Halfmoon and twintail hairstyle discussion

[favour]

I just set up a proper 2 gallon tank for my twintail halfmoon betta, complete with a filter and new decor. My friend had him in a half gallon tank before, but now he's got some real space to move around. The bigger tank seems to have made all the difference - he looks way happier and his stress lines are already fading. I even set up a special cave for him to chill in near the top, and a leaf hammock near the surface for him to lounge on. Since the move, he's been making bubbles and exploring his new home nonstop. I'm thinking of getting a sorority of females to keep him company, but I'm not sure what size tank I'd need for that.

[sSjey]

I'd advise against going with just three females. In my experience, the dynamics don't quite work out. One female is perfectly fine on her own, but with two, you risk one being bullied by the other. Introduce a third, and you'll likely see two of them ganging up on the third. It's not a pretty sight.

Female bettas do establish a hierarchy, and the ones at the top tend to assert their dominance by picking on those lower down. The more females you have, the more this aggression gets distributed. In my opinion, four is the minimum for a sorority, but the more, the merrier - or at least, the less bullying.

As for tank size, I wouldn't recommend anything smaller than 15 gallons for four fish. If you plan on keeping more, you'll need an even larger tank. And don't skimp on the plants - or fake ones, if you prefer. You'll want to create plenty of hiding spots for each fish to escape the others.

[favour]

Thanks so much for the info, I really appreciate it. I was under the impression that 3 females would be okay, since I've read in a few places that odd numbers are best, but I'm glad you clarified that for me. I'm thinking of getting 5 or 6 females now, would a 20 gallon tank be enough for them?

[SeaBidder]

I've had my fair share of experience with betta sororities, having kept 11 in a 20-gallon long tank. Let me tell you, it's no easy feat. As mentioned earlier, a heavily planted tank is crucial - we're talking plants packed in so tight the fish can easily hide. Caves are also a must, allowing each betta to stake its claim. Daily monitoring is essential to ensure each fish is thriving, and it's not uncommon for some to be bullied mercilessly. Having spare tanks on hand is a must, just in case you need to isolate a betta that's being picked on. Before diving into the world of betta sororities, I strongly advise you to do your research - it's a beautiful setup, but it requires dedication. I'm happy to share my knowledge and answer any questions you may have.

[favour]

So I've been doing some more research and I'm wondering, would live plants be the way to go for a betta sorority tank? I've also been looking into substrate and I'm getting really mixed answers - does it really make a difference, or is it just personal preference?

[sSjey]

For a betta-only tank, substrate choice isn't a major concern. That being said, if you're planning to incorporate live plants, it's best to opt for smaller gravel or sand, as they tend to thrive in these conditions. I've made the switch from gravel to sand myself, and I find it's significantly easier to clean and maintain.

While live plants are undoubtedly the better choice for a tank, the key takeaway for a betta sorority is to have an abundance of plants, regardless of whether they're live or fake. If you're struggling to grow live plants, it's better to have a multitude of fake plants than a few live ones that are barely surviving.

[SeaBidder]

I've actually had a combination of both live and fake plants in my tank, and I've gotta say, it worked pretty well for me. If you can click on my avatar, you'll see a bigger picture of my old sorority tank - it's got a nice mix of plants, and I used white sand as the substrate.

[favour]

Thanks for the advice. I think a mix of live and fake plants would be ideal for my setup. However, I do have some concerns about the fake plants - many of them come folded up, which makes it tricky to arrange the leaves in a way that prevents my fish from getting stuck.