Alien Betta Housing Opinions?

Hoping to get some insight and opinions from others who have owned Alien bettas, specifically alien Betta pairs.

My LFS finally got a single alien Betta pair in and after weeks of watching them wait at the store (due to their ridiculous price), I was able to strike a deal too good to be true and got them. They were housed together at the store, and for a few days, housed together in their temporary holding tank prior to me getting paranoid and placing a glass separator (they can still see one another, but not have access to each other). The female hangs out mostly by the glass divider, I'm unsure if she misses the male? And he has made the largest bubble nest on his side, showing off for her when he sees her, but both still do their own thing as well. I am currently waiting for the final days of their tank (at the time planned together tank) being ready, but have the ability to insert a divider if needed.

I guess my question is, how much success do people have housing their alien pairs together? I've read conflicting information, from do it with 2 females, to don't to it, to 1 female is good. It seems like it can be like a sorority... It works until it doesn't? I want my pair to be happy and would be fine if they did spawn (aliens are non-existent where I'm from so people really like them), but know information available for these guys can be few. Any insight on how people house their pairs (or don't) is appreciated! TIA!

 

As far as I am aware, alien bettas are a hybridization of spledens and some unknown wild cousin (mahachaiensis/smaragdina), no? I've heard rumours that alien bettas are fairly even tempered compared with pure splendens, even so I don't know that I would chance it unless I was actively attempting to breed them. Although, I thought I'd heard males were born infertile? I'd love more info in that department.
You could try playing it by ear. Give them opportunities to share a space with one another until you notice aggression and then separate them?

 

Sorry for the delay in reply, was away for a bit! But thank you for your opinions!

I've had them seperate since posting this, but I still feel like they are almost less happy this way? She only seems to color up around him or feeding. I think at this point in time, I'll set up with the ability to slide in a divider when/if needed.

 

Sorry for the delay in reply, was away for a bit! But thank you for your opinions!

I've had them seperate since posting this, but I still feel like they are almost less happy this way? She only seems to color up around him or feeding. I think at this point in time, I'll set up with the ability to slide in a divider when/if needed.

Best of luck to you, I hope all works in your favour

 

Hi,

I've read that the alien males are aggressive, but can be kept with females if it's a big enough tank, for what it's worth....

For alternate or wild species info, I usually check bw aquatics web site. You can e-mail them a question. They breed and sell, and promote others to breed wild type bettas, so they are a good source of info.

Hope this helps!