Betta Sorority

 

If you’ve been interested in aquariums for a time, you may have heard about the “Betta sorority.” Since female Betta fish are known to be less vicious than their male counterparts, many aquarists nonetheless recommend keeping several of them together. Continue reading to learn the unflattering reality about the idea of the Betta sorority.

Betta sorority: Ugly Facts

One of the largest and most persistent fallacies about Betta tankmates is that neon tetra and female betta sorority can exist.

A Betta sorority is the term used to describe this idea. Unfortunately, despite having a somewhat silly name, the Betta sorority engages in brutal behavior. In this day and age, when knowledge about rearing Betta fish is so easily accessible online, it shouldn’t be a thing, in our opinion.

Practically every major book on maintaining a “successful” Betta sorority instructs readers on how to attempt to prevent their Bettas from harming and killing one another. Maintaining a Betta sorority is not in the fish’s best interests if you have to explain it that way.

Please read articles on Betta tankmates if you’re interested in maintaining a Betta (male or female) alongside other fish, or try getting as much knowledge as possible before keeping one. Also, acknowledge the few aquarium fish species that are appropriate to keep with your Betta in an aquarium.

Betta sorority: A Big No

Bettas are anxious all the time. Many Betta sorority caretakers report that their fish hardly ever flare or engage in combat. Unfortunately, they are unaware that this type of submission is another manifestation of severe stress. Additionally, consider that some people can easily see horizontal stress stripes.

Don’t believe that the absence of stress stripes indicates that things are going well with betta's because they aren't in others because of their colors! For instance, yellow and white Bettas do not have stress stripes that may be seen, but blue and red Bettas do.

Illnesses and diseases spread more quickly. Fish that are kept in stressful environments suffer immune system damage. Ailments can soon spread in a Betta sorority and wipe out a whole fish tank. Groups frequently perish as a result of parasites that prey on weakfish.

Numerous additional warning indicators also exist, including clamped fins, fast heartbeat, darting, lack of hunger, and hiding.

There are many myths in the realm of domestic Betta keeping; as you would have guessed, this is sadly one of them. The fish not only suffer but you will as well. Is this the case? Can they coexist peacefully in female betta tank size as small as 10 gallons (38 L)?

As you can see, there are many reasons why attempting Betta sororities is a bad idea. Set up female Bettas in their tanks, just like you would with males, to give them a chance. After giving female Bettas the best opportunity to succeed, numerous accounts exist of people who fell in love with them.

Alternative

Considering maintaining a Betta sorority due to the members' attractive colors and vibrant, sassy behavior? Alternatives abound that won't cause you almost as much stress. Look at the articles on colorful fish and learn how to keep the fancy guppy, which is equally bright but much more mellow.