Male and female betta pair...

[Origami Gourami]

Jasper, the wimpiest Betta known to man may soon be tying the knot. I've seen a selection of pretty little betta ladies at my lfs, and I'm wondering whether to end his days of bachelorhood.

As you can see, he occupies a community tank of some diversity, and everyone seems to be getting on just fine. Do you think a female (or a couple of females) would upset the balance, or would Jasper revel in his newfound status as Alpha male?

There's a difference in size; they seem to be a lot smaller (younger?) than him - barely an inch and a quarter in body length whereas he is a good two, possibly more.

Any advice would be appreciated. Would be nice to cheer up that grumpy little face!

 

[Kiri]

I have 4 females with my male betta in a community tank that has over 40 other fish in it and they give him something to show off to or chase. Having more than 2 females takes the pressure off one and reduces the stess as he will chase one and then get distracted by another as he's passing. The females almost play games with him...hillarious to watch.

 

[Origami Gourami]

Thanks Kiri, that sounds cute! He currently spends most of his day hurtling around chasing that pesky reflection that followed him from the fish shop, so it would be nice to give him some friends (although he seems quite friendly with my Red Tailed Shark; they follow each other around, 'do' lunch together amongst the plants, an unpredictable alliance if ever there was one!).

There were a few lovely blue and purple ladies in my lfs last time, would be nice to add a bit more colour to the tank.

Thanks for the advice, will keep you posted on how it goes!

 

[Carolinesugar]

sounds great!! i hope that he enjoys bigome, lol (i cant spell, lol)

it seems all male fish love their sex, so its obvious that he will be happy to have at least 2 girlies to hang out with, u neva know, the girls mite even get invited to "do" lunch with the men in the plants !!! sounds like ur abt to have 1 big happy community tank!

i love having my female bettas, although they dnt have a male, they hang out with the guppys, which is great since i was told they mite not get on! 1 of mine has great colouring, red with a touch of blue on the tips of her fins, which merges into purple where the colours join, shes very pretty! and the other is blue/turquise with red at the start of her fins, turning down in2 a deeper blue at the very tips!

Female bettas are great to watch, as they have lil "brakes" that look abit like landing gear on an areoplane to stop them swimming into things/other fish.

Gud luck!

 

[Origami Gourami]

I know what you mean Caroline, I love the feeler sticks on the gouramis - they gave my betta a good frisk when he first arrived (probably checking for smuggled goods - he has many pockets amongst those fins) then followed him around extending one stick as if to say 'hi'!

These little ladies were very pretty; Jasper is a lovely purple/blue so they should look nice together.

The shark appears to have appointed himself bodyguard, as whenever a school of neons come by the dining duo, he chases them off, like a dog amongst the sparrows - guess lunch is a private affair! Hope I don't create a love tiangle when I add the ladies...