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Question about betta sisters

874 views 5 replies 3 participants last post by  Witchipoo 
#1 ·
Hi folks,

Some of you might not remember me because I hadn't logged on to this site in over a year.

Anyway, here's what's happend since I've been gone.

Breeding my bettas, Cole and Myra was unsuccuessful so I put it aside for the time being.

I sadly lost Myra to a relapse of fin-rot in July 2015 and Cole passed away from old age this month.

I did get two new bettas, both are sisters, Tia and Tamara.

Tia and Tamara were both in the same tank when I got them at the fish store. They're 2 months old. Anyway... Tia is smaller than Tamara. Both had bite marks on their fins from their siblings when I got them.

The first couple of days I had them at home they pretty much avoided each other. Their living space is almost 2 gallons and has a plant.

It's been a week since I got them.

Lately, I notice Tamara chases Tia from time to time and they flare at each other. I've never seen them fight, mostly they just look at each other, I have seen them sit next to one another and they get along when I feed them.

Still, I am concerned about the chasing and flaring. Should I separate them or is this typical behavior between betta sisters?

Would greatly appreciate some help with this.
 
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#2 ·
Is their tank only two gallons?

Personally I would separate. A pair of females usually does not work because the more dominant/aggressive female will harass or even outright attack the subordinate female.

Two gallons is also not enough space for the subordinate female to escape the other female's bullying.

There's also often a marked increase in aggressive and territorial behaviour as the females mature. So it's very likely this behaviour will worsen.

Finally, simply because there is no physical violence, doesn't mean that the subordinate female isn't feeling stressed. Having to remain constantly vigilant to avoid confrontation makes for a very stressful environment, and in many cases, stress is a trigger for disease as it weakens the immune system of the fish and leaves them more susceptible to illness.
 
#3 ·
Thanks, I think I will separate them.

And yes, two gallons is what they're in only because I don't have room for anything bigger at this time.


When I changed their water I noticed when they were separated they did seem more relaxed but they could still see each other so it wasn't like they were by themselves.

The tank they were in at the store had around 15 or 20 females, but I noticed some would swim in small groups and others preferred to sit in a corner by themselves.
 
#4 ·
That's definitely the best option. While in some cases, two females can cohabitate long-term without any issues with aggression, this seems to be the exception rather than the rule, and if you are already seeing some bullying/aggressive behaviour occurring, it's only likely to escalate.
 
#5 ·
Thanks.

I just separated them since they were chasing each other again.

Now they're both seem confused as to why they're not together.

But I rather them be in separate living spaces where their next-door neighbors then to come home and find one of them hurt or...worse.

Granted, they're sisters but apparently just because they're related doesn't mean they always get along. Typical siblings!
 
#6 ·
Just like siblings!.
I had 4 sisters in my sorority when I first started it, three of them ganged up on the meekest one and beat her up pretty badly. I took her out, healed her up and she will be going to her new home in a few days. Just because they are sisters doesn't mean they'll get along.
 
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