I have a 20 gallon tank with just 2 fish in it ( 2 female bettas) and im getting another 3 females in 2-3 weeks, Ok i also have a male betta on his own in a 5 gallon, Well i know your not suposed to keep male and females together, But would 5 females and 1 male be ok, Or is it a no no?
All together there would be 5female 1male betta in a 20 gallon tank.
2007-06-16 08:08:09 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
If your tank is densely planted it might work out, although you probably wouldn't see the females very often or at all. the dense planting would give the females hiding places to avoid the advances and subsequent attacks of the male.
In the wild, bettas are solitary fish and only come together to spawn when the female is in very good condition and full of eggs, ready to spawn. The males, oversexed as they are, are always ready to spawn and think that the females should be too. In the wild, the females can just go to another area of the pond or stream or rice paddy and avoid the male if they are not ready to spawn. The males choose an area at the surface around some plants and defend it as their breeding territory. In a 20 gallon, there just would not be enough space in the tank for the females to avoid him.
I would not try to mix males and females in a tank as small as a 20 gallon. In a much larger tank it could work, such as a 55 or 75, then the females would have room to move to the other end of the tank.
The male will be fine in the 5 gallon on his own. You could actually add some neons to both tanks if you want to give either one some different colored fish. Bettas only fight with other bettas. The females will sort out a pecking order, but typically do not actually cause damage to one another other than an occasional nip on a fin to show who is the boss in their tank.
If you decide, later on, that you would like to spawn your bettas, email me and I will help you all I can. I have spawned bettas on a few occasions and have some experience in that area.
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2007-06-16 08:24:43 · answer #1 · answered by 8 In the corner 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is a BIG no no! There's just too many risks, including death, that it's just not worth even trying it. Your guy is happiest and safest in his 5 gallon (which he is a lucky guy!) Please don't listen to people (who may have absolutely no experience at all) tell you that there will be no problems, that they do it all the time, they will fall in love and have babies and live happily ever after. While some may get along for a few hours, days,or even longer...someday you may come home to injured and dead fish. No matter what the ratio...it turns out badly in the end. Be a responsible fish owner and keep them safe and happy (separately).
I'm very glad you took the time to ask before doing! A 20 gallon will be a great home for your sorority (girlies). Though it would be best if you got more girls sooner rather than later, since there are only two in the tank alone. If you notice any bullying or fighting you should separate them until more girls are added. 4 should be the minimum girls in a tank to cut down on bullying, fin nipping, and fighting. I believe (though I'm not positive) that you can have up to 12 girlies in a 20 gal. (I know it's 6 max in a 10 gal) And the more girls the less problems with fighting you will have. Remember to have the tank heavily planted, lots of hidey holes, and keep an eye out to make sure everyone's behaving!
2007-06-16 08:36:24 · answer #2 · answered by George 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on the personality of your bettas. Some males will pick a fight with female bettas but some do fine in community tanks. Also keep in mind that female bettas can fight with each other as well! You can try and put the male inside, but if you see any signs of aggression, put him straight back into the 5 gallon. Also if you see any aggression with the female bettas you'll probably have to separate some of them too. And probably the less fish inside a tank the better! Good Luck!
Oh and I forgot to mention that you should also have some hiding spots for the female bettas. Most of the time, people only put in female and male bettas together to breed and they're not together inside for very long!
2007-06-16 08:19:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a big no-no... as far as i know, you shouldn't keep them together.... it doesn't matter if it's a 20 gallon tank or a 40 gallon tank. I got a male Betta, Diablo, and he hangs out all by himself and he seems happy. I dont think the 5 females would hang together and fight him off in case he comes after them.
2007-06-16 08:18:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
u need to put more water weeds so that when the male starts to attack the females, there are places to hide and the more the quantity of female, the higher possibilities u can get baby bettas.
2007-06-16 08:19:20 · answer #5 · answered by chiiliyeow 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO the male will kill all 5 of them, you can make a "cage" between them and keep them in the same tank, but only when the male is ready to mate will he not kill the females and I used to submerge a drinking glass into the water when he was ready for a day or two and then after she lays eggs he will not kill her..he goes to take care of the eggs..after the babies are born I put him in his pen again because he will eat the babies...hope it helps
2007-06-16 08:50:08 · answer #6 · answered by rowdysunsetart 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The male will more then likely be very territorial and try to mate with the females.
2007-06-16 08:20:15 · answer #7 · answered by Azu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please check out this site
It has some really great info about all the questions you may have about bettas
http://www.oneworldinternetcafe.com/betta/betta_fish_care.html
Good luck
2007-06-16 09:22:45 · answer #8 · answered by Kribensis lover 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u never heard of beta wars?
2007-06-16 08:26:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋