Constant 84 degrees = Healthy young Betta

Question
QUESTION: My betta is nearly 1" in size now (including its fins) so it's still very young. I first got it a few days after christmas. It was around 0.6" so I guess it was around 4-6 weeks old based on its size. My guess is that it's now around 8-10 weeks old. But he's not much larger than 1" so my guess is that he isn't older than 8 weeks.

For the last few days I noticed him swimming a little differently at times, more boldly. His bottom fins were fully stretched out in a brilliant display. And tonight, for the first time ever I saw him flare! There was no mistaking it! He came right up to me and flared. And he did it again shortly after.

Is there a certain age that bettas begin to flare their gills? I can't seem to find this on the web. Flaring is healthy behavior, right? Also - do you have a guess of how old he is? Including the fins/tail he's probably between 1"-1.25"...

Please let me know! Thanks! :)

ANSWER: Mel,
Betta's can start flaring very early. My male fry start flaring at about 4 weeks. It is very natural and as long as he is not doing it constantly then he should be fine. I would say your Betta is about 8 weeks old. Just make sure his heater is set at about 84 degrees. This is help in his development. After he is about 2 inches you can start turning the heater down to 80. It needs to be at 80 at all times once he gets 2 inches long.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Oh! Thanks! Gosh! I read that it had to be between 74-86 degrees. It's been at 76 this whole time!  I guess that's why my betta is a bit smaller than he should be.

I own 2 different heaters. One is for the bottom of the tank. I like this one because heat rises so I know that the whole tank it getting warm. The bad part is that I can't control how much it heats the tank but it has kept it at a consistent 76 which I thought was good until now. I'm glad you told me about this. The other heater hangs from the top and I can control the temperature of it (although the temperature isn't marked on the dial. I sort of have to guess the temperature.) I didn't like this heater because since I don't have a filter - there's no circulation in the water. So the heat doesn't travel to the bottom of the tank. There's literately a 2-4 inch layer of water at the bottom of the tank that's several degrees colder because the heater doesn't affect it.

Last question for now: Should I use both heaters so that the whole tank is a certain temperature?

Thanks again! And for fun, here are two links of my betta. Enjoy!

Macro Flaring:
http://s229.photobucket.com/albums/ee7/ArtsyGirlx3/?action=view¤t=MacroFla

I'm slowly teaching Macro the "jump trick". Here he starts learning:
http://s229.photobucket.com/albums/ee7/ArtsyGirlx3/?action=view¤t=MVI_0166


Do your bettas know any "tricks"? And do you feel that it's true that they can recognize you from other people?

Answer
Mel,

The best heaters are the ones with the dial which allows you to control the heat. If all the water is not the same temperature, then your heater is not working properly. It should heat all the water regardless if there is a filter. I have a few Betta males, that have learned a few tricks, including jumping from one section of the tank to another so that I can clean the gravel. Yes, your Betta will know the difference between you and someone else. When teaching them to jump, and especially because he is so young, it is best to not put your finger in the water. We have oils that are transferred to the water. Just hold the food above the water, and he will learn to jump out to get it. Also, once he learns to jump, make sure there is a lid on the tank. If a fly or gnat flies over the open tank of a jumper, he might jump out of the tank.