One Male And One Female Betta In 10 Gallon Tank?

So I have two goldfish in a 10 gallon tank and I plan on moving them into a 20 gallon tank soon and I was wondering if I could put my one male betta in the 10 gallon tank and buy a female betta and put them together. I know buying another male would only mean certain death for the other male and I know with two females one will want to be the alpha and the two may fight and get jealous because of the one male inside. I'm also asking because right now I have him in a biorb 4-5 gallon bowl but I want to get some dwarf seahorses and put them inside instead since they don't need to much room either otherwise they wouldn't be able to find they're food and die. Another reason why I'm asking is because my friends older sister has a female betta but she's never over to take care of it so I said I might be able to take it in. (Picture of Sol in his biorb bowl)

 

Female bettas are not really different from the males in terms of aggression, just a little less aggressive. They will probably still kill each other.

 

You can't put a male and female together in a 10 gallin tank. You shouldn't be stuffing two goldfish into a twenty gallon tank either.

 

With a male and female together you will be breeding, and breeding bettas is far more complex then say live bearers. In fact it can be fatal even in proper setups since both the male and female can get aggressive with each other. You will need plenty of money, space, and tanks in order to breed bettas. You need three tanks one breeder tank (ten gallon) and the other two tanks one for the female and one for the male. Then you need several other tanks for the fry since the male fry can't be together as they will fight. Some of the female fry might be okay together in a few twenty gallons or bigger tanks. It's really not for a beginner.

In a ten gallon bettas really shouldn't be with other fish due to territory issues.

 

With a male and female together you will be breeding, and breeding bettas is far more complex then say live bearers. In fact it can be fatal even in proper setups since both the male and female can get aggressive with each other. You will need plenty of money, space, and tanks in order to breed bettas. You need three tanks one breeder tank (ten gallon) and the other two tanks one for the female and one for the male. Then you need several other tanks for the fry since the male fry can't be together as they will fight. Some of the female fry might be okay together in a few twenty gallons or bigger tanks. It's really not for a beginner.

In a ten gallon bettas really shouldn't be with other fish due to territory issues.

Ok, thank you, that was actually one of the things I was a bit worried about was breeding as I don't want to breed them at all. Do you think if I put a divider it could work?

Female bettas are not really different from the males in terms of aggression, just a little less aggressive. They will probably still kill each other.

Ok, thank you

 

Ok, thank you, that was actually one of the things I was a bit worried about was breeding as I don't want to breed them at all. Do you think if I put a divider it could work?

A divider will work. If you get a shorter finned male or a female I would only have one in a ten gallon tank. They are quite active swimmers.

 

No a divider would only work for 2 males. Females secrete hormones. She will get eggbound and die. It'd also be really stressful for both of them.

 

A divider will work. If you get a shorter finned male or a female I would only have one in a ten gallon tank. They are quite active swimmers.

No a divider would only work for 2 males. Females secrete hormones. She will get eggbound and die. It'd also be really stressful for both of them.

Ah, sorry so would a divider work or not? The other betta would probably just be the female from my friend so I could take it in for her

 

No a divider would only work for 2 males. Females secrete hormones. She will get eggbound and die. It'd also be really stressful for both of them.

She wouldn't become egg bound and die.

 

She wouldn't become egg bound and die.

It's a possibility, worst case scenario. But it would be stressful for them because the females do secrete hormones and so does the male. It's inadvisable.

EDIT: This was the advice I was given when considering the same scenario.

 

It's a possibility, worst case scenario. But it would be stressful for them because the females do secrete hormones and so does the male. It's inadvisable.

EDIT: This was the advice I was given when considering the same scenario.

I breed bettas. Both males and females excrete hormones stressing them out one way or the other in divided tanks. The fish can die due to complications from stress as well as be constantly egg bound, but being egg bound alone typically won't kill them. There are a number of factors that come into play.

 

I breed bettas. Both males and females excrete hormones stressing them out one way or the other in divided tanks. The fish can die due to complications from stress as well as be constantly egg bound, but being egg bound alone typically won't kill them. There are a number of factors that come into play.

Ok, I understand now. But it's still inadvisable to keep a male and a female in a divided tank which was what I was getting at.. It would cause the fish stress and could kill them.

 

Ok, I understand now. But it's still inadvisable to keep a male and a female in a divided tank which was what I was getting at.. It would cause the fish stress and could kill them.

Keeping males together is a lot more stressful than keeping females with females or females with males.

 

Even with a proper divider? One that can't be seen though? I have seen lots of people do that. I personally wouldn't. I just have one in a 10g.

 

Even with a proper divider? One that can't be seen though? I have seen lots of people do that. I personally wouldn't. I just have one in a 10g.

The hormones will still be sensed by the other betta.

 

The hormones will still be sensed by the other betta.

I didn't realize the males did that too. That's interesting to know. I know people often keep females in sororities where they can establish their own territories but that the aquarium must be large enough and planted enough. I just have my one mean guy. Sorry to the OP for hijacking his thread. But the point is no male/female won't work.

 

I didn't realize the males did that too. That's interesting to know. I know people often keep females in sororities where they can establish their own territories but that the aquarium must be large enough and planted enough. I just have my one mean guy. Sorry to the OP for hijacking his thread. But the point is no male/female won't work.

Ah it's ok, I'm learning to anyway. I'll just try and convince them into giving me the tank or buy a whole new one if I do get the girl

 

So I have two goldfish in a 10 gallon tank and I plan on moving them into a 20 gallon tank soon and I was wondering if I could put my one male betta in the 10 gallon tank and buy a female betta and put them together. I know buying another male would only mean certain death for the other male and I know with two females one will want to be the alpha and the two may fight and get jealous because of the one male inside. I'm also asking because right now I have him in a biorb 4-5 gallon bowl but I want to get some dwarf seahorses and put them inside instead since they don't need to much room either otherwise they wouldn't be able to find they're food and die. Another reason why I'm asking is because my friends older sister has a female betta but she's never over to take care of it so I said I might be able to take it in. (Picture of Sol in his biorb bowl)

*Males and females cannot be housed together without a divider. If you do a divider, you can make one with sliding report bars and black craft mesh.

I've never had issues with male/female divided 10 gallons.


Dwarf seahorses are difficult for even experienced saltwater keepers to care for. Have you had a saltwater tank before? Do you have the time to do the water changes required to keep the saltwater tanks parameters correct? Do you have time to hatch BBS every day?

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of goldfish do you have?

 

Makes and females cannot be housed together without a divider. If you do a divider, you can make one with sliding report bars and black craft mesh.

I've never had issues with male/female divided 10 gallons.


Dwarf seahorses are difficult for even experienced saltwater keepers to care for. Have you had a saltwater tank before? Do you have the time to do the water changes required to keep the saltwater tanks parameters correct? Do you have time to hatch BBS every day?

I had clownfish for a bit, they were family fish and just eventually died so they stayed in the kitchen instead of my room but I had recently gone to the aquarium with my boyfriend and saw how wonderful the seahorses were so after doing some research I thought I would at least try.

 

I had clownfish for a bit, they were family fish and just eventually died so they stayed in the kitchen instead of my room but I had recently gone to the aquarium with my boyfriend and saw how wonderful the seahorses were so after doing some research I thought I would at least try.

Just keep in mind how much of a commitment they are - I had a scooter dragonet that only ate live food and I eventually had to rehome him because we never could have gone on vacation or anything because he needed daily live food. This was in a 5 gallon. A 3 gallon's parameters would be even harder to keep up.

Have you considered cherry shrimp or another variety of neo shrimp for the biorb? Heavily planted that would be a very nice and easy care tank.

 

Just keep in mind how much of a commitment they are - I had a scooter dragonet that only ate live food and I eventually had to rehome him because we never could have gone on vacation or anything because he needed daily live food. This was in a 5 gallon. A 3 gallon's parameters would be even harder to keep up.

Have you considered cherry shrimp or another variety of neo shrimp for the biorb? Heavily planted that would be a very nice and easy care tank.

I never really looked into shrimp has pets lol but once I did think about getting a blue crayfish I saw at the pet store. I know that's different from shrimp but I think both would be somewhat uncommon pets.

 

*Males and females cannot be housed together without a divider. If you do a divider, you can make one with sliding report bars and black craft mesh.

I've never had issues with male/female divided 10 gallons.


Dwarf seahorses are difficult for even experienced saltwater keepers to care for. Have you had a saltwater tank before? Do you have the time to do the water changes required to keep the saltwater tanks parameters correct? Do you have time to hatch BBS every day?

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of goldfish do you have?

How in the world did we get onto sea horses?

 

How in the world did we get onto sea horses?

If I was going to be able to move the betta into a 10 gallon tank I was going to put sea horses in the biorb. They're kind of like bettas in that they don't need a lot of room to survive

 

How in the world did we get onto sea horses?

I'm also asking because right now I have him in a 4-5 gallon bowl but I want to get some dwarf seahorses and put them inside instead since they don't need to much room either otherwise they wouldn't be able to find they're food and die.

 

If I was going to be able to move the betta into a 10 gallon tank I was going to put sea horses in the biorb. They're kind of like bettas in that they don't need a lot of room to survive

Bettas are quite active swimmers if given the room yo swim.

 

Bettas are quite active swimmers if given the room yo swim.

Yeah I know, even though Sol is in a 4-5 gallon bowl (I can't remember the original size I had bought for him) he really loves to swim around and in circles and through his little barrel.

 

I would do one betta in a ten gallon tank.

 

I just saw a small tank with 5 sea horses. They were to die for! two different colors They were so sweet almost made me want to get into salt water. They seemed to be happy together and slow swimmers. They were $80.- each . A new shop that just opened in Phoenix. Everything was beautiful!!!
Kyleaz

 

I just saw a small tank with 5 sea horses. They were to die for! two different colors They were so sweet almost made me want to get into salt water. They seemed to be happy together and slow swimmers. They were $80.- each . A new shop that just opened in Phoenix. Everything was beautiful!!!
Kyleaz

Yes they are quite beautiful and you can find them for cheaper just make sure you're buying from a trustworthy place.

 

If I was going to be able to move the betta into a 10 gallon tank I was going to put sea horses in the biorb. They're kind of like bettas in that they don't need a lot of room to survive

Yeah I wouldn't do the seahorses in such a small tank, not even the dwarf kind.

 

Yeah I wouldn't do the seahorses in such a small tank, not even the dwarf kind.

A dwarf sea horse would be fine in a 4 gallon tank, you don't want something big because then they won't be able to find there food or anything, that's why when you go to aquariums they're not in big tanks like all the other fish

 

So I have two goldfish in a 10 gallon tank and I plan on moving them into a 20 gallon tank soon and I was wondering if I could put my one male betta in the 10 gallon tank and buy a female betta and put them together. I know buying another male would only mean certain death for the other male and I know with two females one will want to be the alpha and the two may fight and get jealous because of the one male inside. I'm also asking because right now I have him in a biorb 4-5 gallon bowl but I want to get some dwarf seahorses and put them inside instead since they don't need to much room either otherwise they wouldn't be able to find they're food and die. Another reason why I'm asking is because my friends older sister has a female betta but she's never over to take care of it so I said I might be able to take it in. (Picture of Sol in his biorb bowl)

Putting a male and female together should only be done when wanting to breed. Which is a hard and tbh can be a dangerous process for the fish if not monitored and done by someone who is knowledgeable about it. Depending on your level of expertise with fish, some would say a 10 gallon is too small which tbh I agree but if you want to look into it, you could do a female betta sorority and figure out something else for your male betta. Like I said though this depends on your level of experience and I would do more research. Another thing you could do is possibly put a divider in, but this may cause stress between the two bettas. So I would monitor the water levels and their behavior. Now just having a betta and 4 or 5 feeder guppies, white cloud minnows, or neon tetras. (there are some people who would say a 10 gallon is too small for neon tetras) Sorry for the long reply I am sure you have already had other replies lol. Hope this helped though. If you have any other questions I would be happy to answer them.

 

I have no idea what sources of information say that keeping a female and male in a divided tank would cause the female to be eggbound.

Everything that I've read says that the treatment for an eggbound female is to put her in sight of a male, if that doesn't work, put her in a divided tank with a male, and if THAT doesn't work, let them actually breed (the reasoning being that he can squeeze the eggs out of her, and a few torn fins are a better alternative to her dying).

I'm not a breeder, but my best friend, the woman I get all my bettas from, is a breeder and she was the one who suggested a male and female in a divided tank when I bought my very first bettas, specifically to avoid problems like being eggbound.

16 years later, other than my rescues and one sorority, I've had exclusively males and females in divided tanks and have never had a female become eggbound. Literally didn't even really understand what it was until joining this site and reading about people who had eggbound females. I simply just don't believe when people say that putting a male and female in a divided tank will cause her to become eggbound. Maybe one in a million, some fish are just prone to certain conditions, I suppose, but even searching the posts here, I can't find an instance where a female in a divided tank with a male became eggbound.

Just lots of people saying that it'll cause her to become eggbound. No actual instances of it happening that I could find.

I love females and males in a divided tank. I've got my twin halfmoons, a brother and sister, in a divided tank now, and they're great. The thing I love most about it is that she keeps him active.

I've had females hit 8 years old, but never a male, and it's speculated that the reason many males don't live as long is because the heavy fins keep them sedentary. Cardio is just as important for them as it is for us.

My female, Nephthys, keeps her brother Osiris active and engaged. He's massive, the biggest of all my fish, and he's not a rosetail, neither of his parents had particularly impressive fins, and Neph doesn't have particularly impressive fins, but he looks like a rosetail. Seriously massive.

But he's also the most active and the fastest of all my fish. Neph keeps him in good enough physical shape to handle the weight of his huge fins.

To give you an idea of his fins. He was not bred this way, it was not deliberate. A complete fluke.






Even when he flares, his fins still look "fluffy."

So the fact that he's the strongest swimmer of all my males, the rest of which have reasonably sized fins, says something.

On average, my females have lived 6-7 years, with a couple hitting 8, and my males have lived 5, with a few hitting 6 and two hitting 7. I kinda feel like, if keeping them in divided tanks was harmful to them, it would show in their lifespan and general health (chronic stress is just as harmful to them as it is to us). And we'd see more posts about health problems in divided tanks, as well.

I always 100% recommend keeping males and females in divided tanks. Definitely worth doing.