Keeping Multiple Male Bettas Myth

So, I think that whole thing about not housing Betta fish together is a myth. I have 2 males and 6 females in a community tank with other fish and they all do just fine.

 

So, I think that whole thing about not housing Betta fish together is a myth. I have 2 males and 6 females in a community tank with other fish and they all do just fine.

How many gallons?

 

How many gallons?

Right now I have them in a 10 gallon, because I’m doing some work on my 60 gallon. I will say that not all male Betta are easy going, so I’ve found it to be most successful when you find a place that’s had male Betta housed next to each other for a week or two in separate containers but where they can see one another.

 

Right now I have them in a 10 gallon, because I’m doing some work on my 60 gallon. I will say that not all male Betta are easy going, so I’ve found it to be most successful when you find a place that’s had male Betta housed next to each other for a week or two in separate containers but where they can see one another.

Males shouldn't be kept together at all especially in a 10 gallon. A 10 gal is even too small for a female sorrority

 

This is my favorite male.

Males shouldn't be kept together at all especially in a 10 gallon. A 10 gal is even too small for a female sorrority

Well, mine are doing fine. So I disagree. And like I said, 60 gallon is undergoing some changes so the 10 gallon is temporary. but people say “oh they shouldn’t” but I do, successfully, with perfect water.

 

Remove them now! It's only a matter of time before something bad goes wrong. The only person I know who has successfully done this was in a 70 gallon heavily planted tank
I think it was david1978 ??
But in a ten gallon that doesn't look heavily planted - NO!

Edit: Sorry, 75 gallons, not 70.

 

Multiple male bettas can be housed together if they have enough space to claim their own territories. david1978 has done it with a betta harem tank. I would agree that a 10 gallon is too small to house them together, even if it's temporarily. Best to keep them separate until you move them to the 60 gallon.

 

Also, question - why did you even consider trying this? In a small tank? Why risk it?

 

Remove them now! It's only a matter of time before something bad goes wrong. The only person I know who has successfully done this was in a 70 gallon heavily planted tank
I think it was david1978 ??
But in a ten gallon that doesn't look heavily planted - NO!

Edit: Sorry, 75 gallons, not 70.

I have about 20-25 plants and rocks in my tank, and why would I move fish that are doing fine? That’s just silly. They’ll be put back in the 60 gallon in 1-2 days anyway. But seriously they’re fine, you even see any fin damage? Lol.

Multiple male bettas can be housed together if they have enough space to claim their own territories. david1978 has done it with a betta harem tank. I would agree that a 10 gallon is too small to house them together, even if it's temporarily. Best to keep them separate until you move them to the 60 gallon.

But why? They get along just fine, so what exactly is the risk? Lol.

 

In a heavily planted 4ft tank... maybe. A 10 gallon is just cruel.

 

Even if they're not attacking, the stress itself is cruel.
You can say "They're fine!" and "Lol" as much as you want, it makes no difference. In the wild, a betta population is dispersed roughly 1m squared per betta. 1.25 gallons per betta is cruel. No amount of conflict, or lack of, will change that.

 

I'd have to take the AbraCadaver's word for it, she has the fish and knows them better than anyone else so thanks for the information. I wouldn't keep that much stock in a 10 gallon for more than a few hours and agree it's asking for trouble. I do love the idea of having two males in a sorority tho.
It sounds like this was an intentional project with some issues along the way, what issues have you had and do you have more advice for anyone that might like to try?
I know their's plenty of people that will be happy to shoot this down (with or without personal experience) but it seems neither me or the OP are asking IF it should be done ...

 

Even if they're not attacking, the stress itself is cruel.
You can say "They're fine!" and "Lol" as much as you want, it makes no difference. In the wild, a betta population is dispersed roughly 1m squared per betta. 1.25 gallons per betta is cruel. No amount of conflict, or lack of, will change that.

These Betta fish aren’t wild, they’re bred in captivity in tanks containing hundreds, even thousands of Betta at a time. I suggest you watch some YouTube videos on how they’re housed before they’re imported to America. I don’t keep wild Betta fish.

I'd have to take the AbraCadaver's word for it, she has the fish and knows them better than anyone else so thanks for the information. I wouldn't keep that much stock in a 10 gallon for more than a few hours and agree it's asking for trouble. I do love the idea of having two males in a sorority tho.
It sounds like this was an intentional project with some issues along the way, what issues have you had and do you have more advice for anyone that might like to try?
I know their's plenty of people that will be happy to shoot this down (with or without personal experience) but it seems neither me or the OP are asking IF it should be done ...

Honestly, the only issue has been my substrate. I decided to change to sand for my peacock eels. I have sponge filters that are cycled in my 60, so that’s all fine. But the sand is purchased from online has left this milky looking dust and stuck to the side of my tank, plants, and it’s literally everywhere. So I went to my local landscaping flower nursery and got about 30lbs of sand for free that’s much better. I was just cleaning out that nasty sand and cleaning my new sand in some buckets, it’s been added, turned my heater back on last night and added some new plants. The Betta go in the 60 gallon today
I also have other male Betta in their own 10 gallon tanks, because they don’t play well with others. So that’s their permanent home. But yeah, no issues really aside from my substrate. So my advice is, never buy CaribSea sand. It’s nasty in my opinion.

Also, question - why did you even consider trying this? In a small tank? Why risk it?

So clearly people aren’t reading that they go in a 60 gallon, that the 10 gallon tank is like a 24 hour temporary issue due to a nasty substrate mess. I’m just clearing the air that it is possible to house male Betta together.

 

It is but even after doing it successfully for a little over 3 years I'm still not sure how I feel about it.

 

These Betta fish aren’t wild, they’re bred in captivity in tanks containing hundreds, even thousands of Betta at a time. I suggest you watch some YouTube videos on how they’re housed before they’re imported to America. I don’t keep wild Betta fish.

That's the thing though, some wild type betta are fine in the same tank together (usually a male and female I believe). Betta splendens on the other hand were originally bred to fight for sport, thus the name Siamese Fighting Fish. When bettas are being raised they are younger and much less aggressive. If you actually go and watch videos of people that breed bettas, you would know that eventually males and some females have to get picked out of the groups and housed on their own when they begin to mature and get more aggressive.

For now your fish may be fine, but for all you know it could be the calm before the storm. Since they are going to a 60 gallon tank in a short while, I have hope they won't build up to aggression. But even just the fact that you decided to take the risk of adding 2 males and 6 females into a 10 gallon, even temporarily, makes me worry about those fish. You had no idea they wouldn't rip each other to shreds in that tank and they still could. Keep an eye on them.....

 

It is but even after doing it successfully for a little over 3 years I'm still not sure how I feel about it.

Lol, obviously not that bad!
There's often quite a difference between what I'd advise and what I'd do.
I have a Betta in a small community with neocardinia shrimp and advocate that its quite possible but I wouldn't advise it

Yea there's plenty of options and probably best pushing the boundaries with territorial species that are a bit nippy but aren't likely to rip eachother to shreds in minuits.
What do you reckon tho, shall I drop another male in my 5gal

 

It was supposed to be girls only but a few turned out to be male. Mine was more accidental then on purpose. It wouldn't be something I would of tried on purpose.

 

It was supposed to be girls only but a few turned out to be male. Mine was more accidental then on purpose. It wouldn't be something I would of tried on purpose.

Must be nice to check on them and see everyone's still in one piece

 

I've kept 2 males in a 75 together. They were fine, but it didn't last because of the other tank mates bothering them. I've also seen several 10 gallon tanks with 2 males. Sometimes it works out from the get go, and sometimes they'd have to rehouse 1 or 2 bettas before they had a peaceful match. It can definitely be done, and it has been done in many situations. I would never recommend it to someone though. I can't remember her screen name, but there was a lady that had like a 55 gallon tank successfully filled with male bettas. She got a lot of grief for it, but it was really amazing.

 

These Betta fish aren’t wild, they’re bred in captivity in tanks containing hundreds, even thousands of Betta at a time. I suggest you watch some YouTube videos on how they’re housed before they’re imported to America. I don’t keep wild Betta fish.

Doesn't matter if they're wild or not, they still require similar conditions. Although, having betta splendens together is far worse than wild bettas. They were specifically bred to kill and fight with each other. As fry and youngsters, they're housed together, sure. I suspect that comes from the instinct of safety with numbers. But as soon as they get old enough, they DO become very territorial and violent. Hence why they are separated with age.
I suggest you watch some YouTube videos on how they're housed before they're imported anywhere.

 

Doesn't matter if they're wild or not, they still require similar conditions. Although, having betta splendens together is far worse than wild bettas. They were specifically bred to kill and fight with each other. As fry and youngsters, they're housed together, sure. I suspect that comes from the instinct of safety with numbers. But as soon as they get old enough, they DO become very territorial and violent. Hence why they are separated with age.
I suggest you watch some YouTube videos on how they're housed before they're imported anywhere.

Mine aren’t fighting, so I don’t agree. You have to watch them to be sure they won’t fight because not all males get along. The reason you don’t put them together is because they fight. If they don’t fight, there isn’t an issue. I’m not the only person on earth to do this.

I've kept 2 males in a 75 together. They were fine, but it didn't last because of the other tank mates bothering them. I've also seen several 10 gallon tanks with 2 males. Sometimes it works out from the get go, and sometimes they'd have to rehouse 1 or 2 bettas before they had a peaceful match. It can definitely be done, and it has been done in many situations. I would never recommend it to someone though. I can't remember her screen name, but there was a lady that had like a 55 gallon tank successfully filled with male bettas. She got a lot of grief for it, but it was really amazing.

I’m clearly getting a lot of negative feedback. I just think that people get mad over what they don’t understand. Mine are healthy, happy, and amazing and yeah, it can be done in a 10 gallon. I just think people will pick at anything that has to do with housing male Betta together. People say “oh they do this and this”
Yes, some do, I’ve actually had to work at finding compatible males. The ones who didn’t get along, have their very own 10 gallon tanks. With some loaches and snails, and a couple shrimp. I don’t just throw them in. I watch them for a couple of hours and see what they do. It’s a hit or miss because not all males are very friendly. I’ve found that it helps to purchase males that have been housed in the store where they can see other males for a while. Great success buying them that way.

 

Yea there's plenty of options and probably best pushing the boundaries with territorial species that are a bit nippy but aren't likely to rip eachother to shreds in minuits.
What do you reckon tho, shall I drop another male in my 5gal

i'de do 2

 

I would be really interested to see a youtube video or live stream of this tank lol...

 

Can we see some photos and videos of the tank?

 

Can we see some photos and videos of the tank?

So this is a picture of the 60 gallon, it isn’t finished with planting and stuff yet, and I’m having an issue with this dust on my glass still lol.

i'de do 2

I mean the rule is 1 gal per inch- inch and a half for fish so if they get along, yeah, sure. But no more than 3 I’d say. Lol.

I would be really interested to see a youtube video or live stream of this tank lol...

I actually just bought a sweet go pro for that reason when my tank is finished I’ll get to it

 

Can we see a pic of the 10 gallon?

 

So this is a picture of the 60 gallon, it isn’t finished with planting and stuff yet, and I’m having an issue with this dust on my glass still lol.

Some nice fast growing stem plants would look amazing. Bacopa perhaps

 

Some nice fast growing stem plants would look amazing. Bacopa perhaps

Thanks for the suggestion! My local fish shops are limited. I have some banana plant, hornwort, java moss, more grass... and some crypt to put in. More rock too, with some Anubias and java fern as well. I have some more fish to add too. But I’ll definitely be looking for more, cool plants to add.

Can we see a pic of the 10 gallon?

Yeah
That’s 2 of my 10 gallon tanks.
The one with sand has a little more in it now tho, like a new twig catfish, a couple baby guppy, some shrimp and a albino rainbow shark.

 

I’ve been keeping Bettas for 20 years. One of them WILL die. It may not be today or even this week or month, but one will die or at least become finless.

 

Hmm... I follow some people on YouTube who do it. In these years you’ve kept them, have you housed many male Betta together? Have you actually tried it and have multiple die ?

 

I'll just say that no, fighting and/or obvious territorial aggression is most certainly NOT the only problem to worry about. Bettas are not always murderous bloodthirsty killers like so many people believe. They're just as likely to be the tank pushover that hides out, doesn't eat, and dies from stress. Putting fish together in unsuitable environments is just begging for trouble in one way or another.

 

I’ve been keeping Bettas for 20 years. One of them WILL die. It may not be today or even this week or month, but one will die or at least become finless.

Hmm... I follow some people on YouTube who do it. In these years you’ve kept them, have you housed many male Betta together? Have you actually tried it and have multiple die ?

I'll just say that no, fighting and/or obvious territorial aggression is most certainly NOT the only problem to worry about. Bettas are not always murderous bloodthirsty killers like so many people believe. They're just as likely to be the tank pushover that hides out, doesn't eat, and dies from stress. Putting fish together in unsuitable environments is just begging for trouble in one way or another.

What’s unsuitable about it? Betta stress is easy to spot, mine aren’t showing signs... in fact they swim around in harmony all day.... but yeah, what’s unsuitable? Because my tank is fine.

 

I have to agree that betta fish are one of the easier fish to observe stress/happiness in.

 

Anyone doing anything outside of generally accepted practices usually gets attacked on this forum. Not too many here will support unconventional ways of doing things. If it's working for you, keep doing what you're doing. I now have 2 tanks running with only air, no filters. It's working so I'm sticking with it. I'm sure you're smart enough and conscientious enough to notice and handle things if they weren't going well. Your fish look happy and healthy to me.

 

I have to agree that betta fish are one of the easier fish to observe stress/happiness in.

Yes, indeed. They are not happy when they’re laying at the bottom, hiding, looking like they’re gasping for air... you can definitely tell when they are stressed. I keep my 10 gallon next to my bed so when I added the new male I watched them for literally hours. I do that every night... and they’re very happy. They flared up a little at first but then they’d jet away in opposite directions. Now they swim in the same area and don’t flare or fight or anything, and they’re in a 60 gallon now. I love my fish, I rescue sick ones all the time and nurse them back to health, I’ve had some males that don’t play well and they are removed the instant anyone starts getting nasty and put in their own tank, which is filtered and heated. I honestly just think a lot of people think that what I’m doing isn’t possible... and sometimes it isn’t, it takes time to find males that pair well... but it is possible, and it’s a beautiful thing to see when you find a pair that get along.

Anyone doing anything outside of generally accepted practices usually gets attacked on this forum. Not too many here will support unconventional ways of doing things. If it's working for you, keep doing what you're doing. I now have 2 tanks running with only air, no filters. It's working so I'm sticking with it. I'm sure you're smart enough and conscientious enough to notice and handle things if they weren't going well. Your fish look happy and healthy to me.

No filter, really? I’m intrigued. Do you use specific substrate or just hearty fish that prefer it that way?
And yeah, plenty of attacks coming my way. but the fun in the hobby is figuring out your groove. I mean I’m sure the first aquarium ever was pretty ridiculous at the time. Like omg you’re going to try and create an ecosystem in your living room!?
But yes, do tell me about your setup if you don’t mind.

 

My first filterless tank had been running for 2 years and my filter died. Instead of running out and replacing it, I decided to see how things went without one. I have a decent plant load and things balanced right out. I never had any loss of cycle. In the beginning, I tested my levels everyday. Now I check it once a week. Everything is still going great! The second tank is my daughter's tank. I had a sponge filter ordered already for it, but my daughter collected some gambusia from a local river and decided to keep them. I took some media from another tank and just dropped it in the tank. We're on the second week of that tank and our levels consistently showing no ammonia or nitrite, and some nitrate. Today nitrates were around 10ppm. So instant cycled and filterless. I'm watching both tanks closely and it's working just fine. I wouldn't recommend for a new fish keeper, but it is absolutely possible. Lrb aquatics is one of my favorite YouTubers and I love his natural approach. For me it's more of an experiment that's going really well.

 

My first filterless tank had been running for 2 years and my filter died. Instead of running out and replacing it, I decided to see how things went without one. I have a decent plant load and things balanced right out. I never had any loss of cycle. In the beginning, I tested my levels everyday. Now I check it once a week. Everything is still going great! The second tank is my daughter's tank. I had a sponge filter ordered already for it, but my daughter collected some gambusia from a local river and decided to keep them. I took some media from another tank and just dropped it in the tank. We're on the second week of that tank and our levels consistently showing no ammonia or nitrite, and some nitrate. Today nitrates were around 10ppm. So instant cycled and filterless. I'm watching both tanks closely and it's working just fine. I wouldn't recommend for a new fish keeper, but it is absolutely possible. Lrb aquatics is one of my favorite YouTubers and I love his natural approach. For me it's more of an experiment that's going really well.

Well, I think anyone who keeps a tank “experiments”
If you try to research what to do, there are so many ways that different people say to do it. You kinda go your own way with it. It is literally a science! That’s super cool though... my uncle had this tank when I was younger that he would go to a local creek and catch his own fish and stuff, and he only used all local stuff from the same creek. He didn’t use any filters, he would do partial water changes every week or two with water from the stream of the creek. It was truly magical. I’m using sponges in my 60 and whisper carbon in my 10s. I have little angelfish too tho, so I’m probably not brave enough to ever go no filter. What type of fish do you keep? Sorry for so many questions, the abnormal fish keeping peaks my interest lol

 

Ask as many questions as you want, I love hearing about unconventional tanks too. The first one is my cool water tank with dojo loaches, neon tetras, and white cloud minnows. Oh, and one CAE that is getting to be quite ornery. I've actually added a few wcmm since I went filterless, some of the original group didn't make it through quarantine.

We're at the river a lot so it was only a matter of time before my daughter brought some fish home. I just made sure I had a fishing license so it was legal and that it wasn't a species that would outgrow the tank. I also order meds so we can treat any fish that came with nasties.

 

Ask as many questions as you want, I love hearing about unconventional tanks too. The first one is my cool water tank with dojo loaches, neon tetras, and white cloud minnows. Oh, and one CAE that is getting to be quite ornery. I've actually added a few wcmm since I went filterless, some of the original group didn't make it through quarantine.

We're at the river a lot so it was only a matter of time before my daughter brought some fish home. I just made sure I had a fishing license so it was legal and that it wasn't a species that would outgrow the tank. I also order meds so we can treat any fish that came with nasties.

That is super cool! I have been thinking about getting some tetras. I have a couple KuhlI loaches and a super cool peacock eel.
You don’t get tons of algae or slime in the tank when unfiltered? Do you vacuum or just leave the good bacteria in the gravel grow? It actually seems possible to do on an older tank. Bacteria will grow, keeping the water clean... feeding the plants. I assume that’s what’s going on in there?
I use to catch crayfish and keep them in my tank, love those things. Illinois doesn’t have too many options really with fish. Bluegill are cool and don’t normally get too big.

 

I do get some slime on the glass. I clean the front glass but leave the rest of it alone. Recently, I did start getting a little hair algae but I'm pretty sure that's being caused by my new light. I have sand and I'm pretty thorough when I vacuum it. My only complaint has been an increase in debris in the water column, but that has actually started to balance out also. I didn't have any air in the tank for the first couple of days and my fish seemed to prefer it. I started seeing a lot of breeding behavior and my fish started occupying the area where the filter output was. It's been a lot of fun comparing the behavior in my filterless vs. filtered tanks. I'm not ready to ditch all my filters, but I'm really glad I was comfortable enough to try it.