Female Betta Tank

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Auryn1026

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Aug 24, 2006
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I had two female bettas in a community tank that got along well even after they were moved to their own 10 gallon tank. Three days ago, three new females were added to the 10 gal. Within a minute there was some pretty nasty fighting between one of the established fish and one of the new ones.

The new one that was fighting was removed and put into the 20 gallon community tank. The next day one of the original fish (the one that didn't get into a fight) passed away from swim bladder disorder of some kind.

Now there are three bettas in the ten gallon tank. The smallest one was shredded up when I got home from work tonight so I removed her and put her in a separate 1 gallon container until I can figure out what to do permanently.

We've read online that when you add or remove bettas to or from a group, they need to establish a pecking order. Should we reintroduce the bettas to each other and keep a close eye on them and see if they sort things out? Or is any fighting at all cause to immediately separate them? The old fish was quite friendly with the betta that died, there was occasional flaring but not really any nipping or fighting. We know it's possible for females to get along, and the old female is significantly larger than the 3 new fish.

So, I have 1 female in a community 20 gallon. I have two females who seem to get along so far in the 10 gallon. I have a female in a 1 gallon pitcher which isn't really a permanent solution at all. Ideally, I'd like to have all the fish exist peacefully between the 10 gal and the 20 gal without using dividers, but I am open to any advice or suggestions.

Also, is it okay for the fish to be in an unheated container in a 70 degree room? I can't decide if it's worse for the fish to get cold or to get beaten up on????? Please halp me!
 
You could try them all together again, but add more if you do. I'd keep about 8 or maybe even 10 in there with good maintenance. Generally, the more you have the better they get along. The top fish has too many other fish to keep track of and everyone gets picked on less. Watch out for an ammonia spike if you try this, adding some established filter media from your other tank(s) would help.
 
Can you be more specific? Do you suggest I put the 4 fish I have in jars along with 3-4 new females and let them look at each other through jars for awhile? Then I could rearrange the tank in case there are territory issues and release all 8 fish at once... ??

Also, I know there will be some 'sorting out' of aggressions, etc., but how far should I let it go? Fin damage? Is some nipping okay?
 
The jar method would be a good option. They can stare each other down and get an idea of who's who on the pecking order so that when you do put them together the spats shouldn't be quite as bad...though you will still get some pushing and shoving at first, they should settle down after a time.

It would also probably be helpful to put them all in the main tank together at the same time. That way they're all in a new situation at the same time and no one will have an established area to fight over. Change the tank around somewhat when you reintroduce the girls back into it. Make sure there are plenty of hiding areas as well.

:)
 
Okay. So I shouldn't add extra fish? Or I should? Is four fish enough to spread out the aggression?

I appreciate the advice. :)
 
If you keep up on your maintenance and have a decent filter (or maybe a couple sponge filters) I don't think it would be a problem. Even better for filtration would to to have a penguin mini and have a sponge filter in there for back up incase the wheel stopped spinning for whatever reason.
 
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I have two sponge filters but one has a regular strength output and i'm not sure how to modify it so it causes less current.

Okay, so I got the bettas tiny little 1/3 gallon rectangular plastic tanks (for 1.99 each!). I have to keep telling myself that being in a small space for a week isn't going to kill them. What I AM concerned about is the temperature. I usually keep my room at a steady 72 degrees. Is this too cold for the bettas? I worry that they'll get sick if they get too cold and I don't think I can bear losing another of these girls. :(

My plan is to have them in their little tanks next to each other 2 by 2 for a week while I get the 10 gallon replanted and decorated. I figure I'll rotate the order once a day so everybody gets a good chance to stare at everyone else. After a week I will reintroduce them simultaneously into the 10 gal again. Hopefully everyone will be happy and hopefully 4 is enough fish.
 
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