Dark_Rider2k3

After getting my 55gallon finally set up, I now have my 20gallon with my male betta in it.

My question is if I divide the tank, can I put a female in the other side? I know male can't be with other males due to aggression and the flaring, but what about females?

Thanks a lot everyone!

Barbrella

You could probably do that. Put plants along the divider to cut down on their view of each other. Put plants and other decorations on both sides. This way the female will feel that she can hide if the male's behavior is stressing her.

In a tank that size, you could even put two dividers close together in the middle for more separation. OR you could even put 3 bettas in there. They would each have quite a lot of room!

Even if you put all males, they do get used to each other after awhile and stop flaring all the time.

They should calm down after the novelty wears off.

capekate

I have both, two females in a divided tank, and two males in a divided tank. Both tanks are ten gal. I think that it would depend on the personality of your male Betta, if a female or male would be a wise choice. If your guy is prone to being aggressive or flares a lot or even very active, another male may be a problem. I found that by putting in a very very young male in the divided tank with my much older, mature male, I found that there is no problems. Actually it turned out better IMO again, due to the fact that Glory pretty much just lazed around on his broad leaf plant and was not getting any stimulation. He is a true loner who does not really interacts with me. So in that case, having two males was a good idea. When I brought home the female, it was under the same circumstances, only difference was that Precious, the original female was and still is very active and interacts with me. Having the other female with her was no problem and at times during water changes and tank cleaning I have even had them together.
So my advise would be to get a real young male or a very young female to add to your divided tank. It being a 20g and with plenty of plants.. you should not have any problems with either choice.
Good luck with that.. its always so much fun to bring home a new Betta!

Dark_Rider2k3

Yeah I want another one to go with him lol.

He is pretty active, and I will say whenever he sees himself he flares. It took me a while to get him to "go away" from his one shadow, so I am betting if I put another male in he will flare at him. And lol you should see him when I stick my fingers in the water.. he runs right to them haha.

Where do you all get your bettas at? Aquabid? I was thinking of going to the LFS, but idk how to tell when a betta is young..
well thanks a lot everyone!

Barbrella

It's hard to know how a betta will react. They do all have different personalities. I have one male who I cannot get to flare under any circumstances, and my other flares at everything, including me!

Then I put two females in a divided tank, and the flaring was awful, and one did bite the other through the divider. But they did get accustomed to each other and the "fence fighting" stopped, at least between feeding times.

I got two of my bettas - males - at petstores, and the girls I got at Walmart. I just felt too sorry for them to leave them there.

Dark_Rider2k3

yeah i know exactly what you mean.. when I see the bettas in stores, I just feel bad for them

Lonely Angel

I have a male and female together in a divided tank and thay don't have any problems. The only thing is that I get a lot of bubble nests from my boy! They do swim along the divider together and watch each other, but they've never shown any agression towards each other. I call their situation a "long distance relationship"

COBettaCouple

With a divided tank, the best thing is if you can keep them from seeing each other. Sometimes females will produce eggs in a divided tank with a male, but it's not real common.

shellbell4ever

I have had both situations in my 10 ga divided, both with boys and then with boys and girls,I have never had a problem with flaring... But I did have my girl expel eggs the other day (It was cool to watch)None of my boys have ever built bubble nests in my 10 ga tanks And I have had no flaring at the other side of the divider I guess it really depends on the individual Betta.
I have gotten all my Betta's (10)from lfs with the exception of Bonnie & Clyde they came from a co-worker that didn't want them anymore