Betta space

"NetMax" wrote in message
news
"Bill Stock" wrote in message
...
All this talk of Betta females has me considering a buddy or 2 for my
lone male Betta. He seems very peaceful, as I've never seen him flare.
But he's only in a 10 gallon tank, so I'm concerned that it would not be
enough space for the three of them.

Should I put a divider in the tank and see how he reacts to the two
females before letting them interact? He's been in the tank about six
months now, so he likely considers it his personal space. Should I add
both females at the same time or space them out? Any preference for the
colours of the females (male is Indigo with red highlights) in terms of
compatibility?


Success (mixing M&F Bettas) is a function of their personalities and the
tank size, so I think you might be making this very difficult for
yourself, having only a 10g.

This male seems very laid back, I almost think he's a female. But he does
have long flowing fins. I've been meaning to see how he reacts to a mirror.


The sequence is to reset the tank (remove male, re-arrange plants,
decoration etc), install the females (typically at the same time) and wait
a few days (let them settle in, and the surroundings to fade from the male
Betta's memory).

Feed them all well and re-introduce the male into the tank (they will be
less likely to go to war on a full stomach ;~). Seriously, a full stomach
does reduce the magnitude of their energies if things go badly. Lower
water temperatures also helps keep things cool.

Then watch. I would overlook a bit of fin damage if it occurs and let
them settle in. With enough hiding holes, and a male Betta who is a
benign ruler ;~) then you have a chance.

Thanks Max (and Beano), any thoughts on two vs. three females Max?


If things go well, then it might only be the start of your problems ;~)...
you will have bubble nests, the beta female gets kicked out by the alpha
female, eggs laid, alpha female gets kicked out, and fry (leaving you
scrambling for fry food). This is why folks who keep more than one Betta
often have multiple tanks/containers. What you're planning (with a few
additional twists) is normal procedure for line-breeding Bettas, but
breeders expect and are ready to rescue them when things don't work out.

The latest Q Tank (#3) is just sitting empty anyway. The loaches
successfully transitioned to their new home.

I'm not trying to scare you Bill. Just giving you some possible and
likely scenarios. There are people who have wall to wall bookcases (no
books, only Betta jars), and some of them got started by thinking "I
wonder if I should give my Betta some female company?". It can be a lot
of fun, but very addictive.

LOL. I am not addicted to fish. I am not addicted to fish. I am not ....

People think I'm eccentric (nuts) now with my four tanks and the pond. I
guess it couldn't get any worse if I started lining the furniture with Betta
Tea cups.




--
www.NetMax.tk

If they think that you are nuts for having four tanks, I wonder what
they would think of me and my seven tanks of fish,...and one with a pair
of psycho male white mice, another one with a young Chilean Rose
[Tarantula], and a twenty year old very grouchy cat [who rules his
empire with an iron paw!].LOL~Dean.

"Papa Red" wrote in message
...
If they think that you are nuts for having four tanks, I wonder what
they would think of me and my seven tanks of fish,...and one with a pair
of psycho male white mice, another one with a young Chilean Rose
[Tarantula], and a twenty year old very grouchy cat [who rules his
empire with an iron paw!].LOL~Dean.

I'll see your grouchy Tom and raise you two Queens (female cats), who have
their master well trained. Any wayward mice in this house end up as protein
supplements.

How is the Betta experiment proceeding? I'm curious to see how you make out
before I take the plunge.

TIA

"Papa Red" wrote in message
...
If they think that you are nuts for having four tanks, I wonder what
they would think of me and my seven tanks of fish,...and one with a pair
of psycho male white mice, another one with a young Chilean Rose
[Tarantula], and a twenty year old very grouchy cat [who rules his
empire with an iron paw!].LOL~Dean.


Great to see you made it through hurricane katrina and the other weather
monsters in your area! Later!

"Bill Stock" wrote in message
...

"NetMax" wrote in message
news
"Bill Stock" wrote in message
...
All this talk of Betta females has me considering a buddy or 2 for my
lone male Betta. He seems very peaceful, as I've never seen him
flare. But he's only in a 10 gallon tank, so I'm concerned that it
would not be enough space for the three of them.

Should I put a divider in the tank and see how he reacts to the two
females before letting them interact? He's been in the tank about six
months now, so he likely considers it his personal space. Should I
add both females at the same time or space them out? Any preference
for the colours of the females (male is Indigo with red highlights)
in terms of compatibility?


Success (mixing M&F Bettas) is a function of their personalities and
the tank size, so I think you might be making this very difficult for
yourself, having only a 10g.

This male seems very laid back, I almost think he's a female. But he
does have long flowing fins. I've been meaning to see how he reacts to
a mirror.


The sequence is to reset the tank (remove male, re-arrange plants,
decoration etc), install the females (typically at the same time) and
wait a few days (let them settle in, and the surroundings to fade from
the male Betta's memory).

Feed them all well and re-introduce the male into the tank (they will
be less likely to go to war on a full stomach ;~). Seriously, a full
stomach does reduce the magnitude of their energies if things go
badly. Lower water temperatures also helps keep things cool.

Then watch. I would overlook a bit of fin damage if it occurs and let
them settle in. With enough hiding holes, and a male Betta who is a
benign ruler ;~) then you have a chance.

Thanks Max (and Beano), any thoughts on two vs. three females Max?

Behaviourally, your chances are better with 3 females. Remember that
females will also quarrel with each other, so having 3 divides the alpha
female's attention *usually* ;~). However, your tank is small, which
makes everything a little harder, so ymmv.

snip
LOL. I am not addicted to fish. I am not addicted to fish. I am not
....

You're not convincing anyone here ;~)
--
www.NetMax.tk

People think I'm eccentric (nuts) now with my four tanks and the pond.
I guess it couldn't get any worse if I started lining the furniture
with Betta Tea cups.