BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish Two males, same tank question...

Hi everyone, my name's Renee and I'm new to this forum. Anywho, I went to our new PETSMART tonight and purchased two male bettas. One is just your general male betta, his name is Gallileo and he's all red. The other is a Crowntail, his name is Neptune and his main color is a deep bluish purple with flashes of teal, same goes for his tail/fins except there is more of the teal color.

Anywho, they are in the same tank but not really. The subject line was just to get your attention. I purchased one of those single 1-1.5 gallon tanks with the splitter down the middle and its not reflective, in other words, they can see each other. They are both very active and healthy but since it's been a while since I've owned a betta, let alone two, I was wondering if that is okay? The fact that they can see each other I mean? They are all on that one shelf at the store and can see each other but I don't want to add any stress to them. They seem to be "puffing" up a lot. I'm not sure if thats the correct way to describe it tho. Maybe it's natural, I'm not sure. My previous bettas were never this active. They were slow and did have their little spurts of speed now and again but they were pretty calm. I've had these new guys in their tank for 45 minutes and they have yet to take a break from thrashing around. I'm rambling now but just one more thing. The tank is from Top Fin and there are several pics on the box that show two male bettas on each side. Anywho, I hope I was clear in my questioning, and thanks a head of time for your answers.

P.S. I was just watching them and instead of just thrashing they are officially trying to attack each other now threw the splitter. Do you think I should buy another tank and separate them?

I just read someone elses post, not related to this topic, and she mentioned that she has two males next to each other who "spar" through the glass at each other. But she says that they are happy and healthy and that it was okay. True? I'm just worried, as a new owner, that they will overdo it and hurt themselves.

Well, I didn't get any replies in time and my Neptune wasn't happy. He was constantly hiding behind his little water plant and I couldn't take it anymore. I bought another 1-1.5 gallon aquarium like the one I purchased before and set it up tonight and decided to move Mars to the new one since he appeared happier and quicker to settle in before. Mars is a very active betta. I don't think I've ever seen him slow down one bit. He's been in his new home for about an hour now and he seems very content. I'm also happy to say that with them in larger quarters and with a hazy divider between the two aquariums (they're back to back) Neptune is a swimming fiend now so no more hiding. And no more sparring thru the glass from Mars since he can't see Neptune anymore. I also bought them both little rock caves with holes to swim thru and Neptune is really enjoying it as well as Mars. Whenever I get the time, I'll post some pics for all to see.

P.S. I changed Galileo to Mars later when I researches some more on the Roman Gods.

It's good that you moved one ^_^ the "puffing" is called flaring, and that's what males do when they see other bettas or reflective surfaces. If they can see each other all the time, some bettas might be ok with it and be able to calm down, but I think many are happier when they can't. I put a mirror near my male's bowl sometimes and he seems to have fun flaring at it, but only for a little bit and then I remove it.

I think you made the right decision in separating them. Each betta has its own temperament and personality and some simply get too stressed out by the constant presence of another male. You can usually tell if they're unhappy, as you say Neptune was. I think some people, if they have two males in a divided tank, will either have dividers that aren't see-through, or the tanks will be heavily planted so they can't constantly see each other.