Setting Up A 'sorority' Tank

[davidnso]

hey all

i know theres a topic of this somewhere but i couldnt find it

anywho, im interested in setting up a 10g tank with female bettas in it, i was thinking about putting 3 in it, but i already have a betta, and i think 4 in 10g is pushing it. plus, the female i have right now would be 3x bigger than the females they have at LFS so i dont think that'd be a good idea anywho. i think 3 in 10g is suitable, no?

so i was wondering what kind of decor you guys would suggest for the tank? i already have this cave looking thing where they may be able to hide in, and a 1-2 fake plants. what else(hiding places, possible other tankmates, etc) do you guys suggest for a good environment?

 

[Jaded12]

4-5 would actually be better, the more females you have the more they'll spread out the aggression, with just 3 girls the chances are very good that 2 would team up and constantly harrass the third girl. I had 6 females in a 10g at one point (a bit over stocked I know) but it was heavily planted with a good strong filter and they all got on fine, happy as could be. So I would recommend at least 4, 5-6 if they're the only fish in there and you have a good strong filter and lots of plants and hidey holes

 

[Ravenwing]

You'll want more then 1-2 plants....I'd agree with the 4-5 as long as they're the only fish in the tank

 

[fishboy619]

i back up what the others have said, 4-6 females is better, with lots of plants, not only to help the water but also to allow the girls to make terrories.caves, rocks/stones, wood, plants any thing in that tank will make it better for the aggression to lower out between them. of coruse leave room for swimming,lol

 

[demonmagus]

wow these little fish sound like DP aggression lol

 

[xanthianacid]

OK a good rule of thumb for female bettas in a tank is the more the better, I'd err on the side of caution and go the 6. There will most likely be a few to be picked on and you'll have a queen in the tank and a rival or two, the more that there is to be picked on the less any one fish need suffer. good luck!