Family Feud

[prue07]

So i finaly bought myself a betta and i love him to death!! His name is Johnny Famechon (fam-e-shon)...after the boxer? I put him in a tank by himself because im a bit worried at this stage that he'l be picked on by some of my other fish. He loves his new tank, always swimming inside of my treasure chest and poking his head out the top. BUT i thought he looked a bit lonely so i yesterday i decided to buy him a female. My LFS told me that i should buy two females just in case i have an angry fighter and he tries to beat up on the one, but two should be fine. Ive had them in overnight now and he still wont stop chasing them!! One of them has taken refuge up against my filter and the other in a samll crevice next to the tank...but Johnny wont leave them alone! This morning i woke up and his front fins are torn so i think the girls are getting their own back! what is going on? why wont they get along? Anyway, i thought id do the right thing and remove the girls into the big tank, but within 2 minutes they were attacking my cory catfish! they keep harrassing the other fish. Im so confused..should i take them back to my LFS?

Prue

 

[stiffler69]

So i finaly bought myself a betta and i love him to death!! His name is Johnny Famechon (fam-e-shon)...after the boxer? I put him in a tank by himself because im a bit worried at this stage that he'l be picked on by some of my other fish. He loves his new tank, always swimming inside of my treasure chest and poking his head out the top. BUT i thought he looked a bit lonely so i yesterday i decided to buy him a female. My LFS told me that i should buy two females just in case i have an angry fighter and he tries to beat up on the one, but two should be fine. Ive had them in overnight now and he still wont stop chasing them!! One of them has taken refuge up against my filter and the other in a samll crevice next to the tank...but Johnny wont leave them alone! This morning i woke up and his front fins are torn so i think the girls are getting their own back! what is going on? why wont they get along? Anyway, i thought id do the right thing and remove the girls into the big tank, but within 2 minutes they were attacking my cory catfish! they keep harrassing the other fish. Im so confused..should i take them back to my LFS?

Prue

The fish are on steroids there is nothing you can do roid rage is a terrible thing.

Put them back in with the male and leave them be they need to distinquish who the daddy is then he can get down to laying down some laws to them females.

More jokes sorry i cant help you i know nothing about these fish so please dont take my advice i just found the family dillema title funny.

 

[prue07]

Haha, i wnated something that people might actually read and reply to...not exactly your reply i had in mind, but i appreciate it anyway... god i really hope they're not on steoroids. i was going to call him sylvester after sylvester stallone...maybe that would have been more appropriate

 

[ibbledibble]

you should never keep a male betta with any other betta unless breeding and then you need to know what your doing and only keep them together for very limited times. your LFS is talking complete rubbish.
Some males are best (and happiest) kept completely alone, and it sounds like yours may be one of them.
Girls need to be kept either singly, or in groups of 3 or more to reduce aggression and again while some are fine with other fish some are not. it all depends on temperament again it sounds like your females are too aggressive for a community tank.
It would probably be best to take the girls back to the LFS. and please read some of the posts in this section of the forum. make sure you have all the info on bettas.

 

[prue07]

wow. thats not good.
Ok, thanks for the help. Just for the record though, i have been on the web all morning and so many websites say its ok even if not breeding! i feel so misinformed
looks like Il be wishing my girls goodluck in the big wide world of bettas..hope they dont attack anything else on the way!

 

[modaz]

wow. thats not good.
Ok, thanks for the help. Just for the record though, i have been on the web all morning and so many websites say its ok even if not breeding! i feel so misinformed
looks like Il be wishing my girls goodluck in the big wide world of bettas..hope they dont attack anything else on the way!

where on earth did you read this? total nonsense, give it a while and expect a dead female, the only time that some bettas of both sexes will live for a period of time together is when they are in spawning mode, and then a close eye is needed, leave the females with the cories as things will settle down once they know that the cories are really no threat, remember that some females come from species tanks and a cory is alien to them so thats why they are having a go at them as they see them as in the pecking order line

 

[prue07]

really? ok, ive put them back in with my other fish...i just really hope they dont make trouble, i would feel so guilty about introducing these angry fish into my peaceful aquarium, i dont think my cory would ever forgive me
I cant remember where i looked but il check it out ad post my story to them and make it clear that its not true!
again, thanks for the help from you all...i might be able to keep the girls if things settle down in my big tank!

 

[devon_charm]

It makes me mad when the LFS say that it is ok to do this. I too was told it was ok when i first started out. People on here know what they are talking about so you can be safe in thinking they wont lead you wrong. Keep an eye on you girls tho as sometimes they will not settle. If i was you i would take them back and ask for a refund, tbh i would ask for compensation on the hasstle and the damage to your boy but thats just me. Any how good luck whith what you decide to do. As a side note pics are always welcome

 

[groupiekilla06]

*Edited to remove double post*

 

[groupiekilla06]

Now one thing that wasn't mentioned is that how well a male betta gets along with other companions (never another male and rarely a female) also depends on the size of the tank. I don't suggest putting any companions with a male betta in anything less than 5 gallons, not even a large snail. I have heard of one situation where a male and female were kept together in a well planted, well stocked 30 gallon tank and they did not fight. At least they haven't yet. There are species that are more placid than others, i think Betta Malachi is one, and can be kept in a group or trio. But Betta Splendens are usually too feisty and aggressive for that. I don't know how long you've had your betta or how much research you did prior to aquiring him but you will soon learn his moods and characteristics, even his personality. Have a safe and fun time with your boy! And goos luck with your girls.