Currently I have one male Betta (whom I have had about a month now), and am getting ready to set up and cycle a new 10 gallon tank for him (he is currently in a 2.5 gal). I have all the required stuff - but am considering some friends for him to hang out with...
I spoke with a lady at the pet store today (I know everyone says don't listen to them, but she did seem very experienced as far as fish - has 5 tanks and quite a few Bettas). She said one of her tanks has a male and 5 females in it, and they do great, she has another male in his own tank because he is not nice . She said if I decided to do that (after the male had possession of the tank - to completely rearrange everything, add all the females together (at the same time) first, then add the male.
Either way - my question is, is it very rare for a male to get along with a group of females? I would like to try it, since I am now in love with Bettas, and obviously observe them closely (I don't work, so I am 90% of the time).
I also have read guppies are good tank mates - is there a good amount (are they schooling fish)? I have also noticed people say not to get fish with large fins, and I see a lot of guppies with slightly large fins - is this ok?
She also suggested the aquarium salt (as I have read in many places), and said she cuts off the foot of a pair of hose, puts the salt in and when it is gone - you know they need more, is that acceptable? I assume you would only put in the amount per gallon in the hose, but wasn't sure if it should be diluted in the water completely, or if a timed release type thing (the hose) is ok?
One more - my Dad (who has a large freshwater tank, but no Bettas) said to cycle my tank for two weeks first before I added fish - is this also the case for Bettas?
There is so much conflicting information out there, and I know a few people here have multiple Bettas - so hopefully I can get some definite answers .
Thanks in advance, and sorry for the wall of text!
I spoke with a lady at the pet store today (I know everyone says don't listen to them, but she did seem very experienced as far as fish - has 5 tanks and quite a few Bettas). She said one of her tanks has a male and 5 females in it, and they do great, she has another male in his own tank because he is not nice . She said if I decided to do that (after the male had possession of the tank - to completely rearrange everything, add all the females together (at the same time) first, then add the male.
Either way - my question is, is it very rare for a male to get along with a group of females? I would like to try it, since I am now in love with Bettas, and obviously observe them closely (I don't work, so I am 90% of the time).
I also have read guppies are good tank mates - is there a good amount (are they schooling fish)? I have also noticed people say not to get fish with large fins, and I see a lot of guppies with slightly large fins - is this ok?
She also suggested the aquarium salt (as I have read in many places), and said she cuts off the foot of a pair of hose, puts the salt in and when it is gone - you know they need more, is that acceptable? I assume you would only put in the amount per gallon in the hose, but wasn't sure if it should be diluted in the water completely, or if a timed release type thing (the hose) is ok?
One more - my Dad (who has a large freshwater tank, but no Bettas) said to cycle my tank for two weeks first before I added fish - is this also the case for Bettas?
There is so much conflicting information out there, and I know a few people here have multiple Bettas - so hopefully I can get some definite answers .
Thanks in advance, and sorry for the wall of text!