Is Flaring Going To Stress Out My Betta?

[fishy_wishy]

Hi, I have a 24 litre tank with a heater and filter etc, my fish was fine until he found his reflection... he will swim up to the glass flare and then swim away casually, then a couple of minutes later he'll do it again, he hasn't tried to fight it or anything. I got him yesterday, could it be the new territory?
 
Thanks in advance

 

[frapadoodle]

If he is only doing it as you say, it's good exercise. If he never stops, or injures himself trying to fight, then it's a problem. Had mine a year and a half, he flares at myself and Mrs. doodle to show off. And about once an hour he patrols the tank flaring at his reflection. It is mainly a territory thing.

 

[fishy_wishy]

Thanks that's put me somewhat at ease
I was worried he might be stressed
 
Thanks again

 

[mrstwalker]

Beautiful betta first of all!! but no,this is quite healthy actually, it will keep your betta active, although if he does injure himself you may want to consider a different tank

 

[fishy_wishy]

Thank you mrstwalker  I really love his colour, he has a slight light metallic blue hue when he catches the light.
I am so glad to know he is healthy, I don't think he will injure himself because he seems calm, I don't think he sees this 'other fish' as a threat, if he starts acting aggressively I think I'll buy some wall moss or something else to prevent him seeing his reflection

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

Yeah, i agree with everyone. Flaring is a good daily activity for bettas. Even i put mirrors every other day so mr.fishy will always have his spunk up. Flaring is also good for examination to check if your betta has fin rot

 

[fishy_wishy]

great, thanks everyone

 

[majerah1]

Boy what a handsome fellow! He seems .like he is just protecting his territory. When they flare, they stretch all fins out, so watch for over stretching and tears. Even breeders with show fish have tears show up during flare training sometimes. Best treatment for this is of course clean warm water. 

 

[fishy_wishy]

Thanks , he was definitely my favourite in the shop.
He does have a few tears, nothing major but I'm not terribly surprised because he was in a tank, probably a little smaller than my 24l in the pet shop along with absolutely LOADS (about 100) other fish, small tropical ones I think they were some kind of tetra. I suppose they cram all of the fish in one tank to save on space and money...
 
Anyway, what temperature would you recommend, my heater is currently at 26 degrees C

 

[majerah1]

Personally I would up him to about 82 to aid in healing. I think that is 27C?

 

[fishy_wishy]

82 is 27.78, I'll put it on 28 (my heater only goes up in twos)