I want to add one or two more females -

[BettaMomma]

It's becoming more apparent that Liza will not be joining her sisters back in the big tank.
SO, I want to add one (possibly two, if that will help aggression) to the tank. Should I even bother? I saw a really pretty copper colored one the other night and wouldn't mind getting her to add to the mix.

Would that cause issues?
I know I'd need to take the other ones out and put her in, then put them back in - and I would plan to rearrange the tank while they were out.

Would this work or should I just leave well enough alone?

 

[RandomWiktor]

Just to clarify... you mean adding females to the main tank, right?

I suppose attempting to add one might work, but maybe you could remove ALL the females, re-arrange the habitat a little, then put them back in with the new female so they don't just rip her apart? It might trick them into thinking they're somewhere new, which should cause a rift in their dominance hierarchy, giving the new girl a chance to integrate.

edit: oops, I'm dumb. you just said you were gonna do that.

However, if they're getting alone just fine, it might be better to not disturb what they've worked out. After all, there's no knowing if the new female will be super-agressive or super-shy, and you might end up with yet another loner female.

 

[BettaMomma]

Very true. I just feel like since little Liza didn't work out in there, I would LOVE to give some little betta a nice home that she might not otherwise have.

But I guess I should also think about the girls I already have. They are getting along just beautifully.

I think I'll leave them alone

 

[Kiarra]

That usually works just fine, BM. I've done it a couple times. Sometimes you can get away with just adding a female or two, and not have any dominance issues, but, where yours are such snotty (though cute!) little hags, rearranging the tank would be a great idea.

If that's something you want to do, then go ahead. I don't think it'd be a real big issue if you were careful and smart about it. And it's a good excuse to redecorate if there's anything you don't like.

 

[BettaMomma]

I might consider it down the road a little bit once the tank's cycled - because I'm going to be swapping some plants with 3fsh, too. I need to get the mondo grass outta my tank anyway - so I might just take everything out, vacuum it good and put everything back in completely rearranged.

But we'll see

I also want to get Liza and Floor Boy straightened away before I drag any more fish home.