How Many Girls?

[Tiswas]

Hi all, I'm thinking about in the future making a sorority out of my 60L that is currently a commumity. Was just wondering how many girls would be good in that size tank? I know they seem to be better in odd numbers and about it needing to be heavily planted so they can escape with caves etc. Its planted anyway so shouldn't be an issue with chucking a few more in. Its got a 200L aquaflow filter in at the moment which i probably wouldn't change. Since getting my first boy i've become a bit addicted! I've got lots of plans for divided tanks for more boys and everything!

 

[GuppyGoddess]

Have you read up much on female sororities? Seems like people here love them, but I think it's a bad idea because it's pretty much guaranteed that the fish will attack each other to establish a pecking order. I tried it thinking since others have done it, I could handle it too, but it was HORRIBLE watching the females tear each other to shreds. I only had two back-up homes and couldn't bare to keep the fish in the tank together and had to take them back to the store. How could I explain to the sales people that I tried putting bettas together against most peoples' better judgement? I was *embarrassed* to bring back those fish who clearly were marked by the store as to be kept SEPERATE from each other.

I had put six in and now have two of those girls in individual tanks. The others went back. Who knows if the store workers even tried to heal the others or what they did

 

[Honeythorn]

I've done it with no problems as have many others, some aren't so lucky.

5 is good for 60L, and with store bought girls (if that's where you're getting them from ) would have 1 major advantage and also 1 disadvantage

Advantage - They are usually (though not always) kept in the same tank in LFS', and so will be used to eachother and being in a group, so less fighting.

Disadvantage - There is a risk of you ending up with a Plakat Male in with those girls, as most LFS and pet shops I've been to that sell girls, seem unable to spot the males , though to be fair most of the bettas are still quite young and PK males look almsot exactly like girls with their short fins, until they mature. That happened to me, and the male has his own separate tank after he matured. I spotted him flaring and chasing.


If getting from a breeder, then perhaps ask if their females are all kept in one large tank ( as some breeders do ) or separate like the males. As above it would possibly be more of an advantage to get girls who have already been kept in a group , rather than always separate in their own little space.

 

[Tiswas]

Thanks guys. As I said before it's only future plans and not taking place immediately so I'll have plenty of time to get everything in order. I haven't decided whether to get them from a breeder or an LFS. Obviously dont want to risk getting a male in there but i have a little while to decide that one.