Search the Community

If getting a betta that was living in a sorority tank is it better for her to have tank mates (non betta) rather than being solo? I have a 5 gallon I'm trying to figure out what I want to do with. Current residents are a couple nerites and mts. Used to have a male betta so now deciding if I want to get a female or try something else out. I know options are a bit limited for a 5g...

First and foremost I want to say that this thread is not intended to throw shade at anyone who may own a Betta sorority tank, this is merely to get people's opinion on this topic and to share insight. If this thread gets heated I will be deleting it. This is my opinion. We all know that fish are used to living in close-knit communities. Considering that most types of fish have an increased chance of survival when living in groups, it is no surprise, either. Nevertheless, it is not an easy thing to replicate when it comes to an aquarium environment. There are several complications that you encounter from the start if you were to attempt a betta sorority in addition to the ethical issues. Typically, you do not have to be an expert to take care of Betta fish. However, when you force them into an environment together and they start forming sororities, things become a little different. I do not believe you should ever attempt a Betta sorority if you are a beginner, period, you may endanger the existence of the fish even more so if you are not prepared for what may happen. I can not stress it enough if you do you must have a holistic understanding of Betta sororities and how they work before even thinking of setting one up and even then, the risk involved could prove to be to much, and even then I personally do not recommend it. Why am I so set in this belief? Well there are fish horror stories and there are fish massacres, it is quite dramatic to suggest it would be world ending because I myself have had two Betta fish that randomly get along so I stuck them in a tank but if you are going for anything above two you are really pushing it. In the start, I just wasn't comfortable with the subject because I was ignorant to how it might play out, but now after really digging deep and looking closer I still am not convinced this is a good healthy thing for your animal. Some would argue that it is all situational but I am not just talking about the physical dangers, but the mental ones. Betta fish get incredibly uncomfortable and skittish around other Bettas, that is a fact, and imagine how the Betta who is at the bottom of the pecking order feels. Yes that may be an emotional argument, and I have seen some work arounds and arguments around the internet like "I have thick foliage and cover in my tank, so the Bettas can hide and rest after battles!" and while that is all fine and dandy I can't help but feel like it really rides the line on endangerment. Betta fish do not crave contact with other Betta fish, even while breeding Bettas are known for taring one another apart, and even when given the benefit of the doubt and lets say they won't do it in your tank, the added stress is just not worth it. There are much better options that are easier and more ethical like any actual schooling fish. What do you guys think?