Female Sorority Tanks

I was thinking of starting a female sorority tank, but was unsure how to go about it, or if it was even a good idea. Because, I've seen mixed reviews on it. Could anyone give me advice on how to go about it. Just wanting the advice of individuals who have been doing this way longer than me.

 

Give them as much floor space as possible and lots of plants and or decor to break up lines of sight so if aggression does start the victI'm has somewhere to hide. I had my sorority in a planted 20 gallon long. 7 females fit comfortably in that

 

Recommended tank size 20+ gallons. Heavily planted. Minimum 5 females. This should give you idea of what I mean by heavily planted.

 

Give them as much floor space as possible and lots of plants and or decor to break up lines of sight so if aggression does start the victI'm has somewhere to hide. I had my sorority in a planted 20 gallon long. 7 females fit comfortably in that

I currently have two females and plan on getting a third what size tank would you recommend

Recommended tank size 20+ gallons. Heavily planted. Minimum 5 females. This should give you idea of what I mean by heavily planted.

Okay I need at least 5 female that's good to know

 

Tank size bigger is always better. Lol. I currently have 14 bettas in a 75 gallon with glowlighr tetras and cories.

 

The more females you have the more aggression will be spread out as long as it doesn't get too crowded. I would not have just 3 because 2 might gang up on the 3rd. Agree that 5 is the minimum. If you only have 5 then you might be able to get away with a 15 gallon long/breeder. They are 24"long by 12" high and wide.

 

I've been saving for bigger tanks for my two and thought about doing a a large tank that's split so it's between that and a sorority tank. I'm mostly worried about my Garnet she's a bit aggressive

 

Couple basic things to bear in mind when looking at a sorority tank.
1. Bigger tank is always better. Some people have done it in as small as a 20 long, I've not done one under a 40 so.... Just try and give them as much space as possible.
2. Plant heavily! You need to be able to break up line of sight and peovide lots of hiding places in case a chase or fight breaks out. They have to be able to have their own spots where they aren't staring at other girls.
3. Gentle flow. Very gentle. Females have shorter fins than males and are better swimmers but they will still seek out that 'chill spot'. If there isn't numerous spots like that in the tank (by nature of being heavily planted and a baffled filter) then they will fight over the 'best spot'.
4. Keep an odd number of bettas, and at least 5. This is to spread aggression and keep them from all ganging up on one fish. I never had less than 7 in my sorority except at the very end where I got down to two old ladies who were around 5 years old and no longer gave a hoot about each other.
5. It is usually recommended you start with youngin's and let them grow up together. But even if you start with adults add them in all at once. If you don't they will have established territories and any new addittion will be the target of the other girls. If you are going to add more after the initial group, add at least two at a time and do so immediately AFTER you have rearranged the tank. This causes all of them to have to go sort out new territories.
6. Did mention decorate and plant heavily? I really do mean it. Floating plants, rooted plants, mosses, bushes, coconut shells, castles, bridges and more. You name it you want the tank to have lots for them to explore and also 'get lost' in so they are more preoccupied with that than fighting. Also they can get away from each other quickly that way. Which is important considering how quickly they can tear each other up.
7. Have back up tanks ready to separate one or several females (each in their own tank or divided space) if things get nasty. A single female may decide she doesn't want to live in a sorority and will terrorize the others to death. Bettas are all individuals just like people. And some just do not tolerate being in a group. I kept a couple divided 10 gallons on hand just in case, and I did end up pulling two females out over the course of my sorority because they just would not play nice. Some can be put in a community tank with no other bettas if you have one available. Some just can't play nice with anyone and must live out their lives in solitary. You won't know until you have them and try, so having backups is a good idea.