[JennybugJennifer]

Is it cruel to put two Betta tanks together where they can see each other? It keeps them busy and not bored and they have never started tail biting

 

[MyRainbowBettaFish]

they can get stressed, and it is never the best idea to put two betta tanks together, only if its for a couple of minutes a day i guess it would be ok....but not for their lifespan.

 

[Fluval]

It stresses them out. In addition to a water change, it can cause LOTS of stress.

 

[MyRainbowBettaFish]

It stresses them out. In addition to a water change, it can cause LOTS of stress.

totally agree

 

[JennybugJennifer]

Okay I'll put a rag between them so they can't see each other
Thank you!!!

 

[JennybugJennifer]

Whoops double post

 

[Luimeril]

:I i gotta disagree. all of my bettas have lived in plain sight of each other. right now, i have Ichi, Sniper, Lulu, and Spy, side by side. Ichi can see Sniper. Sniper can see Ichi and Lulu, who can see Sniper and Spy, who can see Lulu. between those four, none are stressed at all. as long as you give them plenty of plants to hide in, to get away from each other for a while, they're fine.

shoot, Sniper and Ichi see each other all the time, only hiding once in a while, and they don't even flare anymore. before they passed, Medic and Josie found comfort, almost, in each other. Medic stopped her glass surfing after i put Josie beside her, and started watching Josie...

and before he died, Theo and Ichi lived side by side, in constant view of each other, and i never had issues. because of Theo's blindness, he showed no aggression to Ichi, and Ichi would sit and watch Theo do his thing. never had any issues with Ichi tail biting before Theo died, in fact. it wasn't until i removed Theo's tank after he passed away, that Ichi ever started tail biting. and since putting him in sight of Sniper, he hasn't nipped since.

 

[Olympia]

My two boys are in the same tank, divided off with a clear divider (with some algae on it).
They faught a lot at first, but I think after they established a hierarchy they were fine.. I usually see them hanging out near each other, with almost no flaring. They do build nice bubble nests now though.
I can honestly say I've seen nothing but improvement in my two boys after putting them side by side.
Betta are a social fish- in the wild it's common for males to display and "fight" with each other. Our pet betta benefit from this as well. We must introduce an artificial territory - divider or two separate tanks, yes. But this is because they are now an artificial, man made species, different from their wild relatives in some ways.
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[LionCalie]

Lots of people have divided tanks, which isn't a whole lot different than having two tanks together. Unless one your boys is the type of Betta that becomes obsessed and is flaring all day long (or takes up tail biting), I really don't see how it would have a negative impact. Like Luimeril mentioned, just have plenty of plants to break up the line of sight and so they feel like they can get away.

 

[JennybugJennifer]

They flare a lot but neither ever show stress lines or anything

 

[thekoimaiden]

If they are divided and can't access each other at all, I see nothing wrong with keeping two betta in the same tank. I keep all of my betta in divided tanks as well as give them mirrors to flare at their reflections daily. Flaring is very healthy for a betta. It's exercise, and provided they don't flare excessively, it won't cause any problems. But I would recommend adding some decorations around the divider to give them some rest from each other.

 

[JennybugJennifer]

This is the set up of tanks I have

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[Luimeril]

yeah. nothing wrong with that setup at all. :V you should see mine.
the picture is big, so i'll just link it. this is part of my dresser, where i have my four tanks. :B

http://i48.tinypic.com/2nle8sp.jpg

that's Ichi, Sniper, and you can see Lulu's tank. yeah, Ichi and Sniper are right up against each other. :V so i see no issue with your setup. :B

 

[thekoimaiden]

That looks like a pretty good setup. If you notice one starts fin-biting or showing stress stripes then you can put a piece of paper in between the tanks and only remove it for controlled flaring sessions.

 

[Luimeril]

it looks great. :B only thing i'd change, is add a plant on the one's opposite side, so the boy can hide out whenever he wants. :3

 

[JennybugJennifer]

it looks great. :B only thing i'd change, is add a plant on the one's opposite side, so the boy can hide out whenever he wants. :3

In jaws tank? (The bigger one)

Thanks everyone!!!! I appreciate the help

 

[Tikibirds]

It depends on the individual bettas. Some will stress out and may become tail bitters, others won't care and some will be freaked out for a few days and then calm down.

 

[Luimeril]

in the smaller one. :B the way i have mine set up, they have more plants on the side not near another betta, so they can go hide if they want. but, that's just in my tanks. :B

 

[JennybugJennifer]

in the smaller one. :B the way i have mine set up, they have more plants on the side not near another betta, so they can go hide if they want. but, that's just in my tanks. :B

He has one that's stretched across the back with the roots stuck behind the heater but I could def get some more

 

[Kim]

I think it truly depends on the betta. I've always had some males and some females and found that having females and males within sight generally works better than 2 males, although either can work or cause problems if you have a very aggressive individual. Mine all seemed to truly enjoy the stimulation, provided I made sure it was a compatible combination.