Betta Imbellis - 6.4 Gallon

[BlueBennett]

Hi,

I have a 6.4 gallon (24L) tank which houses 6 young Betta Imbellis. They are about 4-6 months old. There are lots of Java Fern plants, some Java Moss and some unidentified plants. They are very peaceful fish. There are three females and three males supposedly although because they are still young it is a little difficult to sex. Will this tank be sufficient for the 6 fully grown Betta Imbellis when they get older? They are very shy fish and prefer lots of plants, as it is I rarely see them and think that if I have to get a bigger tank I will probably never see them. I dont think they produce a great deal of waste and are fine at the moment in there by themselves, they wont be growing much bigger than what they are now so I just wanted to check if this will be ok. IMO they are fine as they dont produce that much waste but then I dont have that much experince and was hoping to get clarification.

Thanks in advance for any response.

 

[BlueBennett]

Anybody?

 

[NYCguppydude]

I Honestly think they will be fine in 6.5 gals. Maybe post a pic. to help judge whether you have enough plants? Otherwise sounds good to me.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I kept a trio of them in a heavily planted 10. They actually gave me a few surviving fry. I think you are right on the edge in terms of space and there would be little or no chance that eggs/fry would survive with that many fish in that small of a space.

 

[BlueBennett]

ok thanks will post one tonight.

 

[LeahK]

Hmmmm... 6.4 gallons seems cramped for six fish, no matter how small they are. Even with peaceful fish, aggression issues can arise when in cramped conditions.

Other websites say, of these bettas:

"Pairs can be housed in a 10 gallon tank, groups should be housed in a 30 gallon tank or larger." -- http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Betta&species=imbellis&id=14

"An 18" x 12" x 12"/45cm x 30cm x 30cm/42.5 litre tank could easily house a pair of these. Something in the region of 30" x 12" x 12"/76cm x 30cm x 30cm/70.8 litres would be required for a group." --http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Betta&species=imbellis&id=14

Is there any other reason why you don't want to upgrade to a bigger tank, other than concerns about not being able to see the fish?

 

[BlueBennett]

I kept a trio of them in a heavily planted 10. They actually gave me a few surviving fry. I think you are right on the edge in terms of space and there would be little or no chance that eggs/fry would survive with that many fish in that small of a space.

Ok, good to know. My intentions are to remove each pair for spawning when I think they are ready, having said that I did however notice a male showing good colouration and a female displaying the vertical bars. If as they say they are similar to breed as siamese fighters than I presume this would show their readiness to spawn.

I have a filter at the top corner and doubt they will even attempt to build bubble nests in the tank as there is sufficient movement at the top to deter them.

Since I will not be spawning them in that tank I guess then it is ok for the time being then, however I guess a ten gallon will probably be best in the long run and would be best suited to housing three mature males and females.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[BlueBennett]

Hmmmm... 6.4 gallons seems cramped for six fish, no matter how small they are. Even with peaceful fish, aggression issues can arise when in cramped conditions.

Other websites say, of these bettas:

"Pairs can be housed in a 10 gallon tank, groups should be housed in a 30 gallon tank or larger." --http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Betta&species=imbellis&id=14

"An 18" x 12" x 12"/45cm x 30cm x 30cm/42.5 litre tank could easily house a pair of these. Something in the region of 30" x 12" x 12"/76cm x 30cm x 30cm/70.8 litres would be required for a group." --http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Betta&species=imbellis&id=14

Is there any other reason why you don't want to upgrade to a bigger tank, other than concerns about not being able to see the fish?

That and the fact that they are still very tiny, they are still under an inch. I am willing to move them to a bigger tank when they are fully mature, I wasnt sure if fully grown if they would be ok, but judging from the information I will move them to a bigger tank probably in the next month or so.

thanks for that information.

 

[Death Pony]

Post pics!!! I want to see these beauties. They are on the larger side as bettas are concerned, so they will need bigger tanks.

 

[BlueBennett]

Here are some pics of the tank and one of a couple of females looking a little nervous and a male which is starting to show good colour.
There is also a large piece of bogwod present in the tank.

Sorry about the large pics.