My boyfriend and i have a male siamese fighter. Five days ago we introduced a female fighter intio the tank. The male was fine with her but in the past couple of days he is action a bit aggressive towards her, chasing her around the tank. He doesn't go looking for her its only if he sees her. Shall we take her back to the pet store or will his behaviour get better? Does anyone know please?
2007-01-09 00:44:29 · 22 answers · asked by Tanya W 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
As others have said, you should not keep a male and female betta (siamese fighting fish) together. Male bettas are territorial to ALL other bettas, INCLUDING females. He will tolerate her ONLY when she has eggs and he is ready to spawn (he will build a bubble nest when he is ready), and if he likes her. Even then, during spawning, and even when removed promptly, many females are injured and must be treated for torn fins afterwards.
You see, he isn't aggressive or mean-spirited towards her, which is why he doesnt' go looking for her - he only wants her to get out of his territory, which is impossible in a small tank. So he is stressed because she won't leave, and is stressed because she can't get away.
You could get a bigger tank, like 10 gallons, and put a divider in it. You could likely get a 10 gallon with filter and heater for like 30$, used. Or just get her her own 5 gallon tank with filter and heater.
So, no, the behaviour won't get better, and you are risking serious injury (and stress) to the female by having her with the male.
2007-01-09 02:13:27 · answer #1 · answered by Zoe 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That answer depends on the sex of the Betta. Only one male can be kept in an aquarium, as males will fight with one another (hence their common name, Siamese Fighting Fish). Females are a bit more tolerant of each other. As many can be kept together as there is adequate room for in the aquarium.
However, Male and Females unless breeding cannot be kept in the same tank. Even if you have a number of hiding places for the female. the male will chase her and "beat her up". She could come out injured or even dead. Try putting her, or him into a smaller tank inside the original tank. Remember betas need to suck air from the surface, so be sure you locate the tank on the surface. You can keep more than one female in the larger tank however.
Unless you see a "nest" formed in the tank, they are not breeding, they are fighting. Remove him or her to their own space. Hope this helps
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2007-01-09 01:01:13 · answer #2 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
if i was you i'd buy 2 more female fighters. There should have 1 male to 3 females. I've keep siamese fighters for 4 years with 1 male to 3 females with no troubles at all.
2007-01-12 00:29:55 · answer #3 · answered by jraycash 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is normal he just wants to mate with her. It will seem that he is hurting her as she will loose her fins and that's normal. After a couple of days you will notice that the female is left alone. This means that she will be laying her eggs in a few days. I would suggest only to add in the female when the male makes his bubble nest. There are cases in which some times the female hits the male.
2007-01-12 23:35:09 · answer #4 · answered by Alexzander C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bettas aren't livebearers- introducing more females to 'divide his attention' will merely result in the others getting hurt as well. It's the same result as having a group of males together- it doesn't prevent aggression, it just spreads it out. Ideally, bettas of either sex shouldn't be kept with other fish- they are raised on their own and are solitary by nature. Females are slightly less aggressive, but not always, and in the same concept not all males are vicious, but it's better not to risk it.
2007-01-09 08:30:03 · answer #5 · answered by oohfeeshy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is completely normal.
But they are more interesting when you have a female in the tank especially when the mails build a bubble nest, but they do get a bit battard.
To reduce the stress on the female get another one. Two females is ok but two mails is a no no.
If you keep the males without a female they will live longer, its unlikly if you breed them the young will survive in a community tank.
2007-01-10 21:59:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Try putting a mirror in the tank, it is well fun. Siamese Fighting fish hate everything thier own species and kill the female after spawning.
2007-01-09 09:20:34 · answer #7 · answered by JOHN Y 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
.male Siamese fighter will be aggressive to female.only time put together when male makes a bubble nest.he.s ready for mating
2007-01-09 05:06:36 · answer #8 · answered by stephen eblue eyes 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, it depends on one factor, what size is the of bowl/tank/aquarium your fish are in?? Truthfully, if you have around a five gallon or so, I would introduce another female into the tank, it's the same problem that will happen with guppies. The male wants to pregnate the female, but if she wants nothing to do with it, he will keep trying, even through agression. That's why you would normally try keeping a two to one ratio of female to male. I hope this helps, if you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at either nsaneknutkase@yahoo.com or smckinst@capital.edu. Have a wonderful day!
Stephanie
2007-01-09 04:27:14 · answer #9 · answered by Stephanie M 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋
you should not keep them together as the male will be aggressive towards her and stress her out. She should only be put with him for breeding once he starts building a bubble nest. If you don't want to take her back, go and get another 3 to take the pressure of her.
2007-01-09 02:58:17 · answer #10 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋