Want A Sorority

[K.J.]

I'm going to try to see if I can return the platies back to the pet shop, which they probably won't do, because they're just having too many fry for me and I can't keep up. Anyway, if I ever do succeed in that I want to try a sorority tank again. Last time I tried, there was accident while on vacation and yeah. Mainly I want it because a: an excuse to get 3 more bettas b: so I don't have to worry about the filter capooing and c: for the sheer enjoyment and lack of babies! Will 5 be an OK number? I don't know if I really want to get up to six.

 

[Lynda B]

What size is your tank?

 

[K.J.]

Oops sorry, it's a ten gallon. It has a penguin 20 biowheel filter, though, I can switch it to a whisper for 20 galoons and lower the flow rate, but then it wouldn't be cycled considering the penguin 20 doesn't have biobags.

 

[Lynda B]

5 females are going to produce enough waste product that you want a strong enough filter to handle it..... and they can handle a good filter. This should really be treated as any other tropical fish tank.

You've got me curious though, what happened to your other sorority tank while you were on vacation?

I wouldn't have anything less than 5 females in a tank, because otherwise you'll have a *****-fest on your hands, and the golden rule is 5 females per 10 gallons. The more females, the the more serene the tank.

 

[K.J.]

Basically, I don't know. It was only a three day vacation, I told my brother to feed them a couple pellets a night, and not to do anything else. As far as I know he didn't. He's rather apathetic and probably wouldn't care to feed them more. Anyway, when I got back he was like "oh hey... one of your fish is dead. been there for 2 days." Looked like dropsy, and from then on out (I replaced her) the rest got killed by dropsy until one was left, who later died from advanced fin rot. So, it just didn't turn out. Also there was only four and I did notice aggresion problems. So five would be perfect? Hmm... I hope my pet shop will accept the platies back (plus 1 juvenile and about 15 fry, LOL) if not, I guess, I can't do it.

 

[Lynda B]

Sounds like you've had some experience returning things to your lfs. Not necessarily a good thing.

As far as 5 being the perfect number, it depends on the fish. If you get good quality, healthy, young females, you'll probably end up with some bettas with great personality and the ability to co-mingle. It's all about the fish. You can't predetermine whether it will work or not. Each female will need a little space in the tank to call her own, so a plant or something where she can settle down at the end of the day. They'll need aquarium salt, dechlorinator and weekly water changes, even with the filter. They'll need things to explore in the tank. Mine like their bubbler. My 30 gallon community tank is easier to take care of than my 15 gallon sorority tank. But it's well worth the effort. When I turn their light on and say "good morning, girls" and 8 faces come up to the glass to greet me, that's heaven.

 

[K.J.]

Aww I've never had to return any live products, but, I have a feeling they wouldn't take it or if they did they'd just kill it. But I'll ask.

 

[emerging]

K.J.,

Off topic, but I'm wondering, where did you find that betta fish image in your signature line? I've seen others around here with customized betta images and I'd love to know.

Thanks!

 

[K.J.]

There was someone on here a while ago making them, but she hasn't replied to her thread for weeks, so I guess she must have quit.

 

[emerging]

There was someone on here a while ago making them, but she hasn't replied to her thread for weeks, so I guess she must have quit.

Oh well, thanks anyway!