Betta sororities are all the rage on social media lately. If you’re not sure what a Betta sorority is, it’s basically a group of female Bettas living together in one tank. So, why have they become trendy all of a sudden?
Betta sororities have become popular for many reasons. Some people believe that Bettas are stress-free and have more fun when living in groups. Others simply like seeing their female Bettas with other Betta fish, something that doesn’t usually happen with a male Betta.
In this article, we’ll talk more about Betta sororities and their pros and cons!
What Is A Betta Sorority Tank?
Betta fish, or Betta splendens, are known for their vibrant colors and long fins. They are a popular choice for beginning and experienced aquarium enthusiasts alike.
While Bettas can be territorial, they can also be kept together in a peaceful community if they are given the right environment.
A Betta sorority tank is a tank that is home to multiple Betta fish, usually females. It’s typically larger than a standard Betta tank, and it includes plenty of hiding places and plants. The Bettas in a sorority tank will establish their own hierarchy, but they will generally get along well with each other.
This type of setup is a great way to enjoy the beauty of Betta fish while giving them the space they need to thrive.
Can More Than One Female Betta Fish Live Together?
Bettas are well known for their aggressiveness, which often leads owners to wonder whether multiple Bettas can live together peacefully.
The answer, as with most things in life, is that it depends.
In general, female Bettas are less aggressive than their male counterparts and are more likely to coexist peacefully with other fish.
However, there are a few things to consider before setting up a female Betta sorority tank.
Tank Size
The first factor to consider is tank size. Bettas need a lot of space to swim and explore, so a small tank is not ideal for housing multiple fish. Plus, since even female Betta can be aggressive, a larger tank will give them more room to avoid each other if necessary.
A good rule of thumb is to have at least 10 gallons of water for each Betta. So, if you want to keep a sorority of five Bettas, you’ll need a tank that is at least 50 gallons. This should give them enough space to roam around and get out of each other’s fins, so to speak.
Hiding Places
Another important factor to consider is the number of hiding places in the tank. Bettas, both male and female, are pretty shy fish. They’re also used to living in conditions where they may be plenty of places to hide from predators.
When you set up a Betta sorority tank, make sure there are plenty of places for the fish to hide. This could be in the form of live plants, rock caves, or even ceramic hiding places that you can find at your local pet store.
The more hiding places there are, the less likely the Bettas are to become stressed and start attacking each other. Additionally, providing plenty of hiding places will help your Bettas feel more secure in their new environment.
Betta Temperament
Of course, the most important factor to consider when setting up a Betta sorority is the temperament of the fish themselves.
As we mentioned before, female Bettas are typically more docile than males. However, there can still be a lot of variation in temperament from one fish to the next. Just like humans, Betta fish also have different personalities.
Some Bettas are simply more aggressive than others, and no amount of tank size or hiding places will change that. If you put an aggressive Betta in a tank with other fish, there’s a good chance she will start attacking them.
On the other hand, some Bettas are so shy that they may not do well in a sorority tank either. These fish may spend all their time hiding and may not come out to eat or explore their new environment.
The best way to find out whether a Betta is suitable for a sorority tank is to observe their behavior. If they seem relatively calm and docile, they may do well in a sorority tank. However, if they are constantly flaring their fins and chasing other fish, it’s best to put the aggressive female in a tank by themselves.
Can Male Betta Fish Be Added To A Betta Sorority Tank?
Betta sorority tanks are typically populated by female Bettas.
However, there is debate among Betta experts as to whether male Bettas, or even one male Betta, can be safely added to such a tank.
While it’s true that Bettas are territorial fish, many experts believe that males and females can coexist peacefully in the same tank if there is plenty of hiding places and plants for the Bettas to claim as their own. However, others caution that adding a male Betta to a sorority tank can be stressful for the fish and lead to aggression and fighting.
There’s also the added problem of putting a female and male Betta together: accidental breeding. Bettas will spawn if given the chance to spawn. Even if you put just one male in the tank, if a female happens to be fertile, the male will most likely try to breed with her.
For Betta breeders, this may not be too much of an issue, but if you just want to enjoy the aquarium hobby by keeping a Betta fish sorority, this may be too much of a responsibility.
Ultimately, it’s up to the owner to decide whether or not to add a male Betta to their sorority tank.
If you do decide to add a male Betta to your sorority tank, it’s important to choose a fish that has a calm and docile personality. Additionally, you’ll need to make sure the tank is large enough and has plenty of hiding places to accommodate all the fish without any fin nipping or torn fins.
Pros & Cons Of Owning A Betta Sorority Tank
Owning a Betta sorority tank can be a rewarding experience. These tanks are typically filled with colorful and vibrant fish that are fun to watch. That said, as with everything else in life, there are also pros and cons to owning a Betta sorority tank.
Pros
- Gives you the chance to house multiple Betta fish together
- Can be a beautiful and colorful addition to your home
- Relatively easy to care for and don’t require a lot of maintenance
Cons
- Bettas can be aggressive, and adding more fish to the tank can increase the risk of aggression and fighting
- Can be very expensive to set up
- Can be difficult to ensure that every fish eats properly
How To Introduce Female Betta Fish To One Another
It can be tricky to set up a Betta sorority fish tank for the first time. One of the most difficult parts is introducing the female Betta fish to each other.
If you simply put all the fish in the tank at once, there’s a good chance that they will start fighting. To avoid this, it’s best to slowly introduce the fish to each other over the course of a few days.
Here’s how to do it:
- Start by adding just one fish to the tank. Allow her to adjust to her new surroundings for a few days.
- After a few days, add another fish to the tank. Again, allow her to adjust to her new surroundings for a few days.
- Continue adding fish to the tank one at a time until all the fish are in the tank.
By slowly introducing the fish to each other, you’ll give them a chance to get used to each other’s presence and smell. This will help reduce the risk of aggression and fighting.
How To Set Up A Successful Betta Sorority Tank
Interested in setting up your own Betta sorority? There are a few things you’ll need to do to set up a successful Betta sorority tank.
Tank Size
As mentioned above, tank size is one of the most important factors when setting up a Betta sorority. Betta fish are relatively small, so you don’t need a huge tank to house them. However, they do need plenty of space to roam around your tank.
It’s best to have at least 10 gallons of water for every fish. So, if you’re planning on keeping 10 fish in your female Betta fish sororities, you’ll need a minimum tank size of 100 gallons. Some can get away with a 50-gallon tank, but we don’t recommend this as it can lead to a lot of nipped fins.
Of course, the larger the tank, the better. If you have the space and budget for it, we definitely suggest that you go with a larger tank. Not only will the fish have more room to swim around, but it will also make it easier to maintain water quality.
Filter
It’s important to maintain good water quality in your Betta sorority tank. Bettas are very sensitive to changes in water quality, so even a small change can be detrimental to their health.
One of the best ways to maintain good water quality is to install a filter in your Betta tank. Filters help remove harmful toxins and bacteria from the water, which keeps the water clean and safe for the fish.
There are plenty of different filters that you can choose from, but we recommend using a canister filter for Betta sorority tanks. Canister filters are more powerful than other types of filters and do a great job of keeping the water clean. You can also go with other filters, provided that they can handle the job.
Here are some of the best filters for 30-60 gallon Betta sororities on the market right now:
Heater
Another important factor to consider when setting up your Betta sorority tank is the water temperature. Bettas are tropical fish, which means they prefer warm water. The ideal water temperature for Bettas is between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
In order to maintain the correct water temperature, you’ll need to install a heater in your tank. Heaters are relatively cheap and easy to use, so you should have no problems setting it up in your Betta tank.
Some of the most popular heaters today include:
There are also a couple of ways to warm up the tank without a heater, so be sure to check that out.
Substrate
The substrate is the material that lines the bottom of the tank.
Substrate is rarely talked about when it comes to Betta fish tanks. However, it’s actually an important factor to consider when setting up your tank.
There are many different types of substrates that you can choose from, but we recommend using gravel or sand. These materials are relatively cheap and easy to find, and they do a great job of holding onto water and waste.
You can also choose a special aquarium substrate, such as ADA Amazonia 2 and Seachem Fluorite Black or Red. These are designed specifically for aquariums. They tend to be more expensive than regular gravel or sand, but if you’re planning to add live plants to your tank, you can’t go wrong with them.
Of course, there are other substrates that you can choose from, so feel free to experiment. Just make sure that the substrate you choose is safe for Betta fish and won’t harm them in any way.
Lighting
Bettas don’t require special lighting, but you may want to add some to your tank for aesthetic purposes.
Although LED lights are more popular and common nowadays, there is still some merit to using fluorescent lights. Not only do they provide light for your sorority tank, but they also emit a little heat, which your Bettas will certainly appreciate. The only downside is that they tend to consume more power than the more efficient LEDs.
Some of the best aquarium lights that you can buy today include:
Hiding Spots
Betta fish, as we mentioned previously, need plenty of hiding spots in their tanks. Hiding spots provide them with a place to rest and feel safe from predators.
There are many different types of hiding spots that you can choose from, but we recommend using plants. In addition to serving as hiding spots, they also mimic the fish’s natural environment. If they’re live plants, they even add oxygen to the water. Plus, Bettas can dart in and out of plants as a form of entertainment.
Aside from plants, you can also put resin or ceramic structures in your Betta tank, maybe a few caves. These provide the fish with a place to hide and feel safe. Just make sure that the caves are big enough for the fish to swim through easily.
Plants
Again, plants are a great addition to any Betta tank, not just Betta sororities. They add oxygen to the tank, make the tank look more natural, and provide the fish with plenty of places to hide.
If you’re planning to add plants to your Betta sorority tank, we recommend getting live plants. Live plants are much easier to care for than artificial plants, and they offer a lot of benefits that artificial plants don’t.
Some of the best live plants for Betta tanks include the following:
- Anubias
- Bacopa
- Java Fern
- Ludwigia
- Moneywort
- Water Wisteria
If you don’t think you can handle live plants in your aquarium, be sure to choose silk plants and not plastic plants. Plastic plants can actually harm your Betta’s fragile fins.
Water
Another thing to keep in mind is the hardness of the water. Betta fish prefer soft water, so you’ll need to use a water conditioner to soften the water before adding it to the tank.
You can also use reverse osmosis (RO) filters to remove impurities from the water and make it safe for your fish. RO filters are a bit more expensive than water conditioners, but they’re definitely worth the investment if you want to provide your Bettas with the best possible environment.
Betta Sorority Tank Mates
Now that you know how to set up a Betta sorority tank, it’s time to talk about who you can put in it.
Bettas are relatively peaceful fish, but they can be aggressive towards each other, especially when they’re not getting along. As such, you’ll need to be careful about which fish you add to the tank.
Luckily, there are a few safe choices. Make sure that they’re not fin-nippers, don’t require low water temperatures, and aren’t too big for the tank.
Some of the best Betta tank mates include the following:
Platies
Platies are a good option for Betta sorority tank mates because they’re relatively peaceful and don’t require special water conditions. They’re also a good size for Betta tanks, so they won’t overcrowd the tank.
Mollies
Like Platies, Mollies are relatively peaceful fish that do well in Betta tanks. They come in a variety of colors, so they can add some nice visuals to the tank. Just make sure to get female Mollies, as male Mollies can be quite aggressive. Additionally, they feel most comfortable in a group of at least 3-4 fish.
Tetras
Tetras are another good choice for Betta sorority tank mates, especially if you’re going for a long tank since they need horizontal real estate to be completely comfortable. As schooling fish, they do best in groups of at least 5.
There are also various types of Tetras, such as Ember Tetras and Neon Tetras. They’re fast swimmers and can be a good contrast to the super gentle-moving Bettas.
Harlequin Rasboras
Harlequin Rasboras are a good choice for Betta sorority tank mates because just like the others, they’re also small, peaceful, and don’t require special water conditions. They’re schooling fish, though, so they do best in groups of 6 or more.
Corydoras Catfish
Corydoras catfish are a good choice for Betta tanks because they help keep the tank clean.
Since they dwell mainly on the bottom of the tank, they likely won’t bother your Bettas much. They’re also relatively peaceful, although they can be nippy if they’re not getting along. Try to get around 6 of them to prevent them from getting stressed out.
Kuhli Loaches
Kuhli Loaches are another good choice for Betta tanks. They’re peaceful, have similar water parameters to Bettas, and they can also help keep the tank clean. Just make sure not to get too many of them, as they can be quite active and might overcrowd the tank. 3-6 should be enough to make them feel most comfortable.
Shrimps
Shrimps are a great addition to any tank, especially Betta sororities. Most fish keepers prefer ghost shrimp to other types because they’re less likely to be noticed by Bettas.
Regardless of the shrimp variety you pick, however, you need to have plenty of hiding places for them. Bettas don’t typically pick on shrimps, but occasionally, you may come across a Betta who munches on shrimps when they’re bored. Having hiding places for your shrimps can avoid this.
Snails
Snails are almost an aquarium staple. They eat algae, clean up leftover food, and most importantly, get along with pretty much any other tank mate.
The most common snail varieties include the following:
- Nerite snails. One of the best choices since they don’t multiply as quickly as other snail varieties. They’re also relatively small, so they won’t overcrowd the tank.
- Mystery snails. These are a good choice if you want something that’s a little bigger. They also come in a variety of colors and fun swirl patterns.
- Malaysian Trumpet snails. These are one of the larger snail varieties, so they’re not ideal if you have a small tank.
Conclusion
If you love Bettas, setting up a Betta fish sorority tank can be a fun way to have more of them.
Just make sure you keep in mind the size of your tank, the number of female Betta fish you want in the sorority, and how much work you want to put into it. That way, you can have a fun and rewarding experience!
Recommended Reading:
- Are Two Bettas Able To Safely Live In The Same Aquarium?
- Proper Ways To Transfer Betta Fish To A New Tank
- Does Your Female Betta Fish Appear To Be Larger Than Usual? It May Be Pregnant!
- What Do Betta Eggs Look Like? All You Need To Know
- How To Achieve The Optimal Temperature Range For Betta Fish
