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Hi,
Needing a personal opinion. Has anyone successfully kept two male bettas in a 10 gallon (cycled) tank with a divider separating them? Or does it cause too much stress? I'm not a big fan of the divided aquarium route, but I'm trying to work out an arrangement with my new 10 gallon that will include at least one male betta. Up until now, all of my bettas have been housed in separate tanks. However, I tend to think they are happier when they can at least SEE other fish and interact with them on some level.

My options seem to be: 1) use a divider and have two bettas in about 5 gallons of water; 2) use a divider with a betta on one side and smaller fish on the other; or 3) try to create a small community tank with the betta in the full 10 gallons and maybe some platys or swordtails with him. I'm really not crazy about livebearers...kept them years ago, and find them a little boring compared to anabantids. I like corys, but a friend of mine pointed out that they can be hard to feed with a betta ready to pounce on the sinking food before it ever reaches bottom.

Any opinions?

Thanks!

[span class="edited"][Edited by sef 2004-08-25 12:23][/span]

I've had a betta with wcmm's, another with harlequin rasboras, both times with cories in the bottom. Never has an issue with it.

I currently have a 10 gal tank with divider for two of my male Bettas... A splendid Crowntail (still un-named because I can't think of a good enough name for his stunning presentation) and Powder (a powder blue and red Splendens)... There haven't been any problems with either of them.... The only suggestion I would make is that you choose your divider carefully! I wasn't satisfied with one of those "flimsy" dividers which can be purchased... Didn't feel the holes allowed enough water circulation, and found the plastic to be quite flimsy.... Ended up buying a large piece of plastic canvas used for needlepoint and my husband then made a divider.... OOPS! Almost forgot one mishap that we had initially! --- After preparing the tank and then placing the Bettas in the tank, we quickly learned NOT TO FILL THE TANK COMPLETELY WITH WATER TO THE TOP OF THE DIVIDER BECAUSE BETTAS CAN JUMP!!!!! Powder quickly showed us the error of our ways by jumping over to the Crowntail's side of the tank! Needless to say, we quickly removed him AND reduced the water level --- No one suffered any fin damage, and all is well now!
While I wouldn't want a quantity of divided tanks, I do find my one 10 gal - with just the two Bettas quite attractive!
I'm sure you will find a difference of opinion on this site when it comes to the divider itself ---- Some prefer it have holes while others prefer solid dividers... The opinions are based upon the fact that too much flaring isn't really healthy for the males due to the high stress levels which result and the other opinion is a result of concern over water circulation.... It's kind of weird, but the only time my males have long periods of flaring is when the light is kept on ---- When it's off, (even in room light) they settle down....
I wish you good luck and many hours of enjoying your fish!

[span class="edited"][Edited by dreamweaver8891 2004-08-25 17:34][/span]

To thine own self be true...

Thanks! You have given me some good information. My other thought is that I *may* just use this as a dwarf gourami tank, but I need to research this first. I have seen mixed information that says dwarf males and females can be housed together; another source said no. Some said 10 gallons is fine for a few...another said they need more space.

I'm awfully partial to bettas, but after a very painful loss last week (our oldest died; we were extremely attached to him), I'm not sure I want to go that route again. Not that I wouldn't be upset to lose any other fish, but...well...you know how special bettas are.

Thanks again!
sef

Im not sure how a male would do but i have a female betta in with some neon tetras and a bn and they all get on fine.

All 3 options would work.
#1 it would give them some thing to do and after awile thay will get borde of it.
#2 will work well
#3 will work but be carfull not to put nippy fish or fish with long finns as he mite think thay are other male bettas


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