worried about beta....

[blankenship]

Hi,

My beta seems to have found his reflection....at least I think he did. He's been flaring his gills at the glass for the past few hours. I'm assuming he sees his reflection and thinks its another beta. Is this normal? Its been about 4 hours since he started. Once in a while he'll swim away, but then he'll make his way back and do it again. Should I do something to stop him? I just did a 50% water change yesterday. Water specs are:

Temp - 78 degrees
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 12ppm
PH - 7.0
KH - 2.6
CO2 - 10ppm

The only bad thing that has happened recently is that when I changed the water I over estimated the temp of the new water and the temp rose to about 82, and has since come back down to 78. I have 4 tetras also in the tank. They seem to be fine and have gotten along fine with the beta.

 

[ArkyLady]

My first betta was a christmas gift (one of those bettas in a vase with a plant on top). After keeping him for a month or two, I decided that he couldn't be ok in that small vase (I was a newb). Anyway, I got him a 10 gallon setup from Wal-Mart and put him in there. The first several DAYS he almost constantly fought with the current coming from the filter and his reflections. I'd turn the filter off sometimes to give him a rest. It took a few days and he finally calmed down and would even play in the water current.

I understand your concern, I was really worried that mine was going to wear himself out and die on me. He survived it fine though and I'm sure yours will also. I don't really know what you could do to stop him, he'll most likely quit once he realizes that other betta isn't going to fight with him

 

[TKOS]

Make sure to clean the glass well alos on the tank. Get an algae scrapper for the inside and clean out exterior as this could help make a reflection. But eventually he will get used to things and settle down. A little flaring won't hurt him.