I have a 10 gal that has been established for over a year. I only have 4 tetras (only an inch long) and i have plenty of rocks/ plant for hiding so i want to get 1 or 2 females and 1 male Betta. before y'all start...YES male Betta's CAN live w/ other fish, they're only Territorial with other males...my Q is: is 10 gal enough space for the male and female(s) to stay out of each other's way? and should i get 2 or just 1 female?
thanks
2007-07-23 11:36:07 · 11 answers · asked by ariel 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
also, if anyone knows a good chatroom about bettas (or fish in general) if you could give me a link it would be GRAT!!! thanks
2007-07-23 11:37:41 · update #1
Ditto to some others, a male will not work long term in a tank with several females unless they were raised together from fry. In that case, you can have even several males in a tank together, but ONLY if they have never been separated. Your best options are 1 female with other fish or a group or 3 or more females with other fish. Unless of course you can find that rare breeder that keeps some of his / her spawns together and can sell you a group from a single spawn.
MM
2007-07-23 11:51:48 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Male bettas are aggressive towards both male and female bettas. Many are under the false impression that males and females can live together peacefully - this is false, and while the set-up may work for awhile, it will most definitely fail on a long-term basis. Please don't put a female betta with your male; it is cruel to both fish. One male betta should do great in that tank.
Alternatively, instead of getting a male betta, you could turn your ten gallon tank into a sorority tank, which is basically a tank full of female bettas. 10 gallons is a sufficient size for about 5 female bettas - I'm not sure if you'd be able to keep the tetras in there, although you may. However, please don't get any less than 5. Female bettas can live together peacefully, but only after they have established a pecking order. This can only be done successfully in groups of at least 5 fish - a phenomenon knows as "diffusion of aggression".
UltimateBettas is a great forum (not a chatroom) with plenty of experienced people to help you out with betta care. I learned everything I know from there. They have discussion forums for other types of fish as well, but are centered around bettas.
http://www.ultimatebettas.com
2007-07-24 06:24:49 · answer #2 · answered by ninjaaa! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to get a Male for the tank with the tetra's that would work. But you can't place female Betta's in the same tank. It will not work. Male Betta's are very aggressive toward their own kind. In order to keep them together you would need a much larger tank..about 100 gallons. The females do better in groups of 3 or more. They have to establish a pecking order and this can't happen with only 2 females. The alpha female will stress the other Betta fish and will cause illness or even death. So I would do 3 females and no male.
2007-07-23 20:34:36 · answer #3 · answered by LuvinLife 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am fully aware that Bettas can be kept with other fish, the problem is that the male will either bother the females, the females will bother each other, or the females will bother the male. Instead of putting a male Betta in there (he will cause aggression from the females), get 3-4 female Bettas. They will fight a little at first as they determine who is boss, but after that, they will all get along fine. Good luck!
Nosoop4u
2007-07-23 18:44:17 · answer #4 · answered by nosoop4u246 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I've developed quite an addiction to aquariacentral.com it's free and you get answers fast and friendly. You seem to have done your research but my question is what kind of tetras are they exactly? and what would you consider plenty of rocks/plants? I would only venture to put one female and one male if you decide to go that far because females to need establish a pecking order and two is not enough to do that. It'll just turn into one bullying the other. A pecking order is a hierarchy rank system, basically who's gonna be Queen Bee (or Queen Betta?). I say register at aquariacentral.com and stick there for fish advice, the things you hear here on Yahoo, *rolls eyes* like it's okay to put a betta in one of those ridiculous vases.
2007-07-23 18:48:14 · answer #5 · answered by ♥ 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
well in my opinion, 10 gallons is plenty. you probably want to get 2 females. Its said that Males chase the female to death sometimes, so if there are two. he chases one, then chases the other the first one gets to rest in the meantime. Even in 10 gallons however, you my find so baby Betta's sharing with mom and dad.
2007-07-27 15:39:46 · answer #6 · answered by Vickytoria 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would only put one Betta in a ten gallon tank, male or female is your choice. Females can also be territorial at times, and a male and female left together beyond spawning will also fight. Also, keep an eye on the tetras...your betta may not bother them, but they may nip at the betta's fins.
2007-07-23 18:42:27 · answer #7 · answered by RabbitMage 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
no, not a male and females. i have never found that to work and it is a risk....un nessary risk..
Either go with a male, or a few females.
i ve been a betta breeder for 13 years, so i know a thing or to. and a trio will never work.
You should go with 2 or 1 females, or 1 male. Not And.
2007-07-23 18:40:50 · answer #8 · answered by Coral Reef Forum 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
i would say stick with one female or male and watch them, some attack other fish other's don't. ask the pet store if you can return the fish for another if it does not work out.
chris
2007-07-23 18:44:57 · answer #9 · answered by albinopet 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I love this chat room - it's got a lot of information.
http://www.petfish.net/forum/index.php/board,8.0.html
2007-07-23 19:07:51 · answer #10 · answered by Tina N 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋