Betta splendens plakat

[plebian]

Either there is a lot of misinformation about splendens on the Internet (assuredly) or my female plakats are displaying very unusual behavior. I have two varieties, 3 super reds and 2 red dragons. I added them to my large (680 liter) community aquarium to add some interest to a pair of discus and 50 blue neons.

They are much less aggressive than the silver tip tetras they replaced. They show no signs of territorial behavior whatsoever. Also, they prefer taking food as it drifts down through the water column and willingly forage the substrate. They eat everything, so I'm sure if I provided floating food only, they would feed from the surface as well. Nevertheless, their behavior in general seems contrary to most everything being reported. I suspect this has something to do with being given some space, rather than being kept in what are little more than large water bottles.

Personally, I don't think I could have found better community fish. In addition to being peaceful, unfussy, and colorful, they have a lot of personality. They are also the most curious species I've ever kept. Over the course of a day, each of them will have traveled through every liter of available space, including most of the nooks, crannies and caves provided by the driftwood. They have quickly become one of my favorite species.

 

[Innesfan]

This will be interesting to monitor. Normally if I heard that five female bettas were being kept together I'd be concerned about intraspecific strife. The usual scenario is that one betta is targeted by the others and they are picked off one-by-one til only one remains. Which is why virtually all sororities collapse. In those cases the tank size is usually 75 gallon or less. But given how large your tank is--180 gallons by my math--perhaps that will make the difference. Do keep us posted.

When you say 'blue neons' which of the three Paracheirodon species are you referring to?

 

[plebian]

When you say 'blue neons' which of the three Paracheirodon species are you referring to?

Paracheirodon simulans. I know they are more commonly called green neons, or even false neons, but I think both those terms are less descriptive. Simulans are actually a brighter blue than neons, which I personally think could be more accurately referred to as "common" neons.

I do occasionally like to post follow-ups, but forums make this difficult. Unless the original post is actually being followed, they just get buried.

 

[Colin_T]

How long have you had the 5 new female Betta splendens for?
If they have only been in the tank for a few days they will still be sorting out the pecking order. Once that is done they either get along or kill each other. In a big tank they should be fine and will set up little territories and live happily ever after. In a big tank even a couple of males can live together. The main reason males are kept separate is because they are highly territorial and will fight and kill each other in small confined spaces. In a big tank with lots of hiding places (floating plants) that break up line of sight, males can live together and so can females. However, males need much more space than females.

Betta splendens sold in shops are generally a hybrid between Betta imbellis and B. splendens. The B. imbellis are actually quite peaceful and some of the fish sold in shops carry that peaceful trait.

I do occasionally like to post follow-ups, but forums make this difficult. Unless the original post is actually being followed, they just get buried.

I bookmark threads that interest me so I can check on them anytime or add to them as required. It makes it easier than trying to find old posts or posts that aren't active.

I do agree with Innesfan that this should be interesting to monitor over the next 6 months.

 

[plebian]

I've had these splendens for almost 2 months now and have observed no change in behavior whatsoever. They are 5-6 months of age and were purchased from a breeder in Thailand. It's of interest to note that the term "plakat" translates to "biting fish" in Thai.

Reportedly, this short fin domesticated variety was developed for fighting. Except for coloration, they have the same finnage as wild splendens. It's also worth noting that splendens have been selectively bred for a thousand years. A detailed genomic analysis suggests that modern splendens have been hybridized with several other Betta species.

https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/sciadv.abm4955

 

[Innesfan]

Are they siblings? That helps in situations like this.

 

[plebian]

Are they siblings? That helps in situations like this.

Each variety is a sibling group.

 

[Innesfan]

Each variety is a sibling group.

That's a huge plus. Siblings that have been raised together and never separated can live harmoniously. The only truly successful sororities I have encountered have been composed of sibs. Now the interesting situation here is whether the two sibling groups will get along outside of their own sisters.

 

[plebian]

There has been no discernible difference in interaction between any of the individuals, regardless of sibling group.