Females

[Captain Flashheart]

Okay, so I definitely saw an ovipositor today in Coral - who was a little too manly for my taste in another thread - but she seems really depressed/lonely. I have her in a 5G tank, and in an article about compatible tank mates on hb.com, it says vaguely "a few females in a five gallon tank". There isn't too much more info about the girls online. Sooo...

Since I know you can't keep them in even numbers, is 5Gs too small for three female bettas, say with bi-weekly waterchanges? I woulda thought it was, but if it isn't, then I'd def. entertain getting two more.

TIA,

-Flash

[ACKislander]

Tia,
Yeah, 5 gallons is too small for three girls. The first problem is the bio load which would be maxed out because each betta counts as two inches (an inch per gallon) Secondly, since there will likely be an alpha and two lower level females, it's nice to have hiding spots for them to go when they need "me time." I'd honestly say, 10 gal minimum for three girls and offer them some hiding places and lots of plants. There are some nice affordable 10 gal set ups out there. I think I got mine for like $50 or something and that included a tank, light, filter and heater. (Among some extras) It's really easy to keep the nitrogen cycle stable in a 10 gal too.

[Captain Flashheart]

*G* I thought as much, I just haven't got the room - vertically or horizontally - for ten gallons of water XD. She'll just have to get used to it then, 'cause there's not much else I can do, except maybe return her to the store... but that's another long journey in a bag, and I'm sure she'd rather be lonely than in that state again (It was about an hour and a half, and she was reasonably stressed e_e).

Thanks for the info!

-Flash

[ACKislander]

Don't worry too much. Females don't HAVE to be together. Some can't be with other females at all because they are too aggressive and prefer solitude. You could consider different fish for your 5 gal. It's pretty small, but you could add 3 neon tetras or two small snails or just about as many ghost shrimp as you want (they don't really add to the bioload) Do a little researcha and I'm sure you can find something fun for your betta to play with... Or you can do what I do, spend all your money on aquatic plants in an attempt to produce the most spoiled rotten betta on the face of the planet.

[Captain Flashheart]

I do like tetras, but they're so little... I'll see how she is during the week. Ming snapped out of it pretty quickly, but he's her complete opposite it seems .

-Flash

[ACKislander]

I've heard some tetras are pretty mean to bettas (like danios) but my understanding is the neon tetras are ok. I should mention though, that I have never kept them, so don't take my word for it.

I think snails are a lot of fun, but they eat like crazy.