Why Does My Betta Flare At Me? Our Vet Explains the Common Reasons

VET APPROVED

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Click to Skip Ahead

In fish, flaring is a natural phenomenon where they push their fills outwards and hold their fins upright in an attempt to appear as large as possible. Though many fish flare, the trait is perhaps best observed in bettas.

Many owners are surprised to find that their betta flares at them from time to time. Though this might seem concerning, a betta occasionally flaring at you (especially as you approach their aquarium) is normal in most circumstances and often not a worrisome sign in an otherwise healthy betta.

Read on as we explain this behavior.

Flaring – The Ultimate Pose

Many people often assume that bettas are aggressive fish that will “fight to the death” whenever the opportunity presents itself. This myth originates because the bettas kept as pets today were initially bred for aggressive traits and were often placed in small containers by onlookers who would essentially force them to fight. Fortunately, this practice has fallen out of favor.

The 3 Reasons Why Bettas Flare

The reasons for bettas to flare can be summarized as follows.

1. Conflict Avoidance

Bettas are instinctively territorial, and if they’re placed in a new environment with another betta, they will most likely fight. However, from an evolutionary standpoint, it would make little sense for them to fight continuously all the time. Fighting costs a fish valuable energy and might predispose them to injuries, which can spiral into unwanted infections.

Essentially, bettas in the wild evolved to use flaring as a pose of sorts to warn an intruder of their presence. When they flare, they try to appear as intimidating as possible to a perceived intruder in an attempt to avoid an actual physical confrontation. If the approaching fish thinks the opponent looks far too menacing (based on their flare), they will likely retreat and look for another territory to stake out as their own.

This saves both the fish the hassle of a physical confrontation and, therefore, is considered beneficial. If, however, the approaching fish feels confident in their ability to take over the territory, they may flare right back. This may lead to either a stand-off or an early retreat from one of the two fish.

Of course, at times, it is possible that neither fish will budge, and eventually, they may have a scuffle. However, flaring minimizes the odds of this happening. This instinct is hardwired into the bettas sold as pets today. They flare at anything that they perceive is a threat to their territory.

Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t just males that flare this way. Female bettas also flare, even at males who they aren’t interested in.

2. Reproduction Display

When male bettas flare at a female, it is usually for one of two reasons. The first, as explained above, is a warning: males cannot tolerate a non-breeding female in their territory. The second reason is for seduction. A male flares at a female that seems capable of breeding in order to woo her. The flare demonstrates his strength and displays a larger stature, which might increase his chances of successfully luring the female to their nest to mate with him.

3. Warning

At times, bettas instinctively flare at something new in their territory as a warning sign. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a new fish; it can be something like a new ornament placed in their environment. Bettas are inquisitive, and flaring occurs instantly when a betta suddenly notices something strange.

However, the exact flaring mechanism is still not fully understood; it seems that the betta has to distinguish the new arrival as a threat before they flare up. For example, it has been observed that bettas rarely flare at food, as doing so would possibly give their potential meal a chance to escape.

Why Does My Betta Flare At Me?

If your betta flares at you, it’s likely that they are startled and instinctively flare when you approach. Anecdotally, it has been reported that some bettas repeatedly flare at their owners whenever they approach, even from a distance. Some believe bettas have unique personalities and can be bred for certain traits. Likewise, a theory exists that bettas that bond strongly with their owners might flare out of excitement.

It seems very difficult to make a betta stop flaring, and if your betta has no other health issues, you shouldn’t worry too much about their flaring habits. Though some experiments have been performed on bettas to modify their behaviors using medication, it seems that they eventually develop resistance to the drugs and resume flaring at each other.

When Is Flaring Unhealthy?

In most instances, flaring is considered normal. At other times, though, flaring can be a sign of distress. Many fish hold their gills outward when they are infected with parasites or diseases that cause them discomfort. This is somewhat rare in bettas because they have two breathing methods, and if their gills are irritated, they may not immediately hold them in a flared position. Nonetheless, it may happen at times of illness.

Unhealthy flaring can be distinguished from normal flaring because it is also associated with other signs of disease or distress.

If your betta seems to be flaring and has one or more of these signs as well, they might be unwell:

• Discolored fins or tail
• Uneven, damaged, or missing fins
• A change in color
• A change in appetite or activity levels (appearing uninterested in food and lethargic)
• Not swimming properly
• Unexplained growths on the body
• Randomly darting around the tank and bumping into objects (known as “flashing”)
• Attempting to jump out of the tank repeatedly
• Rubbing against ornaments, substrates, or plants

If you suspect your betta is unwell, have them looked over by your aquatic or exotic veterinarian.

Conclusion

Bettas are instinctively known for flaring for several reasons. If your betta flares at you, it’s usually because they are momentarily startled or curious about your approach. At other times, it might be because they’re anticipating your approach and flaring at you out of fondness. However, that hasn’t been definitively proven by science.

Though most instances of flaring are normal, flaring can be considered unhealthy if your betta seems to be displaying other signs of distress simultaneously. In such an event, it’s best to seek professional advice to ensure that your pet is not unwell.

Featured Image Credit: panpilai paipa, Shutterstock

ncG1vNJzZmiolam4prHNZ5qopV%2Bstbp5w6icrGWdrnqjsdOtmGaenJa%2FpnnArWSmnV8%3D