I Don't Know What To Do!

[Amunet]

Alright, so I've been thinking about this for a while, and thought I would take the divider out when Afia passed.

But now that she has... I'm hesitant to take it out. I'd like to and eventually put in some platies, along with some cherry shrimp into the tank hoping Raj wouldn't bully them, but then I get paranoid and concerned. Do I REALLY want to put fish through the stress of possibly getting picked on by my betta or vice versa?

And then I started thinking, well.. if I keep the divider in, I could get another betta! I'm down to 2 now and I know I could give another (maybe even a couple females) a good home, but I just don't know what to do!
I was thinking of getting like 2 or 3 females, some more plants and hidey spots and plopping them in the other side.
And then whenever Raj passes... taking out the divider then and then adding in the platies and whatnot.
BAH I just don't know what to do now.

What would you guys/gals do?

It's a 10gal tank FYI. I think I am going to replace the divider if I keep it. This one just doesn't allow enough water flow.

 

[millym]

hi
our male betta's ( berts) tank is right up against our 4 ft'er that has some black mollie girls in it, whenever the mollies come up to the glass next to the bettas tank he flares at them, i think you may run the risk of your betta thinking that the platys are bettas because of their shape & he may attack them, ( bert doesnt flare at any of our other fish in the big tank (tiger barbs,rummys,cardinals,corys & yoyo loaches, just the mollies i presume cos they are a little 'betta shaped') also cherry shrimp are quite small & again your betta may look at them as food!
hope this helps a little

 

[hollyp0p]

if you know your fish is aggressive I wouldn't risk it personally....mine lives in a community tank, but I have a very placid male who stupidly even tolerates fin nipping!

 

[Jaded12]

If it were me I'd keep the tank divided and get another boy or maybe a couple of girls!

 

[Amunet]

Well see, that's the thing, I'm not sure how aggressive he is. I have an idea, that's why I've always been hesitant about adding anything else.
I wanted to add ottos a while ago, but never did b/c I just wasn't sure on my bettas' temperments.
Sure he would flare at Afia through the divider, but it was always playful.
He'd flare then swim away! Or flare and then plaster himself against the divider while she tryed to peck at him
But then I start thinking, well I'M seeing it as playing but it could be aggressive behaviour.
I dunno....

I think I am going to keep the divider. I just don't want to risk him picking on other fish or fish picking on him and I do want me some more bettas heh.

Definitely going to be replacing the divider though w/ something better. Probably get one of those cheap mesh things used for knitting? or something. Big holes in it so water flow would be really good.


Alrighty... so next question...
How many females would be ok for the other side? It's 5 gallons and I would get more plants and caves and whatnot for it. I was thinking 3 females but I'd more than happily get 2.. or hey, even 4 if I can lol I know Raj would go crazy if he had that many gals to flare at through the divider

Even though I've seen some gorgeous CT boys at Petsmart the last couple of times we've been there... I need to get me some more girls. They're always just so cute yet sad whenever I see them.