Why you shouldn't put two male Beta fish in the same tank

United States
February 10, 2009 7:33am CST
If you ever get a Beta fish never put the fish in the tank with another male. They will fight to the death. That's why you usually will see these fish alone in a bowl.
1 person likes this
3 responses
ElicBxn
@ElicBxn (63640)
• United States
10 Feb 09
before they were called Beta's in the "pre-political correctness" era - they were called Siamese Fighting Fish.
2 people like this
moneymommy
@moneymommy (3418)
• United States
10 Feb 09
Thats right! I forgot the name thanks for reminding me.
2 people like this
Tinkerbell7
@Tinkerbell7 (160)
• United States
10 Feb 09
Male bettas are VERY territorial. You CAN put them in the same tank depending on tank size and whether or not you have a divider. Its not safe though. They are ideally kept in separate tanks that are at LEAST 1 gallon. Too many people and stores keep their bettas in really tiny tanks. They will get sick and die a lot quicker than if you give them a bigger clean tank. They like some vegetation and low water movement. If you can get a filter that doesn't have many gpm then that is ideal. If not then you need to be doing biweekly water changes.
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moneymommy
@moneymommy (3418)
• United States
10 Feb 09
This is true. I hate seeing the poor bettas in those small tanks at the store. They do require a bigger tank.
1 person likes this
mimi602
@mimi602 (60)
• United States
12 Feb 09
My daughter killed about 3 bettas. We finally bought one that lasted a year. According to the shop owner a year is good for a betta, especially when you don't know how old it is when you bought it. We use to have two in a dividing tank and when you lift up the divide they flare at each other prepared for battle.