anna0219
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Hello,
I recently started up a new tank as a small "betta sorority." I have three female bettas in a 5.5g tank. When I was setting up the tank I asked for advice on stocking it and received some suggestions for the betta sorority of three. One person warned me against it, but I tried to go with the popular vote and give it a try.
So far, the fish are adjusting to their new home very well. I added them to the tank on Friday and they all look very healthy. The temp and filtration all seems to be suiting them perfectly.
The girls are Piper, a red betta, Gwen, a yellow betta, and Aquaneesha, a blue crowntail betta (named by my roommate). Piper is a bit smaller than the other two, though not by much, but she is getting picked on a bit. Aquaneesha is the most dominant and will randomly chase both Gwen and Piper around the tank. However, Gwen has also started chasing Piper but immediately backs down to Aqua.
I'm a little bit worried! They don't appear to be hurting her - I've been watching them constantly to check for fighting. Gwen seems to open her mouth as she chases Piper, but she so far doesn't appear to have actually bitten her.
They both chase Piper for a couple of seconds virtually whenever they encounter her in the tank. I have three fairly big artificial plants, a little flower pot on its side, and some big rocks that all provide hiding places for Piper, but she doesn't seem to have noticed how great of a place the pot would be for her to hide yet.
Should I be worried? I've heard that they will do this at the beginning then settle down eventually, and I don't know if perhaps it is less troublesome than it appears, but I don't want them harrassing her to death. Would you recommend separation? And if so, after how much time?
I recently started up a new tank as a small "betta sorority." I have three female bettas in a 5.5g tank. When I was setting up the tank I asked for advice on stocking it and received some suggestions for the betta sorority of three. One person warned me against it, but I tried to go with the popular vote and give it a try.
So far, the fish are adjusting to their new home very well. I added them to the tank on Friday and they all look very healthy. The temp and filtration all seems to be suiting them perfectly.
The girls are Piper, a red betta, Gwen, a yellow betta, and Aquaneesha, a blue crowntail betta (named by my roommate). Piper is a bit smaller than the other two, though not by much, but she is getting picked on a bit. Aquaneesha is the most dominant and will randomly chase both Gwen and Piper around the tank. However, Gwen has also started chasing Piper but immediately backs down to Aqua.
I'm a little bit worried! They don't appear to be hurting her - I've been watching them constantly to check for fighting. Gwen seems to open her mouth as she chases Piper, but she so far doesn't appear to have actually bitten her.
They both chase Piper for a couple of seconds virtually whenever they encounter her in the tank. I have three fairly big artificial plants, a little flower pot on its side, and some big rocks that all provide hiding places for Piper, but she doesn't seem to have noticed how great of a place the pot would be for her to hide yet.
Should I be worried? I've heard that they will do this at the beginning then settle down eventually, and I don't know if perhaps it is less troublesome than it appears, but I don't want them harrassing her to death. Would you recommend separation? And if so, after how much time?
