lucysbettas

My six year old daughter just got 4 bettas- 2 males and 2 females. *We divided my 20 gallon tank so the males would be separated. *At first one female went into each side of the tank. *The next morning we noticed that one of the females fins are being eaten by her male friend. *We removed her from tank and put her by herself, but she wouldn't swim or eat or anything. *We put her in with the other male and female and everything seemed fine. *She hid underneath everything, but would not eat. *A day ago I noticed some gravel was moved from where I had last seen her and saw her trying to tunnel back over to where the original male is kept. *We decided to put her back in there since I didn't want her to kill herself by getting stuck under the divider. *Today I noticed she now has no fins left except her gills. *I took her out and put back with the other two. *
Can you explain why the other fish is eating my female bettas' fins? *Is this a mating ritual or is my female a male?

Gunnie

Normally male and female bettas cannot be kept together unless it is a large tank with many hiding places.* Breeders only put the females with the males to spawn and then they are taken back out in case the male tries to kill her.* I can't say this is always the way it happens, because there are always exceptions to fish and what they will do.* It does sound though like your one male is showing this behavior, and if he doesn't kill her physically, he will probably stress her out until she dies from the stress.* If you can keep that hurt female by herself, she should heal quite nicely.* Keep your eyes on the other couple as well.* *


P.S. Welcome to FishLore! It's great to have you with us!