of the planet terrus 5 (which we know as earth) bettas have been captured by the human race and forced to live in small amounts (some say that bettas need more space but they are just wimp hippy betta sympathizers) of stale water.
The bettas are very angry at this and are plotting to throw off the chains of imprisonment and destroy us all. Only the true princes of earth (the tetras) are preventing this from happening.
Be careful, betta flaring is hypnotic, and can result in betta mind control. The best way to avoid this is to put your betta into a 1 quart vase with nothing but a banana plant to eat. The chemicals caused by this mix negate the bettas power over your mind (and you thought it was just a cheap wal-mart gimmick). :joe:
don't know why your bettas doing it. territorial? hid personality? i saw one in the store that did a similar thing... if you put your finger about his tiny wee cup he flared up (or would have if he had more room). i've heard of some that flare up at food. is he looking tired or stressed? if not i would just enjoy the display. he sounds a bit territorial though... so have a back up plan for the ottos if you get them just incase. i've never had ottos but i assume they are quick and would get out of the way... but don't take my word on it. i had my betta with cories with no problems. just make sure you don't over crowd your little 5 gallon. i don't know what sort of room an otto would need. good luck!!!!
Flaring is a perfectly normal for a betta to do. Some flare at heaters, their own reflections, food, anything.
How much time do you spend interacting with him? If he only sees you once in a while then you are a stranger and a possible threat to his domain.
Ignore the flaring and talk to him. Spend some time with him. Bettas love human intereaction. The only time Mark flares at me now is if I do my "fish face" and Jakers doesn't flare at all unless I put a small mirror on the side of his tank.
I'd not put anything else in the tank with him until he becomes more comfortable with you and his environment. Bettas and tankmates are an individual thing and it's hard to make a decision on tank mate when he's being so territorial.
LOL well all I can say is I have 3 bettas at home and the other two are very mellow but this one will flare up at me or anything new that comes within 6 feet of it. Its funny actually. Sometimes he gets angry at his betta bits that are floating! Well as long as this is normal behaviour, then I guess its all good. So would adding the Ottos or other fish mellow him down after a while? Should i even bother adding anything into his space or just leave it as is...
