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Hi! So until today I was totally unaware of the species Betta Imbellis, but I now believe that I have two of them, a male and female, that I bought out of a sorority tank (!) from my LFS.
First I was hoping someone with more experience could confirm that for me. This is Itty Bitty:
![1033160]()
She is very small, and her stripes come and go by the minute.
And this is Jan, (though it’s looking like I might need to change her name to Peter)
![1033161]()
I have not seen an egg spot on either of them.
They live in a 10 gallon tank with Big Mama, a betta fish I rescued who I’m certain is female, as she has a curvier body, short fins, and visible egg spot. I believe she is pretty old compared to the others.
While Jan/Peter is bigger than Itty Bitty, Big Mama is significantly bigger than both of them and has always been dominant. I’m concerned because I’ve recently noticed a lot more aggression among them—mostly between Big Mama and Jan, although they both pick on Itty Bitty somewhat too, and she just swims away and doesn’t flare or fight back.
I’m thinking of removing Big Mama to her own tank, but if I am correct that the other two are a male and female Betta Imbellis, can they live together safely? I was thinking the aggression might tone down with Big Mama gone. If so, what about having other female Betta Splendens in there with them? I have two already that are closer in size to Jan and Itty Bitty. They actually came from the same afore-mentioned sorority tank at the LFS and I originally had all five fish together in a 15 gallon tank, but removed the two lady splendens (their names are Ambrosia and Lefty) after Lefty sustained an eye injury that for some reason I thought Ambrosia had caused. I mean I’ll give everybody their own tanks if needed, but I already have eight aquariums as it is, plus I think Lefty seems lonely; maybe I’m crazy.
Sorry for the long post, I’d really appreciate any advice anyone could offer! Thanks!
![Vertebrate Organism Fin Underwater Water]()
![Vertebrate Water Organism Fin Fish supply]()
First I was hoping someone with more experience could confirm that for me. This is Itty Bitty:
She is very small, and her stripes come and go by the minute.
And this is Jan, (though it’s looking like I might need to change her name to Peter)
I have not seen an egg spot on either of them.
They live in a 10 gallon tank with Big Mama, a betta fish I rescued who I’m certain is female, as she has a curvier body, short fins, and visible egg spot. I believe she is pretty old compared to the others.
While Jan/Peter is bigger than Itty Bitty, Big Mama is significantly bigger than both of them and has always been dominant. I’m concerned because I’ve recently noticed a lot more aggression among them—mostly between Big Mama and Jan, although they both pick on Itty Bitty somewhat too, and she just swims away and doesn’t flare or fight back.
I’m thinking of removing Big Mama to her own tank, but if I am correct that the other two are a male and female Betta Imbellis, can they live together safely? I was thinking the aggression might tone down with Big Mama gone. If so, what about having other female Betta Splendens in there with them? I have two already that are closer in size to Jan and Itty Bitty. They actually came from the same afore-mentioned sorority tank at the LFS and I originally had all five fish together in a 15 gallon tank, but removed the two lady splendens (their names are Ambrosia and Lefty) after Lefty sustained an eye injury that for some reason I thought Ambrosia had caused. I mean I’ll give everybody their own tanks if needed, but I already have eight aquariums as it is, plus I think Lefty seems lonely; maybe I’m crazy.
Sorry for the long post, I’d really appreciate any advice anyone could offer! Thanks!
