5 gal betta sorority

[Shirleythebetta]

Originally Posted by LittleBettaFish

I used to have 11 in a ten gallon but I took out two of the mature females as they were niggly towards each other and now I have 9. I have no problems with aggression or water quality but I didn't expect to as I have had plenty of experience. I also had 15 in a 20 gallon tank and also had no issues with that either.

For someone starting a sorority, I would definitely avoid overstocking. Water quality is so important in the first few weeks of set-up, it's better to avoid putting too much strain on your cycle. I would go with 6-7 females and only add more once the tank has had some time to mature.

This is what my tank looked like a week or so ago after a big trimming. I don't really think it's that crowded at all.

Pretty girls.

[Shirleythebetta]

Originally Posted by dramaqueen

Make sure you have tanks to house them individually if things get ugly it it doesn't work out.

I do, I have a couple reserve tanks. One a bit big for rehousing but in a pinch.....
29 gallon
10 gallon
1 gallon.... all spares. How I wish I had the room to set them all up

[Silverfang]

Originally Posted by dramaqueen

Make sure you have tanks to house them individually if things get ugly it it doesn't work out.

DQ makes a very good point, I have one girl, I knew she would be aggressive, but in less than 2 minutes she had bitten 3 other girls. Not just fin nipping, she went for the body. She is housed by herself until I'm ready to try again and hope.

[Pitluvs]

And who would that be Silver? hehe

[Silverfang]

You are a terrible influence on your niece

[zacheyp]

what are my odds of having to take out a fish?

[Shirleythebetta]

for me and my experience... pretty good if you are talking about removing a naughty girl. I had to cup an agressive girl once and put her back in. For some reason that changed her tude but someone on here will probly be able to tell you about that a little more. I will say this. with a sorority expect flaring and chasing it will more than likely happen til they figure out who the boss is going to be. You have to remove them if they get way agressive.

[zacheyp]

if i decide to get a 20 instead how many betta's could i get?

[Bombalurina]

Up to 10, but if you want to make it a sorority community, I would not get more than 8. In fact, I'd stay at 6 so you can have with other groups of fish. :)

Personally, I've never had to remove a naughty girl, but I gather my sorority is a bit unusual in that regard (I've never had any aggression at all, past some girls flaring when it got too hot).