One Male Betta In A Tank Full Of Females...

[Lisa67]

I currently have a group of female betta in a 16 gal, heavily decorated tank (lots of hiding spots). I've read everywhere that you can't put a male and female together unless it's for mating purposes. However, I have never seen anything about putting one male in with 6 or 7 females. My thought is that he would be intimidated because he would be so out-numbered. I wasn't really planning to try it, just curious.

Also, what is the largest number of females anyone has kept together? I have 7 in the 16 gal and all is quite peaceful. I origionally only had 2 and even they got along without incident. I'd really like to add one or two more because most of mine are either primarily red or blue. I'd like a little more color. I have a filter, heater and do very frequent water changes so water quality isn't my concern. I just don't want to be WAY overstocked.

 

[Fishy friend2]

It is very rare that a male and a female Betta can be kept in the same tank of that size, honestly I would never in my life, recommend someone to do this

Oh and for your 2nd question I think that 9 to 10 female can be kept in a 16 gallon heavily planted tank

 

[lilfishie]

in that sized tank it wouldn't work, have heard it done in larger tanks, although i don't recommend it myself

 

[LadyDragon]

If there are enough females to keep him distracted (so he can't pick on any single female, because he is too busy bullying ALL of them) and there are enough hiding places it can work in a tank big enough... But it can be unnessucerily stressful for everyone. And one never knows when any given fish will go on a murderous rampage and kill/wound/maim everyone!

Breeding blogs I've read lead me to bellieve it's not uncommon for a male to bully the female all day, only to have her "get revenge" at night so when they check on them in the morning the MALE is missing ALL of his fins! Also sororities do occasionally suffer from one girl randomly deciding to kill everyone in the tank with her! I chose to err on the side of caution... They are a bit too antisocial and savage by nature (super territorial) that I prefer to keep it zen and give everyone their own little spaces

 

[Lisa67]

I just came across this post that I put up well over a year ago...back then I had said I would never try it, but without knowing it, I actually had put one male in with 6 females (I had no knowledge of betta at the time, and the store had him marked as female, which he obviously is not).  They have all been successfully living together for about 17 months!  No sign of mating, but the tank is quite peaceful.

 

[AshP1986]

Lisa can we see a pic of the mislabeled male?

 

[Lisa67]

I have it in another post...try this link http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/380121-is-this-really-a-female-pics/
 
It was members of this discussion board that said he's a male...what do you think?

 

[Wildbetta]

I would definately say that is a male.  I do not agree with leaving him in the tank once you have found out that it is indeed a male and not a long finned female.  You are living on borrowed time with your setup.  All it will take is one of the girls to get sick or hurt ect which would upset the fragile balance in the hierarchy.  Upsetting this balance is all that is needed to start a war and end up with you losing one fish or more. It is normally not the male you have to watch out for in these situations -- it is the females as they can be as aggressive if not more so than a male.  Just be aware of this fact.  I do think he is a pretty boy though.  As for your other question:  I have had up to 17 females in my last sorority and that worked out for a long time.  Lots of plants, lots of decor/hiding places, and lots of careful scrutiny to ensure no major issues.

 

[AshP1986]

Interesting... I replied on that post Are the fins any longer?

 

[Lisa67]

No, the fins are not very long but definitely longer than the females. I disagree with removing him from a completely peaceful environment after a year and a half. I spoke to a reputable pet store owner who states he's had several seups with one male to several females without problems.