New Betta's Arriving Today!

[kiwifeather]

Hi guys! Some of you might remember me deciding to convert my 60L-that-turned-out-to-be-a-90L tank into a female betta group. Welp, I managed to find a breeder, and she agreed to send 6 girls and one boy (for my 14L plastic bin, which is temporary, just won an auction for a 28L) my way... And they arrive today! The whole thing is going to be a big surprise, because I have no idea what colour and tail type the fish are going to be! I am assuming the are veil-tail, but the picture they had (a photo from the internet that "looked like the father" was defiantly a plakat. Colour's could be blue, aqua blue green, red, red and blue mixed, turquoise or something called "mushroom" and "mushroom" mixed with turquoise. For the boy I asked for something not red, to differ him from Atlas, my crowntail, but I just asked for a mix for the girls, so who knows what I will end up with!? I will defiantly post some pictures when they arrive (should be within the hour)!

I also was wondering if any of you could tell me what has likely happened to my boy Atlas. One of his fins spikes has lost all the skin or covering(?) off it. There is now just a white line (I am assuming this is the bone or something?)there. I am not sure how it happened, but it was while he was still in the big tank. I moved him back to his old 30L yesterday and that's when I noticed this. I don't think it was the Glowlight Tetra's fin-nipping him (they have been gone for 4 days) so I wonder if he scrapped or caught it on something in the tank? None of his other fins are like this and he seems himself otherwise. Grumpy little beggar flared at me yesterday! He has never flared at anything but his reflection before, but I think I took by surprise, popping out if nowhere haha! What do I need to do with this fin? Add some medicine of some kind or just leave it? I will try and get a picture when I get some of the new arrivals.

 

[kiwifeather]

Well the new guys are here! No photo's yet unfortunately because my camera decided that this was the perfect moment to throw a gigantic fit.
Already have my suspicions that I have at least two males, watching their behaviour. They are in the same tank (not ideal, I know, but they are very small still and I am monitoring them closely for any major problems), just until tomorrow when the new 28L arrives, it also comes with what I would guess to be about a 8-10L bowl. Haha I might end up needing it if there is mulitple males. And a divider or two! After all, there are only two I am sure are female. Everybody is flaring and carrying on at each other. They almost all have badly nipped fins, probably because they were all in the same bag for nearly 24 hours, as I have not seen any nipping yet, just flaring and following, but no full on aggression. One in particular I am sure is a plakat male, but its very hard to tell for certain because they are all so young still. I can't believe how tiny they are! I knew they were young, but the are about the same size as glowlight tetras! I think I have a mix of veiltails and plakats, but will have to wait and see till they are bigger. I am no expert on tail types that is for sure. Colour's are mixes of blues, violets and turquoises, the "official" male is particularly striking, with a blue body, then red tipped, then blackish blue tipped fins. He is the only one that colour. Can't wait to see him full grown!

Will try and put them in a small, separate container for photo's there is no way I am going to get them in that jungle of a big tank.

 

[Neptune54]

Good luck!

 

[seizethecupcake]

I can't wait to see photos! Tiny bettas are so adorable Your boy sounds especially striking, I'd love to see him!

 

[pablothebetta]

Looking forward to pics Females will fight while the heirachy develops, so could it just be that rather than extra males? They sound tiny though

 

[kiwifeather]

Sooooo, got the photo's guys! Not the best and a bit of an overload, but hopefully they will be good enough for someone to tell me exactly what is what in terms of gender, and confirm they are all veiltails, which I now suspect they are. Remember that only the first is actually meant to be male. The name in speech quotes is just a temporary nick-name while I try to learn to recognise who is who.
Warning for image heavy!!!

1. "Big-Fin" Male, blue, red and black. Fin has a big chunk out of it, as you can see. The grumpiest little git I have ever seen. Basically flares all day every day. At anything. Plants apparently offend him greatly.

2. "Pale-boy" Male, pale greyish blue with red tints, might not be showing true colours yet. Apart from a slight nick his(?) fins seem to be fine. Have seen flaring from this one, but certainly more placid than big-fin boy.
http/www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/kiwifeathers/19276091264/2/tumblr_m0uwk9Moyo1qmffl2

3. "Bright-Blue" I think this one is female, but urgh bad pic does not help.(Actually looking at in tank right now and it is looking rather male-esque) Mostly bright blue with small amount of red. Fins are not damaged as far as I can see.
http/www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/kiwifeathers/19276091264/3/tumblr_m0uwk9Moyo1qmffl2

4. "Tattered-fins" This girls fins are in the worst condition of the lot, very tattered. She is showing stress stripes in this pic, but doesn't normally. Blue mixed with red. Confidant girl, which is probably a good explanation for the stare of her fins.
http/www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/kiwifeathers/19276091264/4/tumblr_m0uwk9Moyo1qmffl2

5. "Nicked-Fin" This one is a complete toss-up between a boy or a girl. I honestly have no clue haha. Violet, blue and red mixed. The second biggest snot in the tank.
http/www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/kiwifeathers/19276091264/5/tumblr_m0uwk9Moyo1qmffl2

6. "Stress-stripe girl" Nervous little thing who hasn't lost her stress stripes yet, although they have faded a bit since I got her. In good light and when she is a bit calmer she appears to be mostly violet with some blue. Surprisingly has no fin damage, clearly knows how to keep out of the way.
http/www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/kiwifeathers/19276091264/6/tumblr_m0uwk9Moyo1qmffl2

7. Squared-fin" Again, I am not sure with this one, but leaning towards a female, more so than a male. This photo really is not helpful, but this one is pretty much all blue, just slight tinges of red. Fins are in quite a mess. Seems mostly placid.
http/www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/kiwifeathers/19276091264/7/tumblr_m0uwk9Moyo1qmffl2


Here is a bunch of pics of the tank and the babbus in the tank, they might be helpful!

http/www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/kiwifeathers/19279614123/1/tumblr_m0v0nkni1G1qmffl2

http/www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/kiwifeathers/19279614123/2/tumblr_m0v0nkni1G1qmffl2

http/www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/kiwifeathers/19279614123/3/tumblr_m0v0nkni1G1qmffl2

http/www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/kiwifeathers/19279614123/4/tumblr_m0v0nkni1G1qmffl2

http/www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/kiwifeathers/19279614123/5/tumblr_m0v0nkni1G1qmffl2

http/www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/kiwifeathers/19279614123/6/tumblr_m0v0nkni1G1qmffl2

http/www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/kiwifeathers/19279614123/7/tumblr_m0v0nkni1G1qmffl2

http/www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/kiwifeathers/19279614123/9/tumblr_m0v0nkni1G1qmffl2

http/www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/kiwifeathers/19279614123/10/tumblr_m0v0nkni1G1qmffl2

And these ones are more of the tank, so you can see how much it has changed since the last time I posted a pic of it.

http/www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/kiwifeathers/19279951567/1/tumblr_m0v15jKKFm1qmffl2

http/www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/kiwifeathers/19279951567/2/tumblr_m0v15jKKFm1qmffl2

http/www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/kiwifeathers/19279951567/4/tumblr_m0v15jKKFm1qmffl2

http/www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/kiwifeathers/19279951567/6/tumblr_m0v15jKKFm1qmffl2

 

[lilfishie]

you need to remove the male immediately, you should never house both sexes together, no wonder there fighting, it does look like a few of your 'females' could indeed be males Pale-boy for sure the others to be honest also look pretty manly

Check through the link in my signature on telling PK males

My thoughts are

Bright blue ~ Male
Tattered-fins ~ Male
Nicked-Fin ~ Female
Stress-stripe ~ Female *ps she won't loose her stripes as the male/s will be stressing her out*
Squared-fin ~ with that pic i'd say male

Where did you get them? a breeder should easily be able to sex them if they know what there doing, and they all look VT incase you was wondering

 

[kiwifeather]

you need to remove the male immediately, you should never house both sexes together, no wonder there fighting, it does look like a few of your 'females' could indeed be males Pale-boy for sure the others to be honest also look pretty manly

Check through the link in my signature on telling PK males

My thoughts are

Bright blue ~ Male
Tattered-fins ~ Male
Nicked-Fin ~ Female
Stress-stripe ~ Female *ps she won't loose her stripes as the male/s will be stressing her out*
Squared-fin ~ with that pic i'd say male

Where did you get them? a breeder should easily be able to sex them if they know what there doing, and they all look VT incase you was wondering

I know that I need to move the boy(s), and they will be today (I was waiting on a new tank, unfortunately it has come very late). It was only a temporary measure, as I said above. They have only been in together for two days here at my place, but I imagine they were all still living together at the breeders, seeing as they are still not much bigger than a terta. I think that all the fin damage came from the 24 hours they all spent in the same bag while they were in transit to me.

Basically I am screwed then am I not? I can certainly not afford any more tanks (tanks and fish stuff are horrendously expensive here e.g $150-$200 for what would be a 10 Gallon tank) and all the stuff that needs to go in them (heaters, plants, gravel, filters etc etc), and now it looks like I am stuck with possibly 5 males and only 3 tanks and a bowl for them to go in! I am so cross with the "breeder" now, but there is nothing I can do about it as they live quite far away. She told me she was sending 6 females and a male and all I could do was believe she knew what she was doing. Unfortunately in New Zealand there are no proper betta breeders that I am aware of (perhaps in Auckland) most fish come from the fish version of dog backyard breeders, people who just chuck a male and female together.

Urghhhhhh what to do?!

 

[Cazgar]

As a temporary measure can you get hold of some dividers?
That would give you some time to decide what to do if you do have more males than you thought you'd have.
You could possibly sell some of the males on once their fins improve

 

[kiwifeather]

As a temporary measure can you get hold of some dividers?
That would give you some time to decide what to do if you do have more males than you thought you'd have.
You could possibly sell some of the males on once their fins improve

Well the new tank actually came with a divider as a very nice surprise (thank goodness!) so I have space for at least two boys there, plus there is a bowl, but that wouldn't be heated... would it be okay for one boy to stay in the big tank, at least temporarily? Once two or three of them are out of there, there will be a lot of space.
No pet shops or locals here are really after any more bettas, there is a "breeder" (I use the term loosely, more like farmer) that churns them out almost constantly, so they are very hard to sell. Plus who knows how long it will take for those fins to grow back.
Secretly hoping people are wrong about at least a couple of the genders (though I highly doubt it at this point). What a mess!

 

[kiwifeather]

So I have named everybody! Keeping with the Greek myths theme.

Big-Fin is now Tartarus. (Confirmed Male)
Pale-boy is now Aether. (Confirmed Male)
Squared-fins is now Gaia. (Might be male, to be honest it behaves very meekly, have never seen it flare, and has much shorter bottom fins than Tartarus and Aether, so I am leaning more towards female)
Bright blue is now Hyades. (Confirmed Male)
Stress-stripe is now Calypso. (Confirmed Female)
Tattered Fin is now Koios. (Might be male)
and Nicked Fin is now Theia. (Confirmed Female)

The divided tank looks pretty nice, and now houses Tatarus and Aether. Its been a bit of trial and error (Tatarus has escaped into Aether's side three times now, he is determined to have a go at him! Poor guy lost all his colour ((he is actually bright turquoise and not pale at all!)) and gained stress stripes in about three seconds the first time.) but I think I now have it so they will not escape into each other's sides.

I mulled over putting Hyades in the bowl, but have decided against it because the bowl is really tiny and is not heated. I will not compromise his welfare just because he is male. Now the major aggressor (Tatarus) has been removed, all seems peaceful in the tank, at least for now... I will monitor the situation closely, and hopefully this will do for now.

I still have no idea what to do long term. There is literally no where else in the house for a tank.

Also, on another unrelated note, Atlas' fin is now fine

 

[kiwifeather]

Just a quick update. I put Aether back into the big tank, and exchanged him for Hyades. Aether is a big softie and having Tatarus next-door was really freaking him out, so I watched the tank and noticed Hyades was picking on Calypso, so I decided he would be able to stand up for himself a bit more. Aether is much better behaved with the girls, I have never seen him have a go at them and now Calypso has finally lost her stress stripes! She is such a lovely purplish hue... Hyades and Tatarus flare at each other nearly every time they simultaneously swim alongside the divider, but nobody is showing stress stripes now. I just worry about them flaring too much.