Trying To Keep The Little Dudes Courage Up

[uberape]

I have recently bought a juvenile red crowntail, now called Venom. His tank is on its own and only 3 gallons, so to keep him amused i made a potential threat to his habitat with some blue tac and an earring (it looks reasonably like a betta). Round one was tonight and it was funny, Venom is smaller than the bettakin (manikin - bettakin) so he was cowardly at first but he stepped up and began to display, but cautiously. He circled the bettakin but looked ready to flee at the same time. The blue tac body started to come away from the earring tail so i quickly pulled it out the tank, thats when Venom's courage plucked right up and he chased him away. Now he is circling around his tank proudly.

Round two is not going to be so easy. I wont hurt him of course but it works, he seems quite pleased with himself.

 

[TigerJack]

I read that if you hold a mirror up to the tank, Bettas go crazy. I tried with mine, but he wasn't the least bit interested. He just looked at himself and did nothing.

 

[uberape]

I read that if you hold a mirror up to the tank, Bettas go crazy. I tried with mine, but he wasn't the least bit interested. He just looked at himself and did nothing.

Yeah same with mine thats why i tried making a lookalike, it works well, got to make sure the lookalike flees otherwise you just dominate him i think. crazy little fish though

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Use a mirror.

My betta flares at it and gets all proud of himself. My boyfriends betta looks at it and swims away - it's quite funny how scared of his reflection he is, about 1 in a hundred times he will flare at it though. He does extend his fins at it but he does not flare!

 

[scampi]

My betta also ignores a mirror & swims away. Strange dudes.

 

[TigerJack]

My betta also ignores a mirror & swims away. Strange dudes.

Maybe he's afraid of his reflection?? I tried again with mine but he doesn't seem interested.