Males Being Able To See Each Other

[sparklefuzz]

My two bettas are in tanks next to each other with an envelope between so they can't see each other. I was intending on having them see each other for a few minutes a day but they really seem to love it and are not even flaring all the time, just wiggling alot, and one is going crazy building a bubble nest. I don't want to stress them or tire them out, so should I keep the envelope or will they be ok seeing each other all the time?

 

[RandomWiktor]

It depends on the fish, really. Some males will exhaust themselves displaying, split their tails, or stress and become ill. Some love seeing other fish, will display a bit but not enough to hurt themselves, and will get enrichment out of interacting from a safe distance. If your boys are thriving off of it, let 'em see one another; I have a divided tank with two males, and they only flare at one another a few minutes a day. Both are now happier and more active with the entertainment, and the one, who used to bite his fins, has stopped since he is no longer bored.

 

[e11cloud]

I recommend giving them the viewing pleasure. Chances are they won't constantly flare to each other. I keep males next to each other with dividers, and they only flare for a few seconds at a time before one of them gets uninterested and decides to swim somewhere else. My guess is they know that they can't get to each other, so they figure why waste so much energy? Just keep a close eye on them and see what happens, but I'm willing to bet it would be a nice change for them. I keep mirrors up for my boys if they aren't next to a male as I like mine to keep their fins "in shape" by excersizing them. None of mine have "over-flared", so to speak, but that certainly doesn't mean that yours won't. Just keep an eye on them.

 

[liz2]

Its really strange, my VTs cant see each other or their reflections for too long or they will just carry on flaring. But my cts like to see each other. Clancy who has slight sb loves to see someone else he gets really mopey if he cant see another fish!

 

[GuppyDude]

Activity is really good for them, maybe like 30 minutes a day, but like the above mentioned, all bettas have their differant personalitys and will either exhaust themselves, or throw in the towl early.

 

[sparklefuzz]

I removed the divider 10 minutes ago and I'm just going to monitor them. If they just keep on flaring, I'll put it back. I'm hoping they'll just be happy with it. Thanks for the advice

edit - Kamiko already wandered off. LOL

 

[Never2ManyBettas]

If they are active and obnoxious.... that is a good thing. They should be full of it.

They do get bored or sometimes just need a rest... so if you only have the 2...every few days alternate between them seeing each other.... and time with the mirror. Nurture their little male egos.... they think they just scared the other male off and protected their turf.