"Diluting" the Sorority?

[Xaltd1]

Sorry I've been posting so much-
my 29 gallon sorority tank is set up; no bettas yet. The problem is, I only have 3 females to add, and I can't find more... the stores/suppliers didn't ship this week.

Q: can I "dilute" my girls with platys? "They" say I need 6-7 female bettas for a successful tank. I can't find the betta girls I want- should I add some platys to prevent bullying?
(I am saying platys b/c they seem to need the same temp as bettas; 78+, right? Fancy guppies would be attacked by the betta girls, plus they prefer cooler water; am I correct?)

[aemaki09]

I would just wait till you get new girls to add these three you already have. If you add these three now and more later its going to be a pain in the butt, you'll have to rearrange everything.

[AyalaCookiejar]

That or order some girls from a breeder (if you are able to order online). Some will sell you as many girls as you need at a very decent price (practically nothing minus shipping costs) and you will then have some nicer looking, healthier girls who are probably already being kept in sororities :)

[LittleBettaFish]

Bettas tend to seek out and target each other so compensating for less females by adding other fish as a distraction may not work.

They may be fine, but I always like to err on the side of caution when dealing with splendens so I say wait until you have enough females and then introduce them into the tank.

[fishy314]

Don't worry, that's what this forum is for :)

I would not reccomend platies as a "substitute". The 3 girls won't be fooled and two may "gang up" on the weaker betta. The platies may also be caught in the middle of this.

Hope this helps.

[Xaltd1]

Thanks!
I was going to order a sorority online; the timing isn't good b/c I'll have to wait until Sunday to place an order. I have to work during the week & I wanted this weekend to "babysit" the girls. I guess patience will save lives. The other problem is that I'd like to "meet" the pricey on-line fish b/f buying her. I am expecting an adoptee from a subscriber in the mail tomorrow!

[SolomonFinch]

Cool! yes I would definitly wait. These ladies are fiesty!