Who Gives A Fish Forums

My betta gives me the stink-eye sometimes when I'm just chillin' and lookin' at him. Not every time, mind you, just every now and then...little punk. Does yours ever get all feisty like that too?

I've got a betta that'll flare at me if I get my face close to his tank. Same thing if I put my finger near him, he'll flare right up.

My crowntail used to flare at me when I looked at him, but he's since stopped.

My betta's always on high alert, like I'm some kinda threat or something.

Not me, I don't own a betta.

My betta's a total foodie, always swimming back and forth, expecting a snack.

My betta's always flaring at me, whether I'm checking on him or just passing by. If I've got my finger on the glass, he's guaranteed to put on a show. I think it's partly because the "other" betta - you know, his mirror reflection - only appears when I'm around, so maybe he's just defending his turf. Sometimes I catch him staring at me when I'm watching TV late at night, the tank's right next to the couch. If he's chillin' in the back, hiding in his plant, and I glance in, he'll swim right over and either give me a hard stare or flare up. He's definitely got some personality.

Captain Morgan gets a little feisty with me from time to time, usually when he's in the mood for another pellet. Now, my boyfriend's betta, Bonzai, is a different story altogether. He's a bit of a flaring machine - at me, at Chris, his food, the plants, even random objects like pens or, weirdly, a candy cane. The printer even gets a flare every now and then. But there's one person he completely ignores - our friend Bryce, who's tried everything to get a reaction out of him, from food to pens to his own face. It's like Bonzai's decided that Chris and I are the only ones worthy of his flares.

My bettas usually go into feeding frenzy mode when they see me, but one of them takes it to the next level - he actually launches himself out of the water when I open his tank. I'm convinced that with some practice, we could put on a show that'd give those Sea World performers a run for their money.

As for flaring, they save that for each other.

I've got 10 bettas and none of them have ever flared up at me, which I find kinda funny.

They all go crazy when they see the food bag, and I've got a few that remind me of cocker spaniels - they get so excited, shaking their little bodies like they're doing some sort of fishy dance.

All of them are happy to eat from my hand, but you've got to be careful, or they'll nip at you too.