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Post by youthanize on Jan 13, 2006 21:45:35 GMT -5
I have two betta fish in a smaller (non-filter) divided tank, the younger and smaller of which I got a little over a week ago. He is healthy and eats normally, but I am worried about his interaction with the other fish. The older fish is a bit bigger and likes to intimidate the younger one, in fact the younger fish often backs away from him when he gets near. The younger fish isn't very active, and I am worried this might be because the older one intimidates him fairly often by splaying his frills (I don't know the technical terms...) and attempting to attack him through the divider. Should I separate my two fish until the younger betta grows?
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bettons
Junior Bubble Nester
Posts: 187
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Post by bettons on Jan 13, 2006 22:30:14 GMT -5
If he is being intimidated then you should definitely separate him, or put him in another tank where no fish intimidate him.
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Post by youthanize on Jan 13, 2006 22:32:20 GMT -5
Do you think he will become more active when he doesn't have constant intimidation?
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bettons
Junior Bubble Nester
Posts: 187
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Post by bettons on Jan 13, 2006 22:46:52 GMT -5
yes, he will definitely be active unless he was injured in a fight or contracted a decease, but he should be more active, it may take some time since he may be somewhat scared.
If you want more info. you can check articles in the net on aggression.
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Post by shadoew on Jan 14, 2006 0:35:21 GMT -5
you don't necessarily have to separate them, after time they will get used to each other and there shouldn't be a problem. You could also try putting plants or whatever in the way of the divider so that they cannot see each other. (BTW, it's called flaring when they fight )
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bettons
Junior Bubble Nester
Posts: 187
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Post by bettons on Jan 14, 2006 1:03:59 GMT -5
(BTW, it's called flaring when they fight ) Actually a Betta flaring does not necessarily means fight. It is a form of intimidation, psychological war, the bigger they seem to be the higher the possibility of scaring the other will be. you don't necessarily have to separate them, after time they will get used to each other and there shouldn't be a problem. You could also try putting plants or whatever in the way of the divider so that they cannot see each other. yeah you can try that if you want to divide them. and also you can take some sand paper and rub it against the divider until the Betta is unrecognizable. But that sounds like destroying the divider ;D.
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Post by shadoew on Jan 14, 2006 5:43:29 GMT -5
I didn't mean it that way, youthanize didn't know what the word was, so I was simply pointing it out.
And like I mentioned before, after time the aggression will subside and there won't be any problems. I know this from experience. I have a 10 gal divided with 3 males in it, and at first the less aggressive fish seemed to be less active as well. After getting used to having an aggressive fish beside him, he got used to him being there and realized that he was not able to get at him. So they all don't even care that the other fish is there most of the time.
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bettons
Junior Bubble Nester
Posts: 187
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Post by bettons on Jan 14, 2006 11:36:18 GMT -5
Oh God. So sorry for misunderstanding you!
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Post by youthanize on Jan 14, 2006 11:55:15 GMT -5
Thanks for all the help. ^_^ Just today my smaller betta seems much more active, and is going up to the divider more often. Yay. :-D
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bettons
Junior Bubble Nester
Posts: 187
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Post by bettons on Jan 14, 2006 14:49:37 GMT -5
cool, that is great!glad I could help=)
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Post by winddancer on Jan 14, 2006 19:16:58 GMT -5
I have divided tanks for my males...Also had two very timid ones. I thought about putting them into their own setup but things have worked out.They seem to know now they are safe.
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