Bettas In Biorbs? Yes? No? How Many?

[aitchvee]

I'm setting up my 30l Biorb and would love a male Betta, but I'm concerned that the bubble tube may agitate the surface too much for his liking.

I'd like to introduce a few females as well, and wondered what the optimum amount would be for a tank this size. Would there be problems with the male showing off so much he'd be exhausted? (I'm putting in plenty of plants for hiding and playing.)

All advice much appreciated.

Heather.

 

[lilfishie]

you cannot mix male and female bettas they will kill each other

 

[Samphire]

I have a fighter in a 30L BiOrb and he seems to love it. He has two male mollies (they are being segregated from the females atm) and 7 tetra in with him. He was originally in a baby BiOrb (bought for him) but got an upgrade.

 

[demonmagus]

just 1 male would do fine, add some silk plants for him to rest on and I don't think that the agitation would be *too much* of an issue

 

[Samphire]

Ohh yes, make sure the plants are not hard, my boy has real plants now as the one I had prior to him got caught in the nasty plastic plants and died

 

[Samphire]

Ohh yes, make sure the plants are not hard, my boy has real plants now as the one I had prior to him got caught in the nasty plastic plants and died

 

[aitchvee]

Thanks very much for the advice. I won't get any female bettas. I'm getting him real plants because of the fin issue.

I was thinking of Purple Emperor Tetras as tankmates because they're a lovely colour - they're quite placid aren't they?

 

[Samphire]

On here I have read not to put Teta with fighter as they nip fins, but I have x2 diamond, 1 glowlight and 2 Buenos Aires and they have not touched my boy and all look very at home in my 30L BiOrb.

 

[lilfishie]

tetras don't do well with bettas, you could try some white cloud mountain minnows

 

[aitchvee]

tetras don't do well with bettas, you could try some white cloud mountain minnows

Thanks - any idea where I could get them? I live in Leeds. (Incidentally, are there any particularly reputable outlets in the Leeds area selling fish?)

 

[aitchvee]

tetras don't do well with bettas, you could try some white cloud mountain minnows

I've read that the minnows' maximum temperature is 25 deg. whereas the bettas need 26 deg.+. I think I'll just get the betta its own tank. And never listen to the advice of an lfs again.

 

[rabbut]

you cannot mix male and female bettas they will kill each other

Hummmm .... How do they breed if they kill eachother You need to mix males:females in the ratio of 1male to 4+females. No more than one male in a tank, for reasons I'm sure you are aware of. Woulden't advise mixing in your size tank though. Appart from the massive overstocking of 5 fighters in the tank, there would not be enough hiding places for the females. I would recomend 90+litres if you intend to mix males and females, so that the females would have somewhere to run.

Thanks - any idea where I could get them? I live in Leeds. (Incidentally, are there any particularly reputable outlets in the Leeds area selling fish?)

I work at Paws For Thought on york road, near the city centre end. There is adverage quality fish, and most of my collegues are knolageable, giving honest opinions if you ask the right questions. Also, there is Pet City in the centre of Leeds, down the side of the markets. They have good quality fish, but not so good advise IMO. Hope this gives you some places to look.
Rabbut

 

[-germ-]

Manchester has got a ridiculous number of LFS.....
If you ever visit

 

[lilfishie]

you cannot mix male and female bettas they will kill each other

Hummmm .... How do they breed if they kill eachother You need to mix males:females in the ratio of 1male to 4+females. No more than one male in a tank, for reasons I'm sure you are aware of. Woulden't advise mixing in your size tank though. Appart from the massive overstocking of 5 fighters in the tank, there would not be enough hiding places for the females. I would recomend 90+litres if you intend to mix males and females, so that the females would have somewhere to run.

they are only kept together for a short time whilst breeding and the breeder is always 100% sure that each one is equal strength and ready to breed. you cannot mix the 2 sexes ina ny other situation especially having more than 1 female, with 4 as you reccommend they will just gang up and kill the male. you can only keep females together and in which case you have to have at least 4 and plenty of hiding places

 

[rabbut]

they are only kept together for a short time whilst breeding and the breeder is always 100% sure that each one is equal strength and ready to breed. you cannot mix the 2 sexes ina ny other situation especially having more than 1 female, with 4 as you reccommend they will just gang up and kill the male. you can only keep females together and in which case you have to have at least 4 and plenty of hiding places

I've personaly mixed them in a community tank long-tearm, with no problems. So long as there are plenty of places for the femals to hide from the male when they are not in the mood, there is rarely any aggression. Even then, I have only abserved aggression between two "ripe" females, not between male and females. You must take care to mix them in the correct conditions, for it to be safe. Agreed, though, if you have a tank with the correct conditions for spawning, you should only mix for breeding, or the male will become very pushy towards the females, who may then gang up on the male. If you intentionaly make the conditions incorrect for spawning, you can avoid aggression. The best way to make conditions innappropriate for spawning, is to ensure there is plenty of surace agitation, thus the bubble nest breaks up as quickly as it is formed. The male soon realises he cannot spawn and leaves the females, unless they come close to the corner with least surface agitation.
EDIT: edited for spelling