[Joshaeus]

Hi everyone! Long time no post on this forum. I really want to keep wild bettas, but it occurred to me via research that only the coccina and bellica complexes can reliably be kept as pairs or groups long term...the others are either too aggressive (splendens complex in particular...speaking from experience here with a VERY incompatible smaragdina pair I had) or are mouthbrooders in which the males will likely starve to death if kept with any females long term. Thus...could a pair of wild bettas be kept in a divided tank, with fish of one gender (or only one fish for the more aggressive complexes) on each side? If so, would a 10 gallon be large enough for such a divided setup, with one fish on each side? Thanks

 

[Mbpoppy]

Hi!
If you don't mind me weighing in five gallons each would work, but based on how very aware my two non-wild boys are of each other through a double-thickness plastic sewing mesh, I'm wondering if the stress levels will be high in your situations.

 

[Joshaeus]

Hi!
If you don't mind me weighing in five gallons each would work, but based on how very aware my two non-wild boys are of each other through a double-thickness plastic sewing mesh, I'm wondering if the stress levels will be high in your situations.

I highly appreciate such 'weighing in' If aggression would be an issue I could easily skip the psychotic splendens complex in such a setup. With mouthbrooders the issue is, not aggression, but the fact that they will breed incessantly if kept in mixed sex groups and the males can easily starve to death from constantly mouthbrooding.

 

[Mbpoppy]

I'm looking forward to your implemented decision 🤩

 

[Joshaeus]

I'm looking forward to your implemented decision 🤩

Thanks! This is still in the planning stages, though, so no guarantee that said 10 gallon will ever house wild bettas. I do have a 5 gallon blackwater I am setting up that will house either licorice gouramies or coccina complex bettas, but again it will be 2-3 months before I feel ready to put fish in it.

 

[Mbpoppy]

licorice gouramies

I was unfamiliar, had to look these guys up - my goodness, aren't they pretty little things, and a bit challenging lol!

 

[Joshaeus]

I was unfamiliar, had to look these guys up - my goodness, aren't they pretty little things, and a bit challenging lol!

There are easier fish for sure, but at least they are quite peaceful and don't need a lot of room. I had poor luck with Parosphromenus nagyi in the past (two died within a week of arrival, likely due to acclimating them too abruptly, and the remaining pair never bred), but my Parosphromenus sp 'sentang' trio (which I drip acclimated) eventually became a small colony in a 5 gallon, with several males holding territories at once. That colony eventually died off for reasons I do not completely understand, perhaps nutritional deficiencies (they were only receiving baby brine shrimp)...I've become a considerably better aquarium keeper since then, though, and I think I can succeed with either licorice gouramies or coccina complex bettas. Currently experimenting with decapsulating, enriching and growing out brine shrimp, have some thriving walter worm cultures (which are also being enriched with spirulina and astaxanthin powders) and will likely try to culture moina next summer.

 

[Mbpoppy]

but at least they are quite peaceful and don't need a lot of room.

 

[RussellTheShihTzu]

As I have no experience with Wilds, take this advice as well-intended rather than based on knowledge.

IME, after a while the males ignore each other except for the occasional flaring reminders. All of mine are in tanks with clear, acrylic dividers. But even in tanks with opaque or thick mesh dividers they can still smell the other male.

I treat my divisions as separate tanks with their own heater and filter.

 

[Joshaeus]

As I have no experience with Wilds, take this advice as well-intended rather than based on knowledge.

IME, after a while the males ignore each other except for the occasional flaring reminders. All of mine are in tanks with clear, acrylic dividers. But even in tanks with opaque or thick mesh dividers they can still smell the other male.

I treat my divisions as separate tanks with their own heater and filter.

I have no beef with multiple pieces of equipment.