Sorority In The Planning!

[attibones]

After an unfortunate loss of all my aquariums, except for my ten gallon for my crowntail Phoenix, I am planning a betta sorority. These tanks have always fascinated me, an I love the males, so why not females?

I'm looking for additions to my list of needed items, as well as any suggestions for keeping a calm group.

20 gallon long
Driftwood
IAL (if I can get my LFS to order them for me)
A variety of tall plants like several anubius species, as few as a few dwarf amazon swords, probably jungle val, etc (any plant ideas would be great)
8 females
Appropriate heating and filtration
Clay pot caves
Probably sand

Also, would I be able to house any other fish? I rather like harlequin rasboras but I'm certainly up for other species.

Does anyone know any good links for further research or anything of the sort?

 

[Shelster]

Ooh now this I am looking forward to

Do you have an eBay account? I purchased my IAL online from eBay but I am in UK.

Good luck with this atti

 

[attibones]

I'm pretty pumped about it. I'll look into the IAL on eBay, but I don't currently have an account.

I've been thinking on this for a while and then I went to Petco yesterday to pick up dog food. Obviously I had to go to the fish section and they had several beautiful females, which has thus made me expedite the process of getting this tank together.

 

[wrightt3]

I would personally just get about 20 or so bettas but if you want a mix then I don't see why you couldn't have 10 bettas and 10 rasboras

 

[attibones]

I believe twenty bettas in a twenty gallon would be pushing it. That would leave very little room for swimming space, especially if you consider the density of plants I'm hoping to achieve. Twenty seems more reasonable. I've never kept harlequins though, so I'm not sure how zippy they are and that sort of thing. I have not made any decisions on the rasboras.

Thanks or the input though

 

[Awilcox]

10-15 females are great in a sorority in my opinion. I had a very happy sorority with 12 girls in a 15 gallon. Lots and lots and lots of hiding spaces!!

 

[Wildbetta]

I recommend close to 20 females no matter how dense you plant the tank.  They are better "crowded" which keeps them from picking on one particular female.  You will need lots of hiding places as well as heavy planting.  If you want, you can do less female bettas and some harleys but I will caution you that female bettas can work in a pack mentality and "hunt" other fish so that is something to think about.  To help with aggression, I recommend finding a breeder and seeing if you can get a group of females that way.  They tend to be more used to living in a sorority setting already and are healthier than pet store fish which is very important when thinking of a sorority.  I have had multiple sororities and the number one piece of advice I can give you is, to monitor them closely so that you can notice any sign of illness before it spreads because it can (and will) spread quickly in that type of environment.

 

[ncguppy830]

but isnt 20 gallon overstocked even if they like being crowded?

 

[Wildbetta]

You could go to a full 20 females but I recommended close which I meant around 17.  That is my fault, I should have been more specific. In a 20 gallon long it is ok because of the footprint of the tank.  Normally I am against getting that close to capacity but with betta sororities and with some cichlids(I have heard -never kept cichlids myself) being a little overstocked to keep them crowded is best.  Just up your filter to make sure it is capable but since bettas don't really put off a ton of bioload and with a ton of plants, it wouldn't be hard to keep the levels pristine.

 

[snowflake311]

Females can be just as mean as males. I hope you can handle the stress. Both you and your fish will be stressed out. Keeping females together seems like a great idea at first then the reality set in. Female or males they both do much better in separate tank IME.

I kept a sorority tank for a year never again I said.

 

[attibones]

I understand that they can be aggressive, but this is something I want to try. If it does not work out, I've got an LFS who could take some, and I could always use dividers should such a situation arise.

I was planning on building a sponge filter for one side of the tank and a HOB for the other side. This should provide me with plenty of filtration.

Twenty seems a lot, but I do trust your opinion WildBetta, so I'll try to find sixteen females. I'll do some research as the tank cycles for a good breeder. As I recall, RCA lives in southern Tennessee which is about a two hour drive. I wonder if RCA will know of a breeder nearby?

Females can be just as mean as males. I hope you can handle the stress. Both you and your fish will be stressed out. Keeping females together seems like a great idea at first then the reality set in. Female or males they both do much better in separate tank IME.
I kept a sorority tank for a year never again I said.

Oh, by the way, was it just aggression that caused your tank (and you) so much stress or were there any other issues you would like to share?

 

[Shelster]

RCA lives in Yorkshire UK Atti.

 

[Wildbetta]

LOL  I think you have me and RCA confused.  I live in southern TN and she lives in the UK.  I don't breed splendens but I do know some breeders that have some good fish and will sell females in groups.  Blackwater Bettas is someone you should check out on FB.  She breeds and is a member of the IBC (actually running for president right now) and she has some gorgeous fish.
 
I do agree that sororities are stressful for both the fish and the keeper BUT if the right conditions are met then it is no more stressful than a normal community tank. The best way to set one up is to make sure you have a ton of hiding spots and plants -- both of which allow the females to avoid each other when needed.  My sorority tank was so dense at times that you could not always see the fish.  When I would do a trim you could tell because there would be a few more injuries(scales missing and fins nipped) than when it was a thick jungle.  Another thing is that your choice of females makes a big difference as "sisters" normally are less likely to have as many issues.  This is especially true since they are healthier and more used to being kept in a group setting.

 

[attibones]

Indeed, I am getting you and RCA confused! I'll check out the breeder you mentioned.

When selecting them, does age matter at all? Say a breeder has a group of females at a few months and a group closer to a year. Would the youngest batch be the more ideal group? I'm assuming the group should all go in at once.

The tank is going to be densely planted, several pieces of driftwood, and I'm thinking four or five pots for caves, as well as some PVC pipes. Should be satisfactory for hiding spots, yes?

 

[attibones]

I don't have a Facebook account, so I borrowed my mother's. I couldn't find any information on when this current batch of HM babies would be ready, but they look like they'll be pretty. Do you know where this breeder is located? I couldn't find that information anywhere (but I don't know how to work Facebook...) and I would rather drive and collect the fish than have them shipped.

EDIT: Missouri. Definitely not driving there.