By Conner Tighe If you’ve ever seen your betta suddenly puff out its gills, spread its fins, and look like it’s ready to fight its own reflection, you’ve witnessed a behavior called flaring. It can be dramatic, impressive, and maybe a little funny — but it also has an important purpose. Bettas flare as a form of communication. In the wild and in aquariums, flaring helps them appear larger when they feel territorial, threatened, overstimulated, or interested in another betta.

By Stacie Grannum, DVM Q: What’s the best way to avoid dropsy? It seems to be the most prominent condition affecting bettas nowadays. A: Dropsy in bettas isn't really a standalone disease; it's more of a symptom that indicates something deeper is going on. When you notice that “pineconing” or swelling, it usually means the fish is experiencing organ failure or a severe fluid imbalance. This often stems from chronic stress, infections, poor genetics, or long-term care issues.