How many bettas can I put together in one tank?

Question

I know I can't put males together, but apparently males pick on females and females pick on females too. Can I put one male and one female together in a community tank (15gallons) without a problem? How about only females?

Answer 1

You can't keep males and females together unless you're actually attempting to spawn them and you've conditioned both. If either one is unready or unwilling to spawn, that fish will likely be killed or injured by the other.

You can keep multiple females together as long as you give them enough space and plants or other hiding spots in case one trys to be too aggressive. If you allow about 1.5 - 2 gallons for each female, that would allow you to keep about 6 - 10 (of course, this depends on what/how many other fish you already have). Because they will pick at each other, you should keep no less than 3, although 5 is better. If you don't want to add all at one time, start with at minimum of 3, and add in groups of 2 or more - once the ones in the tank have established their hierarchy, any new fish will be picked on by the other until a new order is established. Having multiple new fish spreads the aggression around.

Some females can be particularly aggressive, so they may not get along with others at all - keep a container ready to separate any that may be bullies.

Answer 2

There are differing opinions on this topic. Different Betta keepers will say different things. Honestly I think it depends on the male Betta. I have some that are outright hostile. The safest bet is to keep male Bettas by themselves. I've successfully kept female Bettas together in a community tank as long as I put them in together at a young age. I've found that the older they get the less accepting of other Bettas they become. This may not be true of all Bettas but certainly of the ones I have kept. I don't know if it's coincidence but the blue females I've kept have been very unfriendly towards other females so I haven't been able to keep them in my community tank. I keep my males and hostile females housed in individual tanks.

Answer 3

I had 1 male and 1 female betta. I put them together so they'd mate. I let her lay about 30 eggs, then took her out. I needed the babies for a centerpiece for a party, but I didn't want to get stuck with too many. Now I have the babies, which are all over an inch...mostly females...a handful of males, in a 10 gallon tank with my baby angels. They all seem to be doing great.
I see the petshops will keep all females together in one tank, but each male has his own cup.

Answer 4

no, and the reason for this is because in the wild the males have their own large territory (in this case the tank) and female swim around freely only staying with males to mate. when they come across a male the male will display for her and show her his nest, then he nips at her. if she likes what he shows her she'll stick around but hide for a while, then eventually they'll mate. afterward he attacks her until she leaves so she doesn't eat the eggs. if she doesn't like what she sees she will swim away. however in a tank she can't get away so when he attacks her she has no where to go, so one of them usually ends up dead. this is not saying there is never a couple that will get along, but it's rare and a hug risk.

if you want ultiple bettas pick all females. more than 3 is best, they'll usually pick t each other for a few days until they decide who is boss.

Answer 5

I use to raise bettas and found that it really depends on the fish individually. Some males love the females and some will constantly beat her up. A 15gl tank is pretty big and that would give a female plenty of room to run. If you place opposite sexes together, just watch for chasing, and for your fish getting bodily damage. (fins getting chewed and torn, etc)

Answer 6

Definatly only 1 male betta per tank unless you want sushi. As long as there is only one male you can put as many females in with him but only if you are okay with a possability of some babies. The females might pick on one another but they won't do any serious damage they are the calmer gender.

Answer 7

only one because bettas are aggressive fish

Answer 8

I really wouldnt reccomend that because they will probably kill each other really fast because i have betas and I know you shouldnt put them with other fish so I just wouldnt try it!
hope my advice helps!!!!!

Answer 9

0 they r ugly u-g-l-y they aint got no aliby