As many people here have said, the same rules DO apply to female betta fish as well as males. Bettas are not naturally a community fish, and trying to force them to be just that can be harmful to the mentality of your fish. Most bettas do excellent in a 5 gallon tank BY THEMSELVES. Females will not do well with other females, like males dont do well with other males. HOWEVER, if you really want to put a female betta in there, think of these things first:
1.)You can only keep one female betta per tank, same as males
2.)Make sure the tank is very large in size, and it is far from over-stocked. This will prevent your female from feeling the need to protect her territory.
3.)Make sure the other fish in the aquarium are not very brightly colored. Sadly, if you want a betta in a community tank, the betta will have to be your "centerpiece fish". The other fish need to be dull colored, with short fins. This is because bettas might be smart, but they are not geniuses. They will almost always attack any fish that even slightly resembles a betta.
4.)Make sure there are lots of hiding spaces for both the other fish, and the betta. The betta will need a cave, or other small place where she can hide in to escape the other fish. Believe it or not, your betta is just as scared of other fish as the other fish are scared of it. For different reasons of course, but still the same. You also need to provide hiding spots for the other fish when your betta gives chase (which she will at some point)
5.)Make sure that the fish you put in with the betta are fast swimmers, so they can escape easily.
6.)Make introductions very slowly, and monitor the fish for 12 hours before going to bed to break up and fishy fights if nessessary.
HOWEVER, if you intend to put mollies, or guppies in that tank, you really need to critically rethink putting a betta in there.
HOPE THIS HELPED
-Bettaluv
