Can you have a male and female betta fish in the same tank?

Question

I have a male betta fish and I recently purchased a female to add to the tank.

Answer 1

You can not put them together unless you are spawning them...and that is only temporary, and both of them have to be conditioned to spawn properly or you could end up with two dead fish. Spawning is not as easy as just putting two fish together, I have had a conditioned male rip the belly out of a female before spawning.. I also had a female rip all hte fins off one of my males. Shaz

Answer 2

Normally (depending on the fish's personality), I would say no. When breeding bettas, they are normally set in a tank with a divider to do the mating ritual. Once he's all bubble nesty set, they do the wild thing and the female is removed once the eggs are in the nest.
Otherwise? The male betta will just pester her and maybe kill her. Like others said, keeping many females instead of just one (called a harem in fish speak and there are quite a few species like that!), will keep his aggression and passion not so focused on one poor girl. It's still recommended though that the male betta continue to live in his bachelor pad and not settle down.

Answer 3

In my experience, some female bettas can be as aggressive - if not more so - than the males. I had one female that almost killed my male!

Answer 4

NO the male will kill the female.If youre wanting to breed them,you need a clear devider.Once theyve seen each other for a bit hes not as aggresive towards her.But can only put them in together minimal.

Answer 5

They should be OK,just provide plenty of cover for the female in the form of plants and caves. If they should happen to spawn the female will have to be removed,because after spawning the male drives the female away. In the wild she can escape,in a tank he will kill her.-----Good luck.-----PeeTee

Answer 6

yes, they usually get along just fine. I kept a male with three females, and guppies, and they all did just fine. just make sure that they have plenty of space (at LEAST one gallon per betta, but I would recommend a much larger tank [mine was 10 gallons]). As long as they have enough space, both should be okay, however, I would definately recommend more than one female. (that way, he wont be spending all of his time giving her too much attention and stressing her out). Provide plenty of hiding places too. floating plants, and little caves. that way, when the female has had enough, she has the option of getting away from the male.

If you do eventually get eggs, the females are prone to eating them. The male generally takes care of them, but that dosnt mean he can keep the females from consuming them.

Answer 7

Yes but don't put the male in with just one female. He will pick on her and bite at her fins. Put a few females in the tank with one male. And when they lay eggs make sure the male can't get to them.

Answer 8

depends on the male. they all have different personalities, i would personally not try it unless you have at least a ten gallon tank just for the two. so if the male is aggressive she may can hide away. plant it heavily too leaving her plenty of hiding places.

Answer 9

yes but i would recommend getting a small divider tank put the female bata in one side and the male in the other, give them a few days to notice eachother then take the devider out make sure you have a plant in there so she can hide if she needs to but make sure to keep an eye on them if the male gets to aggresive you may need to split them up, but introduce them slowly.

Answer 10

That isnt a good idea. Thye will kill eachother you have to do it the way the say .( TRUST ME I HAVE DONE IT BEFORE)

If you are wanting to breed them here are some AWESOME SITES:
http://www.bettatalk.com/breeding_bettas.htm


http://www.bettacentral.com/breeding.htm



REMBER THEY CAN HAVE UP TO 500 eggs!