Betta soroity

[Lira]

I have a 40 gal breeder tank for a betta sorority with other tank mates. Mix of silk and live plants. Decent amount of hiding places and swimming space. Plan to slowly introduce all fish, in the order listed. Does this sound doable for a successful betta sorority?Thanks!
1. 8 harlequin rasboras
2. 3 kuhli loaches
3. 5 panda cory catfish
4. 6 female bettas

 

[Andy Sager]

I have a 40 gal breeder tank for a betta sorority with other tank mates. Mix of silk and live plants. Decent amount of hiding places and swimming space. Plan to slowly introduce all fish, in the order listed. Does this sound doable for a successful betta sorority?Thanks!
1. 8 harlequin rasboras
2. 3 kuhli loaches
3. 5 panda cory catfish
4. 6 female bettas

When mixing bettas, males or females, there is always a chance it won't work. They were made for fighting so that can happen. I will say that keeping siblings has a higher success rate than mixing random fish. Starting with younger/ baby fish has a higher success rate than adding random older fish. Adding all the bettas at one time has a higher success rate than adding them one or two at a time. Just make sure you have plenty of hiding spots for the fish to each have a home away from the other females.
The 4 fish types you listed are pretty benign so the order you add them shouldn't be an issue. Bettas fight with each other more than any other fish so whether you put them in first or last doesn't really matter. ( If you go with baby Bettas, you might want to add them first so they have a chance to grow a little before adding more fish. )

Hope this helps.

 

[Lira]

Thank you. Very helpful. Might it work better to swap the bett
a sorority for one male betta?

 

[Andy Sager]

Thank you. Very helpful. Might it work better to swap the bett
a sorority for one male betta?

Truthfully, female bettas can handle being in larger tanks because they have shorter fins so they can swim better. Long finned Males tend to have problems in larger spaces or with current. Most commercial Betta breeders keep their males in only a 1 or 2 gallon container while they keep females in larger vats when not separated.
Just an FYI