Betta Safe Than Sorry?

[PlecMama]

I bought a female betta a few days ago, she's only one inch long, and I put her in my 6ft tank thinking she wouldn't bother anyone.

Well, she hasn't physically bothered anyone, but some of the small fish are being weird. Is it becuase of her presence?

My danios have teamed up with my tetras in a shoal and move as one - which is beautiful to watch, but not what they usually do, and my hatchet fish have come down from the surface and are hanging about 5 inches low in the water - totally unlike them.


The betta, beautiful girl that she is, is just hanging around swimming about and not doing anything to anyone, but the tank dynamics have changed.

Did I freak everyone out with this purple intruder? should I take her out? it doesn't seem very fair to punish her. Has anyone else had this happen in an established tank with a new addition?

I admit, I know nothing about bettas except the basics, ie: no two guys together, boys build bubble nests, take the girls out after they breed and they're pretty. Did I do something stupid?

 

[Loko17]

never introduced a female to an established tank but since she is new to the tank the other fish probably just dont know what to think and will probably go back to their normal behavior as long as she doesnt mess with them. Just keep an eye out incase any fish start to become aggressive.

 

[lisie]

If you want to take her out of the tank, I don't think that it's "punishing" her at all. From my experience (and of course one betta's personality and preference in this area can differ greatly from another's), bettas actually prefer to have their own tank. You girl probably enjoys the space, but I doubt that she'd be any less happy in a smaller but still sufficiently-sized tank of her own.

 

[liz2]

I would just watch them really carefully and see if they settle..I would think they will be ok in a day or two. lol

 

[PlecMama]

ok cool, as long as every one seems happy in a few days I will leave them as they are.

They never usually freak out when a newbie-fish is added, I hope it works out for them, she's pretty, and I didn't mean to offend any one (if I did) by saying I'd feel bad for her if she had to go in a tank on her own, I just feel that it would be sad for her to go from having feet++ of room to roam, to having a foot to hang out in.

 

[OohFeeshy]

It depends on the individual, but as bettas can be pretty terratorial, a whole 6ft might be a bit overwhelming. They like to establish themselves through selective chasing and biting of those they think might pose a threat to their authority, saying that, mine seems to be enjoying herself in the 2ft with the two tetras (fairly aggro) and the two un ID'd cichlid babies (who are also verrry nasty).

 

[lisie]

I didn't mean to offend any one (if I did) by saying I'd feel bad for her if she had to go in a tank on her own, I just feel that it would be sad for her to go from having feet++ of room to roam, to having a foot to hang out in.

If you're referring to me, I'm totally not offended! Sorry if I sounded like it, and I see where you're coming from; she's a spoiled girl with all that room!

 

[PlecMama]