Male Betta community tank switch

[CWO4GUNNER]

My 120 tank with 5 BPs 6 Neons, 3 Cory's 3 Molly's, 4 angles, 1 Placo and one male betta has turned out to be a much more slow pace and gentle environment then my fast pace 60 community tank with its predominant population of Barbs (10) that do a good job keeping the peace. Anyway I noticed one of my large angel fins were a tiny bit bitten up and after some night time investigation discovered it was the new resident Betta I rescued from my LFS. Without provocation he would just attack so after having him in a breeder net all night I switched him out with my 60 tank Betta who is well established in manners having lived in a community tank with Tiger Barbs and understands that while aggressive posturing may be allowed, outright aggression is not tolerated. There was a time my 60 tank Betta was the same the new one but learned to be a respectful member of the community tank courtesy of Barb community rules. My 60 tank Betta is now very accepted member of the community tank and so now has earned a move up to a new 120 community where life is much more docile, spacious and quiet. Wile the new Barb is now learning to live in the fast pace 60 tank where respect and reputation is everything. I wont let things get out of hand though as Im keeping an eye on the situation but am hopeful this change will allow me to keep the aggressive Betta.

[uprightandlocked]

Do you have a backup plan if the new betta doesn't acclimate well to a community tank? I'm always curious at how others establish community tanks with bettas - it always seemed impossible to me! And because my resources are limited, I would never be able to try it!

[Phinny12]

I completely agree with upright!

[Lucy]

Putting a betta in a community tank is going against the natural instincts of most bettas, which are primarily solitary fish.
Sad that your betta has to abide by tiger barbs rules and ot be allowed to be himself.

[CWO4GUNNER]

Well we are all in the learning process and from that stand point hardly anything is impossible. What I have learned is that in a community tank Betta needs at least 2 bunches of plants (mine fake) to hide in and use as rest and sleep areas, a small low lizard cave also comes in very handy. Also initially they probubly should not be in a community with docile slow moving fish, at least that is what I'm beginning to learn. They are sort of like a dog in that if he is unchallenged he becomes the resident alpha tormentor. However if in a tank with schooling fish that have a hierarchy of behavior and willing to challenge an aggressor, the Betta has no choice but to act appropriately and in the process of learning has good places to hide. It funny how Barbs in a well established school (mine 10) will get along great with everybody bigger then mouth size lol. But Barbs quickly interpret aggression as a challenge against the collective and will counter until the Betta retreads to its hiding place. Once the Betta starts to behave the countering stops and the Betta seems to learn from conditioning how to behave. So we will see if my experienced Betta will stay a gentlemen in his new docile neighborhood and how long the new Betta will take to learn respect, and he will lean I can assure you. But with good plants and cave as mentioned he has the safety and time to learn without getting hurt as Barbs are quick to forget an individual who gives in and they are not nearly as hard on community fish as they are there own species.

[CWO4GUNNER]

From your perspective perhaps but I think Betta's and Barbs were created with these instincts to help them adapt to new tolerant environments and I cant help but notice my Betta obviously looks and acts so much more lively and distracted by his environment and proud in a community of other fish then staring at 4 glass walls.

Originally Posted by Lucy

Putting a betta in a community tank is going against the natural instincts of most bettas, which are primarily solitary fish.
Sad that your betta has to abide by tiger barbs rules and ot be allowed to be himself.

[Lucy]

Originally Posted by CWO4GUNNER

From your perspective perhaps but I think Betta's and Barbs were created with these instincts to help them adapt to new tolerant environments and I cant hep notice my Betta looks and acts so much more lively in and proud in a community then staring at 4 walls, now that is sad.

I agree, if a betta is staring at 4 walls, that is sad but with a nice size tank, plants, caves and bubbles to play in, in addition to interaction with it's owner, the betta is far from bored.

[CWO4GUNNER]

Somebody hand me my scuba tank I'm going to interact with the fishes.

Actually there is nothing like it and I seriously recommend anyone who loves aquariums get certified and swim in the kelp forest just once and you feel like your in an aquarium, not to mention the fishing is great down there.

Don't worry, Ill make sure as always that my pets are well taken care of and living life to the fullest. Try to see the good more then then assuming the worst.

[Shawnie]

Originally Posted by CWO4GUNNER

Once the Betta starts to behave the countering stops and the Betta seems to learn from conditioning how to behave. So we will see if my experienced Betta will stay a gentlemen in his new docile neighborhood and how long the new Betta will take to learn respect, and he will lean I can assure you.

does it ever end? (before death I hope) how can you even consider this to be true? how does a betta learn to respect ? you just bumfungle me on your reasoning and ration as to the things you do ....that poor betta and tiger barbs are sure disaster ..i feel compasion...for the betta! sometimes I wonder if you do the things you do just to get a reaction out of us...

[Amanda]

I have female bettas in my community tanks....but they're with very slow moving & docile fish. Plus they're not much of a target b/c they don't have the long flowing fins. I agree, SOME bettas do adapt well to a community setting, my girls sure have. But I would never "teach" my betta respect by putting her in a tank full of barbs. That doesn't seem fair - they're only acting on what comes natural to them.

[uprightandlocked]

My betta lives alone in a 10g aquarium and I would say he is far from bored and never staring at four walls. He is too busy zipping in and out between plant leaves, in and out of caves and logs and challenging the filter current to a fight to be bored...

[Shawnie]

I was asked to be a mod because of who I am...that isnt going to change whether im one or not...before I became a mod, id have said the same thing to you..and have before....Im not creating any situation you did when you put that poor betta in with tiger barbs and then expect it to learn respect....and im just replying to your situation with your betta, not who you are in person...