Gallons On Bettas

[lilacamy931]

I was wondering if there was a general rule of thumb for space on bettas both the males and femals. Obviously more the better.

On average depending in UK or US gallons 3-5 gallons for males.

For females that are in a soroity, how many gallons allowable per female? Or what is it per every 3 females or the recommended groupings?

I thought I would ask this as there are many posts (including mine) on I have x gallon tank how many and since I keep changing mind on the size of tank would be good to know!

 

[Honeythorn]

Various people will give you an innumerable amount of answers. I refuse to keep any sex of betta in anything less than 5 gallons.

Hoarding them as pets ( no breeders I'm not talking about you ) and having to keep them in anything smaller than 5 gallons because of such hoarding, is something I'm dead set against and always have been. A lot of people might not like it but I couldn't give a monkeys. It's a fish not an ornament.

For a single individual fish, I stay at 5 gallons or above. It's the easiest and IMO safest size to keep in a stable condition as far as water parameters go, as it's the easiest size to get a decent filter and heater for.


If space is short for individual tanks and there is more than one male, then a divided ten gallon long or bigger .The number of divided males obviously would go up depending on how big the tank is. Length is better than depth if possible, in a divided tank I wouldn't give each fish any less than ten inches in length per section.

For females, you need them in groups of 4 or more to cut down the squabbling , and no less than ten gallons . Five girls can work fine in a ten gallon but I wouldn't put more than that. And again, the bigger the tank the more girls you can have.

 

[Curiosity101]

Agreed Honeythorn, some people around the betta section take the opposite approach "They're just a fish, there are bigger problems in the world than a betta in a 2 gal tank", well there may be bigger problems but I don't think I'm about to make a dent on poverty or world hunger now am I?
Sometime people can just be very very selfish "I want, so I will have", with not though to the animal.

Back to the point at hand. Personally I wouldn't go any lower than 5 US gallon (for a single male), not only for the fish, but for myself. With 5 gals you can think about adding a few shrimp, maybe an otto or two etc etc. Plus it gives you enough room to play around make yourself a really nice scape for your betta.

 

[lilacamy931]

Thanks guys that is exactly the information needed! It will certainly help me.

We have a really nice 5 gallon corner tank needing setting up and then ready to go for my partners male betta.

I wanted to consider females, knew you needed groups due to squabbling and so it is good to know a general rule of thumb.

This general guideline can help me plan easier and hope that it will help others consider tank space and size

p.s. regarding the whole "fish ornament too small a tank" - I hope I do not come across like this, I am a dedicated researcher as new to fish keeping and wish to make my new room mates happy, my partner tells me I research on the side of neurotic!

(when I researched on my dwarf puffs, 3 LFS now know me as the puff lady lol)

 

[Curiosity101]

Lol, sorry if I came across accusingly. Actually I didn't think you were one of 'those' people...

I was just generally having a rant about 'some' people. You were asking all the right questions n no one can in anyway fault you for that!

 

[lilacamy931]

No no not at all! Just wanted to make sure doing right lol!

On another thread about boxfish I was a bit unbelieving about the tank size needed, but come round to the shocking size they get, so didnt want to come across as that.

All the info I get is brill and even as a newbie to forums and fish keeping, can see the upsetting aspects of it...especially when people won't accept that fish require lots more space.

I was strong with my puffers as they require 3 gallons each at least so only put 4 of the weenies in my 14 gallon. One of the LFS was saying to get twice as much as space would look empty. Did not listen to her one bit after doing lots of research and helpful people on ####.