Why are my female betta fish fighting?

Question

I had three betta fish living together in a betta bowl and the orange one just killed one of the blue ones. Now I'm afraid to have the other blue and orange stay together in the bowl. They keep swimming near each other and threatening each other. How can I stop this?

So should I buy a seperate bowl now?

I thought females were fine together.

Update: Separated them and put them right next to each other. I'm gonna try and let them get used to each other before merging them again. How long do you think that'll take?

Answer 1

First I have to ask why you think one killed the other. Did you actually see the one attack the other?

Females are typically not very aggressive, although all fish crammed into a bowl will be aggressive to a degree.

In general you should NEVER keep a betta (or any fish) in a bowl. There simply isn't enough water for them to be healthy. They will survive, for a short while, but never thrive.

For females you could get a 5 gallon tank and have 2-3 females in that tank without any problem. You'll need to have a filter like a penguin mini and a small heater (25W) for this tank.

For those that say betta's are killers. YOU ARE WRONG. Betta's are not aggressive towards other fish, and females bettas are rarely aggressive towards each other. They are called FIGHTING FISH only because males will battle for territory. It is only the males that are territorial and aggressive. You cannot keep two males together as they will continually battle for territory. You cannot keep a male with a female because he will continually badger her in attempts to get her to spawn. But you can keep bettas with other fish and have no problems.

Answer 2

you dont have to buy another tank just go to walmart or petsmart and buy a gold fish bowl and she would be happy that way she can eat and don't worry about gettin attacked! If a female that wasn’t ripe, or ready for spawning, would have entered a males tank, it’s possible that she would’ve been attacked, as non-ripe females are not tolerated within the vicinity of the nest. By not fleeing, a female indicates her readiness to spawn. Yes, some times if you are not careful when trying too breed bettas, the male will attack the female and he can injure the female, the females are much smaller than the males. A Male and a Female: In the wild, females stay clear of males, except during mating. When cohabiting in tanks, males might kill females, and are generally kept apart unless (a) they are juvenile siblings, (b) they are breeding, (c) there is a partition, or (d) the tank is large enough for the female to escape attack. Often, before breeding, breeders use such a container to allow female display without risking harm by the male. Two or more Females: Bettas are not schooling fish, but in a large tank with many hiding spaces, female bettas can cohabit. When two females share a tank, one usually bullies the other, however, four or more females will establish a hierarchy allowing peaceful co-existence, nevertheless, females living in community must be monitored for aggressive females.

Answer 3

Female Betta Splendens can get along. But it depends on their 'individual' personalities. Some won't get along with other girls not matter what. I've had a female that could not be in a 6 FOOT long tank with the other girls.
Personally, no betta should be in a bowl. A gallon is really minimum for one betta, male or female. And they need HEAT. They don't have to have filtration, IF the water is changed very often. But heat is a necessity. Also make sure they are females. Sometimes males have short tails. But most likely, just due to the fact that that is way to small for even one betta..they are fighting over space. a 10 gallon may work for 3 girls depending on their personalities. I've kept girls in 10 gal, 20 gal, and a 125 gal (and at times even with a male although not recommending this to the amateur keeper)..and they can be very non aggressive. But they need room.

Answer 4

Female bettas only fight if there is not enough room. For 3 female bettas you need 10 gallons MINIMUM.

Hey people who think female bettas always fight. ITS CALLED RESEARCH!!! You should try it. I have kept and bred bettas for years and it is common knowledge that female bettas do not usually fight. If you think I am wrong, please email me! I will be MORE THAN happy to prove you wrong. Make sure you set your profile so you can recieve emails so that you will get my reply. Just putting them apart where they can see each other will do nothing. They will not get used to each other unless they have room in the tank.

STOP GIVING OUT ADVICE THAT IS NOT TRUE!!!


To the person with the original question. How big is your bowl? Female bettas will fight just like males if the tank is too small. You need 10 gallons for 3, and 2 will not work out too well most likely. They are semi aggressive and although they won't fight in a big enough tank, they will chase each other and possibly nip at each other, so 3 is the minimum unless you are only keeping 1, then that is fine.

Answer 5

well the first problem is that a bowl is MUCH to small for three betta fish. Good thing you separated them because their has to be three or they'll fight.

Buy a 6-10 gallon aquarium and try again with 3 to 5 fish. Im sure it will work out much better.

ger and dont listen to what the pooh girl said. males and female cannot go together unless their breeding.

and dont listen to the other people either. females go well together.

happy betta fishing! ....wait lol

Answer 6

females will fight too.. They want to form a pecking order and the strongest, alpha female, is on top. In the wild, she's the one that gets to mate with the dominant male.

i hade 3 females living in a 29 gallon.. That worked out fine.. Putting females in a tight space is asking for trouble.

Separate them or get a big tank with lots of plants.

Answer 7

Seperate The Two remaining fish. Betas are Fighting fish, And are territorial.. Get a Bowl That has a seperator for it...good luck!

Answer 8

I have 4 females in a 2 gal tank and have been in there for over 6 months. They're my breeding females and at first they did "fight" but after the pecking order was established everything has been fine.And they like the under gravel filter and air bubbles in tank also. ><>: *<;)o

Answer 9

Female bettas are usually not aggressive towards each other but they can be. I would separate them.

Answer 10

Never put a Betta fish in the same bowl as another. They will fight and they can kill. They will even try to fight their own reflection.