A betta tommorrow

[Mr. Shums]

Fair is fair, I took what everyone said into consideration and I'm currently in the process of rebuilding the tank. The betta fish are isolated and while they are functioning less then in the tank I am noticing a better more natural mental health.

While I'm still going to presue a community tank I'm going to do it with the health and well being of the fish in mind. I would greatly appreciate the input of breeders and enthusiasts in my presuit of this safer, more practical dream.

I'm now giving consideration to territories and how I could recreate them. I'd imagine this will involve the psyche of the fishes themselves so it's going to be a very well thought out process, and I'd like to do it with the communities help.

Until the tank is finished the bettas will remain isolated and well cared for.
I can only say that while my heart was in the right place, and that I will succeed in seeing bettas living together in a natural harmony. No matter how many years it may take.


I'll be updating frequently with new ideas and research. I would appreciate if you can supply me with your own findings and insight in the near future.

Edit: In my defense I didn't run away and continue my experiments, after I read your reactions I sat down and observed my fish. Coming to the conclusion that I was wrong I began searching for my own personal solution, I believe I have a new structure of thought for the tank. I am starting from scratch though, and bearing the agressive nature of the bettas in first mind.

 

[wuvmybetta]

Mr.Shums, that is very awesome to hear Keep us posted! And good luck!

Can I say one thing though? That hexagon just won't work. In my opinion a hexagon is the most useless tank design ever. Pretty though they may be they don't offer length or space. I had a 42 set up for a while and there was absolutely nothing to stock it with so I gave it to a friend who made it a reef tank. Get a twenty or thirty long, possibly even bigger and go from there.

 

[Mr. Shums]

I think I'm going to start with four fish and a ten gallon.

Seeing as how they like swimming at the bottom or at the top, it makes alot more practical sense to use a longer tank instead of a taller one.

Simplicity it seems will play a big role in my tank, since betta fish seem to enjoy that more then more elaborate designs I've come up with.

I do think you're right though, ideally a twenty gallon would work best.

Thirty seems a bit exessive as the fish are so small and they tend to stay together anyway, fighting or not.

 

[GSD]

thankyou
If you need any help caring for your betta there are loads of people whod be willing to take some on.

can i suggest making a female betta community tank?the females are much less stressed by this than the males and you can still make the tank look amazing and put lots of hiing spaces in it.This would be loads better than the males

i ddont think the hax tank will work either.I would get a long tank.As big as you can!

or try to get bettas which are from the same spawn that might help

 

[SRC]

Those Hex tanks...make a great tree frog tank btw.

 

[Mr. Shums]

I was thinkin piranha

And I've done the female tank thing, it's nice and all but they just always seem to be waiting for a male, and all swarm to mate with the net when I put it in there.

I was thinking 3 females for every male.

Maybe four if I get a large enough tank.

 

[OohFeeshy]

If you really wanted to do it, you'd have to have a very large tank. I mean, very. And with as much surface area as possible. With lots of plants and cover. A ten gallon, or TBH even a 20 will only be good for females only.

 

[wuvmybetta]

I was thinkin piranha

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Oh brother! Here we go again.....

 

[black angel]

If you go find wuvs thread on her kribs then that type of tank would be ideal. But I'm still not sure about a mixed colony, maybe one male and a few females might just work but a very long tank is what you need.

here it is
its the 13th post down.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=99153

 

[OohFeeshy]

I'd only suggest a maximum of one male per tank, after all, I'd imagine it was the males ripping into each other rather then the females most of the time. Also, the fry won't be too good a thing to have. A possible 500+ babies per spawn, male getting aggressive during and after spawning, all the fry to feed, jar and rehome....

 

[Andie]

I'd suggest looking at anything from a 50-100 gal long if you even hope to have more than one male to coexist peacefully. After watching my four girls (supposedly somewhat easier to cohabitate than males!) rip into each other in their 10g, I really think the biggest tank you can possibly find room for, the better. Plant it heavily, get as creative with hidey holes as your budget will allow, and keep us posted

ETA: Don't look at my tank as an example of heavy planting! My tank isn't finished, and won't be until September when I'm back in my dorm room.

 

[Elise]

I am so glad that you sat down to really think about the experiment!


I would add lots of plants like Java Fern and such so each betta may have his/her own little area. And lots of caves and hiding places.


Good luck on your future research.

 

[Naughtygirlrlw]

Kudos to you Mr. Shums! It takes a big person (yes, I avoided saying Man!)
to not only admit that they were wrong but be gracious in their acknowledgement.

 

[Mr. Shums]

I think that fifty gallons is awful exsessive. It's certainly easier but I think by creating 2 possibly 3 territories within the tank hoping that I can limit the males movement to the point where they're so satisfied with that envirment that they rarely leave that area.

Coming up with a general betta territory is going to be the biggest hump here. There's such little literature on bettas, atleast other then basic care. It's frustrating sometimes, I'm just glad that I've found a community that feels the pain. So to speak.

 

[fishykisses]

i'm wondering if spawn siblings would co-habitate better together if given the proper tank - caves, plants, lots and lots of hidey holes and SPACE (length to get away from each other)
I got my 7ft - 96G aquarium from the buy and sell, i'm not sure where you're located but if you have something like that to look at, you might be able to find a really decent tank for quite a good price. I paid $350CAD and it came with full cabinet and all accessories...Mind you i had to replace a lot but it was still a really good deal.
hope this helps