There is something fascinating about a group of female betta fish swimming in the aquarium without caring about each other. Unfortunately, it is difficult, if not impossible, to obtain.
Steps
Step 1. Set up the aquarium as you normally would for betta fish, but use a 40 liter or larger aquarium
Make sure you have everything you need to take care of the aquarium.
This tank will have to contain a large number of plants, with many caves and hiding places
Step 2. Introduce females
Purchase at least 3 female bettas. Being at least 3 allows them to create a hierarchy. Make sure you buy all the specimens you want to keep together at once and place them in the aquarium at the same time.
Step 3. During the first two weeks they spend together, the females will fight
Leave them alone, because they are establishing the pecking order. Be careful when feeding them, as they are very competitive and can eat a lot more than they should.
Step 4. Observe them
You need to constantly check for signs of injury (other than bitten fins).
If you have to remove a bully, don't remove the more aggressive female, because she is in control. If she is removed, the aquarium will become a bloodbath
Step 5. Feed the fish with pellets and dried, frozen or live food 1-2 times a day
Step 6. If the setup doesn't work out, likely enough, you need to have a backup plan, like three 10-liter tanks or friends wanting to catch one of the fish
Be prepared to separate the females if they become too aggressive.
Step 7. Don't add any more females
Most of the time, a new female doesn't just take her place as the newcomer. Putting new females into the aquarium would stimulate fighting.
Advice
- By nature, bettas are solitary fish that appreciate having large individual territories. The larger your aquarium, the more territory each individual can claim for themselves, reducing fighting. Plants, decorations, and other hiding places can help create territories, so be sure to include plenty of places for females to take refuge.
- Female bettas who have lived together since birth have the best chance of getting along. If you can buy a group of females from a breeder who has always kept them in the same tank, you will have the best chance of successfully building a community.
- If you want to choose the female who will be the leader, keep it for some time before creating the community. When you do, I will be more likely to become a leader because she will be the oldest.
- Do not put a male betta in the tank: he would be in more danger than the females, because they would attack him.
- Don't overcrowd the aquarium - it's the quickest way to fail. Do not try to keep more than 4 females in a 40 liter tank.
Warnings
- Many stores mistakenly mistake male short-finned bettas for females. Make sure you only put females in the aquarium!
- This venture is quite risky and is not recommended for inexperienced owners. Female bettas are often no less aggressive than males, and this arrangement doesn't always work.
- Don't try this with male bettas!
