BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish PLEASE help two new bettas!!!

Hi,

I've been wanting betta fish for a while now. Today for my birthday I just got two from my sister. She also bought a tank that was ment for two bettas. but of course it had a divider so they wouldn't fight.

I was caught a little off gaurd. Even though i wanted one for a while i have to admit i didn't do all my homework on it. if i knew i was going to be getting one i would have looked alot more up than i did.

So i started looking today and found that a 2.5+ gallons tank seems to be the best idea for (one) beta fish, correct? and toys like little places for them to hide in (i have NONE ack poor fishys!)

I love animals and i really want to make my new betta's (didn't name them yet either) happy! But i'm reading so many different opinons. At first they guy at the petstore told me that the Betta's LIKED to be in smaller containers. Now i hear that they can SURVIVE in small places and but don't exactly LIKE them. Please help me out! I'm starting to lean towards a bigger tank but not TOO big like a 10 gal or something. maybe a 4 or 5?? please help!

Thanks so much!

Well, today I went out and got a 2.5 gallon container and it's working great! But the divider for the two bettas is see through, and they see each other! One is bigger than the other and i think he intemidates the smaller one. He flares all his [GORGEOUS] fins and looks at the other. The smaller one kidna backs away in the corner by his plant it's horrible. Will they ever get used to each other? I hear that this causes stress on the fishys....i don't want them understress what do I do? KEep one in one tank and the other in another? I don't think i'd want three tanks (i have another fish in the old smaller tank making two tanks)
Any Advice??

The bigger one will keep intimidating the other as long as they can see each other. If you want to use the same tank add some greenery or something against the divider so they don't see each other.

Bettas are kept in small cups because they breathe air. Size doesn't matter - just the ability to get to the surface. You can actually keep a betta in with other fish. You simply can't have 2 bettas in the same (undivided) tank.

Hope that helps.

Bettas can survive in small cups...but would YOU want to live in a closet?

Some bettas enjoy being able to see one another. Some do not. It would seem that these guys are simply not compatable with being in each other's line of sight, so I would agree with Denise: put some sort of divider up that the two cannot see through. In some pet stores you can find a tank background that may work well, or some fake plants (use silk, since plastic plants can tear fins) might be beneficial, as long as they cannot squeeze between the plants and the divider. Also be sure the divider goes all the way to the top of the tank and you put a cover on it, to prevent one from jumping into the other's side, since bettas are jumpers.

If you search the internet, you should be able to come up with some fish that are compatible with bettas. I don't really know the specifics, but they must be non-aggressive fish that do not have long fins (as bettas can be tempted to chew on these)

I actually disagree with the practice of keeping them in small cups; I was referring to her question on size. I tend to think bigger is better for ALL animals except for a rare few like tarantulas. I personally think bettas are stunning in a tank full of fish so aesthetically as well as morally I'd go with a bigger tank <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I've kept a betta in a tank with swords and tetras that worked out well.

Oh yes, I wasn't implying that you were saying that, it was more in response to that numbnut from petsmart <img src="/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Ok here at the basics of beta keeping...

1 pretty stable temperature of 74-78/80
2 small water filter
3 some kind of ground cover- gravel or decorative jems
4 plants -real or fake
5 things for stimulation

I have my beta in a 1 gallon tank which works well for him, though I am looking to upgrade to a 2 1/2 gallon. He has dark gravel, plastic plants and a tiny filter.

When you set up plants and rocks and other things for them to play in or around, you have to keep in mind that they are going to be in this space the rest of their life! -so make it interesting. And obviously the more room you have the more creative you can get. With the plants it makes it more interesting to have differnt heights and kinds. I try to stager them or make it so they can swim around, zoom around them or go into little hiding corners. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I would recommend a 5.5 gallon, since you dont want two more tanks. a whisper filter is really good for small tanks. If the output is too strong, secure a knee high panty hose over the output to dull it. Take a panty hose, cut it in half. If you use the toe, just secure it around the top of the filter. If you use the top, tie a knot in the bottom (the end without elastic) and secure the elastic end around the top. Good Luck!! It sounds like you are really concerned with being a good betta parent! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hey yall! sorry i haven't been on in a while but i read and appreciete all yall's help! Shyper died. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> he was sick from when he came from the store i got him from. I got another betta (i was really second guessing doing this, cuz i thought that i had killed my other one) but so now i'm making sure i'm doing everything right so he'll stay healthy. and he's good! he's lively, and energetic, he's eating, and loves swimming in the flower and the filter tube and just goes. he's in a 2.5 gallon which is doing great.

I'm really glad your new beta is healthy and active. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> He should make a very good companion for you. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Does he have a name yet?

Also, sorry that Shypher died. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> It's hard sometimes to tell if pets are sick when we get them, from the stress of moving or something me do by mistake. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Trust me I know that all too well. Before I was able to tell if a fish was already sick, I kept buying sick fish from the store that would die within the first week I had them. It was very sad, but now that you have some experience I am sure you and your new pet will be very happy.