[bettay]

Hi! I was thinking about getting my very first betta in the future, but I’m not sure what tank size to go with. I would love to get a female betta (or a sorority- advice on that please) and was wondering if a 5 gallon would do or if I should go with a 10.

I was also wondering if it would be ok to try a sorority as mentioned above or if that wouldn’t be smart as a first time betta owner. Of course if I were to do that I would do plenty of research and do a 10 gallon tank

advice would be appreciated. Thanks! ❤

 

[Eridanus]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Bettas are a great choice! They're such fun little critters with so much personality!

There are many different opinions on the minimum tank size for a Betta, but most agree to it being 5gals.

I have personally never had a sorority, I've honestly never even had a female Betta before.
But I do know, the more in a sorority the better generally. You don't want just two or three fish. More is better incase one of them turns out a bully, since they'll pick on the one fish if it's just two of them. And the more fish there are, the more the picking on is spread out, if there is any.

And there's the chance, that even if you do everything right, things can go downhill and you could lose a kid or two.

I'm not sure if you could keep a sorority in a ten gallon, I personally wouldn't, but you could always divide the tank and have a female on each side!

You can try a sorority if you wish, but even as someone's who had males for several years, I would be nervous since I've never tried one of my boys with a fish tankmate. And since Bettas are naturally aggressive towards each other..
Its really up to you though!!

Other people will come with more information I'm sure, but I hope this is of some help!

 

[bettay]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Bettas are a great choice! They're such fun little critters with so much personality!

There are many different opinions on the minimum tank size for a Betta, but most agree to it being 5gals.

I have personally never had a sorority, I've honestly never even had a female Betta before.
But I do know, the more in a sorority the better generally. You don't want just two or three fish. More is better incase one of them turns out a bully, since they'll pick on the one fish if it's just two of them. And the more fish there are, the more the picking on is spread out, if there is any.

And there's the chance, that even if you do everything right, things can go downhill and you could lose a kid or two.

I'm not sure if you could keep a sorority in a ten gallon, I personally wouldn't, but you could always divide the tank and have a female on each side!

You can try a sorority if you wish, but even as someone's who had males for several years, I would be nervous since I've never tried one of my boys with a fish tankmate. And since Bettas are naturally aggressive towards each other..
Its really up to you though!!

Other people will come with more information I'm sure, but I hope this is of some help!

Thank you! I really appreciate the help! I was thinking of dividing the tank, and if I did would a mesh-like divider work, so the water can still pass through and the bettas can see each other? I've also read that females need 10 gallon aquariums each and then others have had them split in a 10 gallon so I'm pretty confused lol.
I did read from numerous sources that claimed keeping 4 or 5 bettas in a ten gallon was fine, but if splitting the tank for two bettas works better then I would be more than happy to try that

 

[Eridanus]

Thank you! I really appreciate the help! I was thinking of dividing the tank, and if I did would a mesh-like divider work, so the water can still pass through and the bettas can see each other? I've also read that females need 10 gallon aquariums each and then others have had them split in a 10 gallon so I'm pretty confused lol.
I did read from numerous sources that claimed keeping 4 or 5 bettas in a ten gallon was fine, but if splitting the tank for two bettas works better then I would be more than happy to try that

People have tried 4-5 kiddos in a tank before, but the smaller the space the more likely they are to have disagreements. Atleast from what I've heard.

Something like that would work, they make aquarium specific ones!

That's more of an opinion. There are, many, many, different opinions on minimum tank size for Bettas. Some think they can be kept in vases, some think a gallon is good, others no less than 5gals, and some no less than 10gals.
But you can certainly split a 10gal in half and have a female on each side, people do that with males too. Though you never want to do it with a male, and a female, since it'll stress them out.

Whether you want to divide and just have two females, try a sorority, or even just have one, that's up to you. What are you comfortable with doing?

 

[bettay]

People have tried 4-5 kiddos in a tank before, but the smaller the space the more likely they are to have disagreements. Atleast from what I've heard.

Something like that would work, they make aquarium specific ones!

That's more of an opinion. There are, many, many, different opinions on minimum tank size for Bettas. Some think they can be kept in vases, some think a gallon is good, others no less than 5gals, and some no less than 10gals.
But you can certainly split a 10gal in half and have a female on each side, people do that with males too. Though you never want to do it with a male, and a female, since it'll stress them out.

Whether you want to divide and just have two females, try a sorority, or even just have one, that's up to you. What are you comfortable with doing?

I think it would be awesome to have a sorority in the future but for right now I don't think I am experienced enough and I don't have the space to buy a larger tank. I think I'm going to try two females in a divided 10 gal. Thank you so much for your help!! 😊❤

 

[NoodleTheMysteryBetta]

Given that even experienced betta keepers have had sororities crash on them, I would very strongly advise against getting a sorority. I think you should either try dividing the tank (make sure that they can’t jump the divider though) or just keep one betta and gain your footing. I hope that helps! Bettas are amazing animals and you will fall in love with them immediately.

 

[Eridanus]

I think it would be awesome to have a sorority in the future but for right now I don't think I am experienced enough and I don't have the space to buy a larger tank. I think I'm going to try two females in a divided 10 gal. Thank you so much for your help!! 😊❤

Ok, good luck!! Maybe post pics when you get your girls? We'd all love to see them!

 

[bettay]

Given that even experienced betta keepers have had sororities crash on them, I would very strongly advise against getting a sorority. I think you should either try dividing the tank (make sure that they can’t jump the divider though) or just keep one betta and gain your footing. I hope that helps! Bettas are amazing animals and you will fall in love with them immediately.

Ok, thank you!

 

[bettay]

Ok, good luck!! Maybe post pics when you get your girls? We'd all love to see them!

It probably won’t be for a few months but I will try to remember to get some pics 😂 thank you!

 

[neptunethebetta]

Hi, welcome to the forum! I know you have replies already, but i just wanted to reply because why not lol : )

I never had a female betta before, but Iam pretty sure they can be in five gallons! Because you're a new betta keeper (or a future one), I would recommend having experience with bettas in tanks by themselves before keeping a sorority tank. But like Eridanus said, its up to you!!

Ok, only now I saw that you might be dividing the 10 gallon tank. I recommend that more than having a sorority tank, because it might be easier for new betta owners!

Anyways, good luck on the bettas and try to update us once you get them

 

[mollyyymo]

I would start with a single betta in a 5 gallon (filtered, heated). This will kind of give you a preview of how much time and effort is required to maintain a tank before you try it with more fish.

Also, keep in mind that even if you have a divided tank, you should have a critter keeper or some other small tank as well as a "hospital." If one fish gets sick you'll need a way to stop the illness from spreading to the fish on the other side of the divider.

I keep some of my fish in 3 gallon tanks, but anything smaller than 5 is a big commitment because you have to change the water frequently. Basically, the smaller the tank, the more maintenance is required.

I would not recommend a sorority. I once had a small sorority in a 20g and everything was fine until one of my fish died. Once that happened, their little hierarchy was thrown off and they started attacking each other and needed to be separated. Sometimes there isn't a triggering event like that and they just turn on each other one day.

 

[bettay]

Hi, welcome to the forum! I know you have replies already, but i just wanted to reply because why not lol : )

I never had a female betta before, but Iam pretty sure they can be in five gallons! Because you're a new betta keeper (or a future one), I would recommend having experience with bettas in tanks by themselves before keeping a sorority tank. But like Eridanus said, its up to you!!

Ok, only now I saw that you might be dividing the 10 gallon tank. I recommend that more than having a sorority tank, because it might be easier for new betta owners!

Anyways, good luck on the bettas and try to update us once you get them

I would start with a single betta in a 5 gallon (filtered, heated). This will kind of give you a preview of how much time and effort is required to maintain a tank before you try it with more fish.

Also, keep in mind that even if you have a divided tank, you should have a critter keeper or some other small tank as well as a "hospital." If one fish gets sick you'll need a way to stop the illness from spreading to the fish on the other side of the divider.

I keep some of my fish in 3 gallon tanks, but anything smaller than 5 is a big commitment because you have to change the water frequently. Basically, the smaller the tank, the more maintenance is required.

I would not recommend a sorority. I once had a small sorority in a 20g and everything was fine until one of my fish died. Once that happened, their little hierarchy was thrown off and they started attacking each other and needed to be separated. Sometimes there isn't a triggering event like that and they just turn on each other one day.

thank you both! I really appreciate all the help ❤

 

[FishandBirdLover]

I would never really recommend having a female betta in anything under 5 gallons. They have really short fins and they are very fast. Some of them also like jumping, so keep on a tight lid. Betta sororities take a lot of work and research. It is always recommended to have sororities with female bettas that grew up with each other. I recommend just stick with your first female betta, getting to know her. I have always loved my female bettas. 😊Good luck and don't forget to post pics! 💕

 

[bettay]

I would never really recommend having a female betta in anything under 5 gallons. They have really short fins and they are very fast. Some of them also like jumping, so keep on a tight lid. Betta sororities take a lot of work and research. It is always recommended to have sororities with female bettas that grew up with each other. I recommend just stick with your first female betta, getting to know her. I have always loved my female bettas. 😊Good luck and don't forget to post pics! 💕

ok thanks! do you think it would work if I went for a 10 gal. divided tank for two females?

 

[betta4ever!]

ok thanks! do you think it would work if I went for a 10 gal. divided tank for two females?

I'm pretty sure it will be fine! Don't forget to post pics!

 

[FishandBirdLover]

ok thanks! do you think it would work if I went for a 10 gal. divided tank for two females?

That would be great! I have kept a 10 divided with 2 males before.

 

[Vivi84]

Hi! I was thinking about getting my very first betta in the future, but I’m not sure what tank size to go with. I would love to get a female betta (or a sorority- advice on that please) and was wondering if a 5 gallon would do or if I should go with a 10.

I was also wondering if it would be ok to try a sorority as mentioned above or if that wouldn’t be smart as a first time betta owner. Of course if I were to do that I would do plenty of research and do a 10 gallon tank

advice would be appreciated. Thanks! ❤

If your thinking of getting female bettas and a sorority tank your tank has to be more than a 5 gallon or 10 gallon tank it should be about 70 gallon or 60 because although females are docile their still territorial And you have to get less aggressive female bettas

 

[robmcsched]

Hi! I was thinking about getting my very first betta in the future, but I’m not sure what tank size to go with. I would love to get a female betta (or a sorority- advice on that please) and was wondering if a 5 gallon would do or if I should go with a 10.

I was also wondering if it would be ok to try a sorority as mentioned above or if that wouldn’t be smart as a first time betta owner. Of course if I were to do that I would do plenty of research and do a 10 gallon tank

advice would be appreciated. Thanks! ❤

So glad to see you doing your research and asking for advice before setting up—smart! Here’s my two cents. Have been keeping aquariums since mid-1980’s. Bigger is better. Small tanks are a maintenance nightmare and unhealthy for fish. My opinion is no less than five-gallon—more is better. Love that you are leaning towards a 10. I agree with others here, a sorority is a bad idea for a newby and even though you will find supposed “experts” on websites telling you that you can do that with a smaller tank, I suspect they are involved in selling tanks and fish and just telling folks what they wanna hear so they can sell more stuff. Would recommend a 20-gal or more for that. I moved several years ago and re-homed all my fish/tanks and resigned myself to giving it up due to a lack of wall space. After a few years I missed it so much I applied my creative brain power and made space on one wall, with a Fluval Flex 15. The footprint is small, but the tank is one of the best I have owned. Once a good biological filter is happening, very low maintenance. All the filters, pumps, heater are hidden behind the black background and there is room for heater and an open compartment for anything extra. I keep additional black sponge bio-media, along with filter floss to polish the water. Loved it so much I found room for another tank, Fluval Flex 9. The 15 gal houses one female betta, a small school of pristilla (x-ray) tetras, a nerite snail and 9 amano shrimp. They have all been doing exceedingly well. The 9-gallon houses a single male betta and one nerite snail. I plan on adding amano shrimp in another month or so when the tank is more established. I can’t say enough good things about the fluval flex’s. Well-enginnered and low maintenance. Also, quiet. I did have to replace a light under warranty, but Fluval was great. The lights are very dimmable and you can experiment with color and brightness to find the best settings for your betta and plants. You can tell by the level of chill in the tank or fish darting around constantly—lights make all the difference. The light fixture is wired separately (something to be aware of when deciding on a tank setup). I have mine set for a few hours am, then on again for a few hours in the evening. Too much light can cause algae and the fish need a rest from the light. Bettas prefer low light, and I have found different colors to be calming to my fish and others to be aggravating. The only thing i don’t like about the tank lights is that fluval decided to include a “thunderstorm“ mode for fluff. That thunderstorm setting (which i would NEVER use) would be pure torture for any fish and I am bit disappointed Fluval decided to include that, as inexperienced fish keepers may not know better. Fish, like people react to light colors and brightness. Bright lights bad. Flashing light worse. Both tanks have lots of plants with good substrate (be sure to get one that does not affect ph), which is also vital to establishing a healthy environment. You will love your bettas…a rewarding and potentially addictive hobby. If I had the space, I would have more and larger tanks, as I have had in the past—kinda like the proverbial crazy lady with too many cats—current available space and my husband are keeping me from getting too crazy with it. I am finding the 15-gallon and 9-gallon are beautiful and satisfying. For me, fish keeping is relaxing in the same way gardening can be. Good luck to you and keep us posted.