Question about Bettas

[cocker_luva]

I have read many times at many different sources that you are able to keep more then one Betta in a tank as long as there aren't 2 males. like 2 females or a male and a female together shouldnt be too much of a problem. since the male is the only one that will kill another. so what im wonderin from those who share their home with them is that, if i had two females together, would there be a problem? have any of your female Bettas shown aggresion toward another? whether they're in the same tank, or just able to see one another?

please help, i dont want to get some and have one or both get hurt or even killed if there was even a possibility of them to be spared.

[K9soul]

Females can be kept together, preferably in at least a 10 gallon tank and they should be added at the same time rather than letting one get territory established and then adding a new one she would consider a threat. They should still be watched closely to make sure there are no problems and you should be prepared to have to separate them in case there were.

Two males together, is a big no, EVER. There are the occasional stories of it happening but rarely, and they can seem peaceful for awhile and then suddenly for whatever reason that will change.

Males and females should not be kept together either. Breeders will, from what I understand, put them together only for the mating and then remove the male immediately.

[chocolatepuppy]

I kept two females together for a few years and they got along fine. After they had both died I tried it again with females, forget it, they were trying to rip each other apart! literally! Like K9soul said, be prepared to separate them if it doesn't work out. I guess it works for some female bettas and not others!

[binka_nugget]

Like Jessica said, the tank should be at least 10 gallons. It should be filled with plants and plenty of hiding spots.

My two females will flare at each other from their seperate tanks but I'm hoping to put them together once I start adding more to the 10 gallon. I've heard of some females fighting for hierarchy (and doing a small amount of damage) and then living perfectly after they figure out who ranks higher.

[cocker_luva]

thanks everyone...this has helped!

[kittycats_delight]

Over the last few years we have had several bettas and there is about a 50/50 chance that if 2 females are kept together there will be aggression. I have also seen aggression more frequently when it has been a male and female as the male gets mating "ideas" and often becomes very aggressive and relentless presues and nips at the female and I have seen death on several occations. With more than one female then like I said you have a 50/50 chance of aggressive behavior. I guess it just depend on the individual fish. That is my experience with them anyway.

[tikeyas_mom]

i have seen females show some agression at work, when placed in to small of an invironment. like was said above, 10 gallon min.

cheers.

[LuvGold00]

Females should be keep in groups of at least 4-5 to spread out aggression. As said in an min 10 gallon tank with LOTS of plants and hiding spots.