Making A Betta Flare

[Kombat]

I got my new Betta on Saturday. I had read that you can put a mirror by the tank to get him to flare his fins. I tried it and it certainly worked. But I was wondering afterwards if this is considered cruel, much like teasing a dog? Or does it help keep their mind sharp to do it once in a while?

Karl

 

[danny101]

Or does it help keep their mind sharp to do it once in a while?

Karl

just right, it doesnt do any harm...just not too often or you could stress the guy out!

Danny

 

[amio]

Think of it as exercise for bettas. Let him flare every morning for about fifteen minutes.

 

[Animation]

Infact,
Iv'e always been told and believed they enjoy it. It's great fun to watch aswell!
James

 

[Taridan]

15 minutes? I've never made my male flare that long... of course, he's getting up there in age as well and I don't want to stress him out... Usually I'll hold the mirror up until he sees it and flares, then remove it, and he'll flare for the next 2 minutes or so at where it had been. You think I should do 15 minutes? My guy is over 3 years old...

 

[l.michelle]

My younger male I hold mirror up every now and then, but not for long.

My older boy (who is not longer alive ) i wouldn't make him flare. Like sanadi's he was 3.5 - 4 years old, and he wouldn't flare anyway. But i think the older ones it would probably stress them out.

 

[dthoffsett]

15 minutes? I've never made my male flare that long... of course, he's getting up there in age as well and I don't want to stress him out... Usually I'll hold the mirror up until he sees it and flares, then remove it, and he'll flare for the next 2 minutes or so at where it had been. You think I should do 15 minutes? My guy is over 3 years old...

I'm pretty sure amio was joking. Kinda like doing sit ups for 15min a day to work out.

 

[Betta_Lovex3]

Sebastian won't flare anymore I think he finally realized it was himself, but he did flare at my finger the other day

 

[Pugbrat]

Just like amio, I let all my bettas flare for 10-15 minutes facing each other while basking in the morning sun. Great exercise, vitamin D and keeps their fins and rays (specially crowntails) straight and healthy.
When I was conditioning my plakat male for breeding, I'd let him flare with another male for about 20-30 minutes.

Before, I was apprehensive about making them flare for 15 minutes...

...but as you can see from the results...

This is how he looks now...

This CT of mine is also getting the same exercise.

Older bettas also need exercise and sun. Just monitor closely the tanks. If you see signs of slowing down, then it's time to quit flaring.