How Many Girls

[ileopard]

I've got 6 girls right now. In the next few months, I plan on getting another girl. How many should I be able to fit in a 10 gallon, 20 gallon, and 30 gallon? (I'm trying to see what size I need to upgrade too, since I realize my current 10 gallon is quite overcrowded).

Also, what is the minimum gallon size per fish? I've read many different things. Some say I need 1 gallon per betta, some say 2, some say 2.5, some say 3, and some say 5.

 

[jollysue]

Some of these issues are hottly debated. Betta can live in a jar if the water is changed frequently. They live long periods in those little cups with the water changed daily. It is a personal choice and dependent partially on the Betta's personality.

As far as the size of a sorority tank, seven girls would probably do well in a 15 usg with lots of ground cover and tall plants. But you will never be sorry if you get the largest tank you can accommodate. I have just set up a 25 usg tall Eclipse 3 with 6 girls. (It was suppose to accommodate 7 girls, but one died mysteriously.) The footprint of the tank is only 24", the same as a 20 usg. There is a 20 usg long with a 30" long footprint, which would make a nice sorority tank. You could easily put 8-10 girls in it.

The number of girls depends greatly on the personality and decor of the tank. I don't know how many can be safely kept together. I had over 20 in the 25 usg tank once but one got fin rot and I lost the whole tank due to inexperience.

 

[puddle_inc]

depending on size i would say like 5-7 per 10 gallons maby? i'm nto really good with bettas, but i have read quite alot about them and had alot. i would wait for another person's reply before believing the above

 

[jollysue]

5 is the standard recommendation for 10 usg

 

[puddle_inc]

yay! lol, i was actually close B)

 

[ileopard]

I might get some dividers. Every time I wake up, another fish's fins are almost completely off, or someone looks like a DT. (I had one that was fin-nipped by the other girls, and it looked like a DT until it grew back. I have no question in my mind of who did it - my agressive girl who thinks the whole tank is hers)

 

[jollysue]

Sororities always have a pecking order with the "Boss" girl. It is called a sorority for a reason.

6 may be too many for your tank--10 usg? Also the decor needs to be placed so there are lots of hiding places and undergrowth with tall plants also near the top to hide in. The girls need to be able to hide and get away from a girl on a tear. Some girls need more places to hide than others

Then there are the individuals that just will not adjust to sorority life. Be sure to treat the girl's tank for the possibility of infection.

Right now my VT girl chases everyone except the big girl, Ms. Erica. The 4 little plakat Synirr sisters have to watch and hide. They have to be quick to get any food as VT girl gobbles everything and chases everybody. It may be what happened to the one that was lost, although I didn't see that kind of damage.

You can try taking the bossy girl out, rearranging the decor and see if it helps. But although sometimes 6 will work in 10 usg, it doesn't always.

 

[ileopard]

That's what I was thinking too. Do you know how much I should be able to safely put on the second floor? I've got two 10 gallons. I'm going to add more, but I hope that doesn't mess up the floor with all the weight.

The upgraded tank will have a lot of hiding places. I currently have a fake turtle, a silk plant, and another weird one which provides sufficient place for them to hide.

I'm thinking soft coral will be best for the upgraded tank.

 

[jollysue]

Lots of cloth plants; a hidey spot for each girl at least, but more is better.

Haven't a clue as to your structural capacity. If it is an apartment, ask the manager. Ten or twenty usg shouldn't be any more than could be handled. I can lift ten usg and almost a twenty.

 

[ileopard]

I'll try to find out. If I can't, I'll get a gorilla rack and try to put a few 20 gallons, but I'll watch it closely and make sure it doesn't sag the floor. (If it does, I can return the tank to the LFS and use the gorilla rack for the 2 tanks I have right now.) I'm sure it can handle at few more full tanks.

Also, the way I was doing my water changes is by using an old bucket and a pitcher that I use only for fish things now. If I try carrying the full 10 USG tank to the bathtub where I dump it, couldn't I break the tank?

And I think I know why the fin nipping happens at night. I turn the lights off, and I don't use the tank light for fear of it getting too hot and boiling the water. (The water is almost full - just enough for my Tetra Whisper 10i filter and the heater). It seems that when my aggressive one comes up to fight, the girl just doesn't realize that someone's there to fight. And then she nips the fins. Since it's 10 USG, do you think it's safe to use the light, which is 25 watts?

 

[sylvia]

If I remember correctly (I did calculate this at one point ), a 20 gallon weighs about as much as your average person - so the floor had better hold it or else I think you need to do some major complaining! Don't mean to sound offensive to anyone but some very heavy people manage to live in flats - a few 10 gallons will too! How much do you suppose a full bathtub weighs? As far as I am aware, bathroom floors are not re-enforced or anything. A lot also depends on the area over which the weight is spread. I'm certain 20 gallons are fine but, if you were to get a tall, narrow 100 gallon, things may not work out quite as well (Whereas a wide, shallow 100 gallon would work fine).

 

[ileopard]

I didn't realize that. It's got to hold at least a few ~200 pound people or ~200 pound tanks. I'll start looking for gorilla racks.

Thanks!