a question about my fish

eman · Member Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 340 Location: Canada

What does it mean when a betta goes around and around flaring at and chasing its tail? is that something bettas do? My betta, Leo, did that this morning. I thought that was strange Confused

...any ideas to why he would do that?
I have had him for few months now. He lives in a 2.5 gallon bowl. I change 100% of the water every 4 days and the water temperature is 28c (82.4 F)

thanks

HDrydr · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:38 pm Post subject:

Eman,
Good luck getting any responses here.... I've tried myself....
I think that it is just a Betta thing I've had them in the past and mine would do that too. Sometimes I think that they see their reflection in the plastic/glass and think that there is another male in the tank.
Good luck.

eman · Member Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 340 Location: Canada

thanks for replying Smile

it was my first time seeing him do it. He was chasing his tail the way a dog or a cat does. I ran to get my camera but by the time I started filming he had slowed down a bit.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=i7JR9IMWd2E

HDrydr · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 2:26 am Post subject:

eman what a beautiful Betta!!! I don't think that you should worry all of his fins are intact and since they are soo long he may be "catching" a end of a fin and thinking that there is another male in the tank..... that may be chasing him.....
again beautiful colors!!!

Aqueous · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:27 pm Post subject:

Leo looks exactly like my late Betta DV.

His tail chasing looks like classic betta flaring to me, males do it as an act of intimidation towards one another as it makes them look larger than they really are.

Your bowl looks like glass (correct me if I'm wrong) and he is probably just seeing his reflection thinking it is another male.

eman · Member Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 340 Location: Canada

yes it is a glass bowl. What can I do to prevent him from seeing his reflection? any ideas?

thanks

HDrydr · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 2:16 am Post subject:

not really much I don't think other than put some plants but there isn't alot of space to begin with... If it was a square tank you could put that plastic decorative background of plants and underwater scenery on a couple of the sides. That also acts as a "cover" for the fish and helps them relax.