Wild betta Persephone fighting

Hi!
Yesterday I received a pair of betta Persephone I had ordered online. They are not wild caught. They are said to be between 3.5-4.5 months old.

I have a well planted 5 gallon tank that they are currently in, I am planning to upgrade them to a 10 in a few weeks.

Last night when I received them I acclimated them to the tank and put them in. I noticed the male harassing the female and she was developing stress stripes so I decided to put the male in a breeder box. just to give them time to recover from the stress of shipping before I re introduced them.

Today I tried to introduce them again and the sparing has continued though now the female seems to be equally aggressive.I was wondering what I should do. I know a little fighting is to be expected but this looks like a bit much to me. Currently I have separated out the male into a breeder box (in the same tank) until I figure this out.

if you have any suggestions please let me know, I would really appreciate it.


video link:

(They had only been in the tank together for about 10 minutes when I took this video, was kinda scared someone was gonna loose an eye lol)

 

You should get them each their own 5-10 gallon tanks doesn’t sound like they like each other. The breeder box will only stress them both out more and possibly a chance one or the other could jump into the box or back into the tank overnight before you can separate them. Just my .02

 

You should get them each their own 5-10 gallon tanks doesn’t sound like they like each other. The breeder box will only stress them both out more and possibly a chance one or the other could jump into the box or back into the tank overnight before you can separate them. Just my .02

That’s what I was thinking and I do have another back up 5 gal I can separate them out into but I was hoping to breed them in a few months. This species is supposed to be pretty chill with living in groups or pairs

 

You could separate them for now then try again once their settled in a bit more. That’s what I would do. Also a much bigger tank might b able to house more of them as long as there r hiding spots and plants that will break their lines of sight. I’m just throwing ideas out. Never bred bettas and never had more than one in a tank at a time. And we don’t currently have one in any of our tanks.

 

What does the tank look like? Imo 5 gallons is way too small, there is hardly any room for either fish to get away from the other or to have their own territories.

 

That’s what I was thinking and I do have another back up 5 gal I can separate them out into but I was hoping to breed them in a few months. This species is supposed to be pretty chill with living in groups or pairs

Rule 1: Nature doesn't really listen to what people say it is supposed to do lol

 

What does the tank look like? Imo 5 gallons is way too small, there is hardly any room for either fish to get away from the other or to have their own territories.

I have read that they would be fine in 5 gal and with their juvenile age I thought they would be ok for a little bit, I can see with the way they act though that this clearly isn’t working. This was only meant to be a temporary tank, sort of like a quarantine period for me to Monitor them before putting them in a bigger tank.

I think I will put one of them in another 5 while I finish up the 10 gallon, unless someone else has an idea. I was just worried that it would be harder to bond them if I wait until they are older.

I tried to plant it up and give as many hides as I could. This is the tank about a month ago, it has grown in a bit more since then and I have added more leaf litter.I can’t get a good picture currently because the breeder box is in the way. ( I do have plastic wrap over the top of the tank to prevent jumping)

 

I have read that they would be fine in 5 gal and with their juvenile age I thought they would be ok for a little bit, I can see with the way they act though that this clearly isn’t working. This was only meant to be a temporary tank, sort of like a quarantine period for me to Monitor them before putting them in a bigger tank.

I think I will put one of them in another 5 while I finish up the 10 gallon, unless someone else has an idea. I was just worried that it would be harder to bond them if I wait until they are older.

I tried to plant it up and give as many hides as I could. This is the tank about a month ago, it has grown in a bit more since then and I have added more leaf litter.I can’t get a good picture currently because the breeder box is in the way.

Since it does seem decently planted the size is the only thing I can think of that is causing an issue. Besides the temperament of the bettas. I don't know much about breeding though so I'm not too sure about the bonding process. I think some bettas just don't get along. I've read of other betta breeders having to try different males with their females because of aggression.