Betta Constantly Flaring At Heater

[rebrn]

My guy will not flare in a mirror, occasionally flares at his reflection (black background), but he is CONSTATLEY flaring at his heater. I have no idea why he hates the heater so much, but I am worried it might be getting to be a little too much. I don't necessarily have to have the heater in the tank, only because his tank is in the warmest room of the house, and sits on a tall cabnet, so heat rises .. you can figure out the rest. Anyway, his tank temp holds steady at 80-81F all day and night. The heater is plugged in but turned down to 73 F (if any higher the water temp gets too warm. Now while I am assuming that the heater is doing nothing as I have never seen it turn on while set at 75, I am not keen on taking it out just in case. Now the betta (name pending) seems to be doing fine, absolutely no sign of illness, I am concerned at the constant flaring. When I approach the tank, he immediately stops flaring and comes to see me, but still could this be too much for him?

Thanks

 

[Honeythorn]

Put some broad or bushy leaved plants in front of the heater ( they won't burn ) , all along the back to completely block his view of it. Loads of Cabomba, or some Echinodorus or Amazon swords.

 

[loraxchick]

so long as he has a place to get away from it (out of sight) he will be fine. ive a nutty betta who spends HOURS a day flaring at everything in his tank. when hes tired he takes a rest. then its back to go-time.
the plant suggestion is a good one if you are truly concerned.
cheers

 

[syd_the_rabbitsnail]

My betta stefczo flares for at a shrimp for about an hour a day... nuts he is!!! it make the shrimpy confused!!

 

[Lacuna]

How much time a day does he spend flaring at the heater? If it's really often I would agree adding some plants or maybe trying a different heater, in case there's something particular about that heater he doesn't like. Flaring constantly is stressful for them. I put a black background on the outside of my betta's tank and he spent all day flaring at his reflection. I took it down, but I still got him to flare daily because it seemed to stop him tail biting. But I think all the stress of flaring got to him and now he's ill. So I would recommend doing something to calm him down a bit, too much flaring is not good for them.

 

[atistang]

good luck. my betta will flare at his reflection in the tank for hours on end, he will even get to the point where he bites at it rapidly and sometimes bites his own tail. I've tried everything, new light, different plants, back rounds. nothing seems to work.

when i move into my new house i'm gonna setup a large tank and hopefully it won't be so bad

 

[Honeythorn]

good luck. my betta will flare at his reflection in the tank for hours on end, he will even get to the point where he bites at it rapidly and sometimes bites his own tail. I've tried everything, new light, different plants, back rounds. nothing seems to work.

when i move into my new house i'm gonna setup a large tank and hopefully it won't be so bad

How heavily planted is your tank?

 

[kingofbettas]

Hi.. just want give little advice..

wrapped with white plastic on the black part in the heater.

betta naturally would be bothered by the shape and black color, or a little shadow