4 Female Bettas In A 6 Gallon Problem

[wendywc]

Is this okay?

I ask because last night, hubby and I went to Walmart. They had 7 cups of bettas left. The 3 males were dead already. But there were 4 females left. Can I give them a home in my 6 gallon Eclipse system? If so, what's the max number of females that would be okay in a 6 gallon??
*crosses fingers*

Here's a pic of the tank I have ready. http/users2.ev1.net/~wendywc/bettas/bettatank.jpg

 

[_cRaCkEr_]

Nice tank... yes it's ok to put 4 female Bettas in your tank and if you can add few more plants that would be nice so they can hide.

 

[wendywc]

That's great to hear.

I'll definately add more plants; it's just that I just started this tank a couple weeks ago.

 

[_cRaCkEr_]

Really nice tank for real.

 

[timmystood]

If you over-filter then I would say your'll be OK - so long as you don't add anything else...

That tank is awesome!

 

[wendywc]

"overfilter", what's that? Sorry, I don't know that term. But I had a loach tank for 7 years and my community tank for a couple months now (without a single loss) and I'm willing to take care of them...

And thanks for the compliments on the tank!

 

[timmystood]

Overfilter - Basically get a filter that is designed for a capacity larger than the tank actually is.

For example - buy a filter designed for a 10 or 15 Gallon tank. This then should be able to cope with the extra bio-load created by 4 fish in a fairly small place. But it's not vital...

 

[wendywc]

Overfilter - Basically get a filter that is designed for a capacity larger than the tank actually is.

For example - buy a filter designed for a 10 or 15 Gallon tank. This then should be able to cope with the extra bio-load created by 4 fish in a fairly small place. But it's not vital...

Ahhh. Okay, I would have to look into modding my Eclipse hood to do that. I'll look into it.

UPDATE: I did get them and here are pictures.
Here are the four girls.

The tank and you can spot them all.

Yes, the two plants in the back are fake. The one in the front corner is a little shoot I'm trying to grow. I will replace with real plants when I get them and I need to add a background. Do I need caves? I did put in a little terracotta pot. Any suggestions?

 

[Elise]

Aw, they're so cute! I would maybe add another plant? When I first got my females, there was so many plants that you couldn't see through the tank! (I think I was overly nervous) But I like to think of it like this: if they all wanted to hide at the same time, would they have that ability? So I always keep two caves and at least 4 plants (of course I have more girlies than you). So maybe another terra cotta pot? Or why not try a big leafy silk plant, they love those!

Other than that, it looks great! That tank is really nice and I think you'r girlies are going to love it!

Oh, Edit: I don't have a background on any of my tanks, but I was thinking of getting one. I just like the look of it, but I don't think it does anything for the fish. I like the ones that are solids just because it shows off the life inside the tank more.

ps--I LOVE your gravel, that's the EXACT kind of gravel I've been looking for! Where did you get it?!

 

[wendywc]

Will do; I have a couple of silk plants that I'm not using.

Also, my gravel is a very fine grain that I got from a little hole-in-the-wall LFS near me called Aqua Zoo in Webster, TX. It was a huge 50lb bag I got from them; I used it for my 30 gallon also, so it's all gone. I like it a whole lot better that the rougher, common stuff at Petco or Petsmart, but I think my next tank will have sand.

 

[jollysue]

Looking Good. Congrats! Post more pics when they settle in.

 

[wendywc]

So the very colorful one (first picture) won't stop being aggressive. I think I'm going to have to give her a separate tank. She flares at them constantly. Luckily, she does settle down and sleep-in for the night. But as soon as it's light, she swims around and starts flushing them out of the plants and flares at them. The other three look too stressed and two have splits in their tails. ... I'm heading out for a 2.5 gallon now.

 

[jollysue]

Awe Sometimes they get over it, but the fin nipping can be a problem. They have to establish their pecking order. Can you get any more caves in? This really isn't my strong subject. Someone else will give you better instructions. Sorry.

 

[wwestar2000]

She's the only one not streesed in the photos she does seem like trouble.

 

[wendywc]

I did add another plant in the back left corner and another pot on the right side right after Elise suggested it (2 days ago). Also, I'm confused and worried, that these females might be plakat or young males? Does any of them look like males in disguise to anyone? I don't know; I'm new to owning bettas. I'll read up later; I have errands to do now.