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Hey all, i was wondering what, if any buddys could i put in with my male betta. He is in one of those 2 1/2 gallon plastic tanks. I think hes brobably lonely.

I would leave him on his own or maybe add a fine leafed plant.


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"He's probably lonely".... Are you thinking this way because he isn't very active? If so, try placing a mirror beside his tank periodically so that he can see his reflection - he will think it's another Betta male and will more than likely become more active - swimming and flaring... But notice, I did say PERIODICALLY... Leave the mirror there all of the time and he will more than likely get used to it - and thus, pay no attention to it after awhile...

Now if your 2 1/2 gal plastic tank came with a divider like my minibows did... you can use the divider and have 2 Betta males in the tank... In my experience, the best Bettas to house this way are Crowntails.. I've tried both HM and Crowntails.. With the HMs I encountered ripped fins - perhaps due to getting to close to the divider and/or because whenever their finnage was close to the divider some of it would "seep" through to the other side and that male would "attack"... My Crowntails don't seem to get that close to the divider - although I'm not sure why they don't... But in general, all of my 18 Crowntail males have maintained a safe distance and NONE have ever ripped their fins! Even my HM CT males.... But again, because the boys can see each other all of the time, they soon become accustomed to one another.. Although they do indulge in flaring - my experience is that for the most part it's around the time I feed them.... Again, I'm not sure why... The rest of their time is spent in leisurely swimming and resting --- ignoring each other......

So there you have the extent of my knowledge... Mirror trick or divider...

Hope this helps!

Last edited by dreamweaver8891 at 24-Jul-2005 08:07

To thine own self be true...

Betta's really don't need company. Some people add a snail or an African Dwarf Frog, but it is not necessary. Your betta is fine by himself. In a two and a half gallon, I would not add any other fish.