Debating A Betta Harem In A Community Tank

I'll probably get a lot of hate for this but I'm really debating starting up a Betta harem in my 36g bow front community tank. There is currently a male plakat in there so I was considering adding about 7 females. The tank is decently planted so each Betta should be able to have their own space. Other current tank mates are Amano shrimps, Cory cats(6), 3 guppies, Harlequin Rasboras(9), and zebra danios(7), a single ember tetra (lone survivor) and a single emerald rasboras (another lone survivor)

 

Zebra danio can be nippy, how are yours?

and I have been warned against guppies because Betta can mistake them for other Betta. The male can't be in with females

Do you have a tank for incompatible fish? An exit plan is important when starting a harem

Rasboras and cories, are good tank mates, so are the shrimp

 

What type of cory?

Have you researched betta breeding? What will you do if the male tries to breed with the females?

What if the females don't get along with the other fish?

Zebra danios need cooler water than bettas.

The single survivors could get nippy being the only one of their kind so watch out for that.

Too much risk IMO and not worth risking the lives of your fish. I think your lucky your current setup is working out so far, don't rock the boat adding 7 females.

 

Zebra danio can be nippy, how are yours?

and I have been warned against guppies because Betta can mistake them for other Betta. The male can't be in with females

Do you have a tank for incompatible fish? An exit plan is important when starting a harem

Rasboras and cories, are good tank mates, so are the shrimp

My Betta seems fine with the current guppies and leaves them alone. I do have a Fluval Spec V as a secondary tank to move the male Betta if necessary. My zebra danios play nip (never actually taken and chunks of fins) with each other but leave the Betta alone.

 

I have a mix of corys- 4 albino, 2 green/gold, and a peppered one

 

I have a mix of corys- 4 albino, 2 green/gold, and a peppered one

The peppered cory also needs cooler water than bettas and needs to be with 5+ other peppered cories

 

I would first resolve your corydoras issues before trying a harem.

 

Bettas get very aggressive when breeding, in my opinion this would turn into an unmitigated disaster.

 

A sorority in that situation is a good idea. I'd go bigger if you want a male with them though. I know that males and females can potentially get along in 55 gallons and bigger, but a 36g might really be pushing it.

Of course it depends greatly on the individual fish you get. But females can be just as aggressive as males, and if they see him as a threat, they'll gang up on him and attack him.

I'd be more worried about that than him attacking them (although you'd need to remove him from the tank completely for about a week before introducing the sorority, or he'll see them as intruders on his territory, and he'll be hyper aggressive.

 

A sorority in that situation is a good idea. I'd go bigger if you want a male with them though. I know that males and females can potentially get along in 55 gallons and bigger, but a 36g might really be pushing it.

Of course it depends greatly on the individual fish you get. But females can be just as aggressive as males, and if they see him as a threat, they'll gang up on him and attack him.

I'd be more worried about that than him attacking them (although you'd need to remove him from the tank completely for about a week before introducing the sorority, or he'll see them as intruders on his territory, and he'll be hyper aggressive.

Thank you for your advice. I totally overlooked removing my male for a period of time

 

Thank you for your advice. I totally overlooked removing my male for a period of time

You're welcome

If you want to try it, I say go for it. But get females as young as possible, preferably sisters who have just been separated from their brothers. They'll be more accepting of a male in a smaller space.

Seriously though, a male in with them at that size is risky. Possible, but risky. Have backup tanks ready and do this during a period where you've got a lot of time to watch them.

And resolve your other fish issues before considering it. Introducing 5-7 aggressive
fish will make things more stressful for the current inhabitants. Overstocking is an issue, too. Sororities aren't easy, and you can't cut corners or you'll have dead fish.

Do your research, figure out how to get the highest chance of success, and take things slow. If after the research, you objectively think it's possible, try it but have backup tanks and be prepared for possible failure.

 

I would personally not do a sorority with other types of fish.