Betta terrified of Flash Photography

[Guppylover]

My betta is afraid of my camera...or more likely the flash it produces...
Everytime I want to take a picture of him he would either hide behind the Java Fern or under the large shell! What should I do? He seems kinda streesed out as well...
It's a automatic flash so you can't turn it off or the picture will be too dark.
Any ideas?

 

[Emz]

Im stuck on this one too, my fish hide if they see the camera and i would love to get some pics of them. The only fish that don't seem to mind are my Neons, they love it, every time they see the flash they come to the front of the tank and start swimming around infront of me

Emz

 

[Guppylover]

So... does anybody know?
...my betta's still hiding a lot ever since I last took the camera out.He only comes out of his hiding spot to eat... I think it's stress, anybody have any ideas?

 

[Helium_Junkie]

Do they only hide when the flash goes? Or do they recognise the camera?!
If the former, stop the flash or stick some black tape over it, thats how I kill my auto-flash

Maybe they just dont like sudden bright lights.

If so, find another way of lighting the tank for photoshoots, something that doesnt startle them, such as an extra lamp.

If the latter, they recognise the camera... maybe bring the camera out and leave it by the tank where they can see it? Just leave it lying there for a few days, eventually they should be accustomed to it. Maybe leave it there while you feed them and they will associate it with food?

Or am I assigning too much intelligence to the fishies?

 

[Dubby]

Get them used to a bright light source. Also feed them when you next take a pic. They should then associate food with piccy.

 

[Guppylover]

Do they only hide when the flash goes? Or do they recognise the camera?!
If the former, stop the flash or stick some black tape over it, thats how I kill my auto-flash

Maybe they just dont like sudden bright lights.

If so, find another way of lighting the tank for photoshoots, something that doesnt startle them, such as an extra lamp.

If the latter, they recognise the camera... maybe bring the camera out and leave it by the tank where they can see it? Just leave it lying there for a few days, eventually they should be accustomed to it. Maybe leave it there while you feed them and they will associate it with food?

Or am I assigning too much intelligence to the fishies?

He started to get afraid after I took the first few pictures (with flash) them well he just darted away and hid under his favourite shell. Now whenever I bring the camera in the room and he spots it he darts away and hides...
He is use to bright lights... but I guess not flashes...
I'll use both your ideas Dubby and Helium_Junkie. I'll keep the camera in front of his tank for a while until he gets us to it them feed his while taking pictures!
Thank you very much

 

[Jae1525]

If you feed him whilst takin a pic maybe he will asociate being blinded with being fed!

Just put a lamp over the tank, tape up the flash and bobs your organ grinding uncle with a monkey wearing a facy hat!!!

I have eyelids and hate flash photography so god only knows how I'd feel if a giant stood over my house with the sun in his hands tryin to take a picture of me whilst holding my eyes open with matchsticks. Ouch!!