Advice on dividing a tank for 5 bettas

[SarahBravo]

I have a 4 foot by 12" by 12" that i am going to divide up with plastic canvas for 5 bettas - 3 males and 2 females. Does it matter how I put them in, ie boy - girl - boy - girl, or won't they care?

I have planned to use an Eheim external canister filter with a spray bar for the outflow - I figured i could drill more holes in the bar to make the outflow less fierce, and 2 heaters, one at either end of the tank. the substrate will be black sand, and they'll have one of those neon caves each (v. tasteful with the black sand!!) and either a live or silk plant each.

Does this sound like a reasonable plan? Is there anything else I should be thinking about?

thanks!

Sarah

 

[SRC]

You should make your dividers where the fish cannot see each other constantly (wears them out and will eventually make them where they won't flare at all), but where they can be removed for viewing should you want to exercise them (not removed where they are together mind you).

They all flare at each other..so it doesn't matter really who is beside who imo.

Just my 2 cents though.

 

[Stav'sBetta]

As SRC said, it doesn't really matter how you put them in, as males will flare at other males and females anyway.

As long as they get enough space to swim around, especially to ensure they don't see each other constantly (possibly leading to either blown tails, or 'flare apathy'), then they should all be fine.

I've never used plastic canvas to divide tanks before, but in a four foot tank, they should all be fine anyway.