Question about male Bettas

[dishmando]

K people, ive heard mixed opinions on this one, so im coming straight out and asking......

Can you place a male betta in a community tank setup?.....

Besides the fact you can only have 1 male in a tank, is it ok to do this?

My setup is as such, 3 ID's, 1 loach(soon to get a mate), 2 glass cats, 7 harlie rasboras, 2 gouramis, and 2 bumble bee gobies.
Its a 52 gallon flatback hex tank with a 2213 eheim, and a penguin 350 h.o.b.

anxiously awaiting.....

[Willyleigh]

Have a look in the Betta fish section and you will find that theanswer is a yes, although if I remember correctly the Gouramies may presnt a proble, just keep an eye on them to see if anything kicks off between them, as it is a big tank they may just ignore each other.

[greatalbu]

Hi, my male bettas are always great in community tanks, BUT
I have found that when I get my betta home I put him in a at least 3 gallon tank with circulating water by itself. Fellow fish may lead to STRESS.
I believe this helps build up its swimming strength. After all it is in a cup for who knows how long. STRESS
I've put betta from shop into my community tank directly, after climatizing, they did not fair well, they died. STRESS
My bettas spend about 3 months in the first tank by themselves. If this is too long I don't know. Minimum time I don't know. They have doubled their size.
I then place them in community tank. They are healthy eating well and growing when I do this. Make sure there is some floating plant, live or fake, or something floating that they can hide under and call their home.
Good Luck

[sergo]

i will say to be careful with the gouramis, they get territorial like bettas. bettas can't swim that fast so they can be susceptible to fin nippers. i do have a female betta in my 55 but she's pretty big for a female and pretty quick too. what type male betta is it?

[Rue]

I agree with the above posts...

...watch the gouramis...and get a floating plant...the hornwort is doing quite well in my tank...and the bettas seem to really like it...

[cocoa_pleco]

i had my male betta in my 20g ( not the toad one) and the betta was friendly but the platys picked on him. My gourami never gets harassed.

[cocoa_pleco]

My new betta in the 10g is GRUMPY. The people i just bought it off said the betta was peaceful, and if a kinfish gets close, the betta flips.

[dishmando]

Good to know gang.
My wife is kinda nervous about putting one in our tank. We'll see if i can change her mind on that because they are a beautiful fish to watch.

[sergo]

you could try a female betta. they are quicker and that means they'll have their fins for a lot longer.