Lfs Performance Not At It's Best

[K.J.]

I had intentions of starting a sorority tank (10 gallon, heavily planted) with four females, three of which I already have. So about a week ago, I went into the LFS to buy a female and, the cashier, ( who happened to mention this to me the second I came in) told me that they had started combining bettas with other fish. I gave a weak smile and rushed up, only to see in absolute horror, in the tetra tank (plecos, lemons, rosy barbs, neons) were two fish, a female and a male. The male was a VT with very shredded fins and was chasing the female, who was very striped up (alright, vertically, but I knew how it was going to end.) She was the biggest female there, so I decided to get her. The store said that the bettas sell much faster in large tanks because "people can put them in there." And then claims that she loves animals. Well, if she really did, she probably would have done some freaking research and just gotten them all 1/2 - 1 gallon tanks. But anyway, you'll be happy to know that today I introduced the female after a 30 minute acclimation to the water and only a slight bit of nipping was going on. Now everyones settled and no horizontal stripes are apparent, mind you I'm keeping an eye on them.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

sounds good! lets keep our fingers crossed the females get along togather. I would love to see pictures of this new tank!

 

[Glod]

I know how you feel. Over here in the uk the bettas are pretty much always in tanks with other fish, even inappropriate ones.
I was in my lfs yesterday and was horrified to see they had half a dozen females in a tank with tetras and barbs ! All of them had shredded fins and looked so unhappy Then there was a male in the tiger barb tank of all places... poor guy.
I complained to the manager and he just shrugged and said they were pushed for space so they had to go in "somewhere". So I left, not a happy bunny.