Sororities: Can Female Betta Fish Live Together?

Female betta fish can live in the same tank in groups called “sororities.”

Unlike highly territorial males, females are less prone to aggression. Most females can get along in sorority tanks with plenty of space and hiding spots.

Sorority tanks are difficult to care for and unsuitable for beginner hobbyists. Injury and death are common when hobbyists don’t use the proper precautions.

Some betta-keepers dislike sororities. They are against the stress they can cause and their high failure rate. There is merit to that argument.

Those wishing to set up a sorority must ensure they do it right. Providing the right environment for a sorority reduces stress. It ensures the fish can live happy lives.

Can Female Betta Fish Live Together?

Female betta fish can live together, though success takes much care and understanding.

Female bettas must live in groups of five or more to reduce aggression.

Females are territorial, strong-willed, and feisty. Even so, they remain far less aggressive than male bettas.

Can Two Female Bettas Live Together?

Two female bettas should not live together. The more dominant female will target the weaker one. The aggressor is likely to injure, or even kill, the more passive betta.

Betta sororities should always comprise five or more females.

What Are Betta Sororities?

A betta “sorority” is the term used for a group of female bettas living together in the same tank.

Betta sororities take a lot of work because, if done wrong, they can result in injury and death. Only those with prior betta-keeping experience should attempt to keep a betta sorority.

Are There Male Sororities?

Male betta sororities do not exist.

The term “sorority” refers to a social society of females at a college or university. The term has crossed over to fish, though it does not apply to males.

A male betta version of a sorority cannot exist because they are too aggressive. Male bettas can never live together under any circumstances.

The Benefits Of Sororities

The main benefit of a betta sorority is the ability to keep several bettas in the same tank.

Bettas are wildly popular due to their vibrant colors. Most new fish keepers are disappointed to learn they can’t place two male bettas in the same tank.

A sorority seems like the next best option.

While females are duller, they can still be colorful. They also have the same quirky personalities as male bettas.

Keeping a betta sorority is cheaper than housing several bettas in individual tanks. Hobbyists would need to buy heaters and filters for each separate tank.

Some hobbyists also like the challenges of maintaining a betta sorority.

The Downsides Of Sororities

Several downsides come with sororities due to their difficulty in care. Creating an ideal environment is time-consuming and expensive.

Failure to make a good environment results in constant stress and fighting. Injuries take place, and smaller, weaker bettas may die.

Stress

The primary concern of betta sororities is the stress they can place on female bettas.

Female bettas are not as aggressive as males, though they are territorial. Females do not like other bettas in their space. Constantly seeing other females can cause them stress.

Female bettas are less likely to attack one another than males.

They can still be stressed even if they aren’t hurting each other. Frequent hiding is a common sign of consistent stress.

Constant stress is most common with too-small tanks and a lack of vegetation.

Fighting & Injury

Heightened stress can cause female bettas to attack one another. They usually do this when they feel there is a threat to their territory.

Female bettas often inflict worse wounds than males. Their short fins allow them to attack quickly. Bettas in sororities often have torn fins, ulcers, and sores.

While most females are reasonably passive, some can be as aggressive as males. More dominant females often target smaller, weaker females that they wish to weed out.

Death

Death can happen in sorority tanks if a betta becomes too injured. A particularly aggressive female may kill every betta in the tank.

It Can Be Expensive

Keeping a sorority tank is far more expensive than keeping a single betta or even a community tank.

Community tanks comprise peaceful or semi-peaceful fish that get along. The decorations are not usually as crucial.

Owners of sorority tanks must spend a lot of money on decorations to keep the tank stocked.

Abundant hiding places must exist for each betta to have her own space. A forest of plants usually makes up the vast majority of the area in a sorority tank.

Medication and food costs more since hobbyists are buying for several fish.

Owners should keep an extra tank or two on hand in case they must separate an extremely aggressive betta.

Highly aggressive females must live alone indefinitely. The hobbyist is then stuck caring for a single female betta plus their sorority tank.

It Takes A Lot More Time

Caring for a sorority tank takes more time than caring for a single betta or a typical community tank.

Owners must set up the tank to ensure plenty of hiding spaces. They may have to rearrange the tank if the bettas are still experiencing stress.

Hobbyists will likely spend more time treating injuries if the females don’t get along.

A large sorority tank will take longer to clean than a single betta in a five-gallon aquarium.

Are Betta Sororities Bad?

Some hobbyists are completely against keeping sororities. They argue that, even after creating an ideal environment, the bettas remain stressed.

They have some good arguments about why sororities aren’t ideal:

• Submissive behavior can still be stressful, even if the fish aren’t fighting
• Stress stripes are not always visible on darker-colored fish
• Illness spreads faster amongst stressed fish and can wipe out entire tanks
• Injuries and death may occur

Sororities are definitely controversial in the fish-keeping hobby.

They can be successful with the right amount of space and vegetation. Many hobbyists maintain beautiful and spacious sorority tanks.

Unfortunately, they also have a high failure rate.

Hobbyists must know what steps to follow to create a sorority if they want it to be successful.

How To Have A Successful Sorority

Many things go into starting and maintaining a successful sorority.

Hobbyists can’t simply toss some female bettas into a tank. They must be cautious about which females to choose and how they introduce them.

Selecting a tank large enough to accommodate all the bettas is essential. Each betta should have enough space to create her own territory.

Buy Females From The Same Family

It’s best to buy bettas from a reputable breeder when putting together a sorority. Hobbyists can usually buy siblings from breeders who have grown up together. Buying siblings greatly reduces the risk of aggression.

Buying siblings is rarely possible in pet stores. We recommend steering clear of pet stores when buying females for a sorority tank.

Those that choose to buy from a pet store can increase their chances of getting bettas that will get along.

Choose females that are sitting next to each other in the store. They have likely been sitting next to each other for at least a few days and have had time to get to know each other. They will be less likely to be aggressive when living together.

Choose Young Females

Try to choose young females that are all similar ages. Young bettas are less territorial than older ones. They will get accustomed to each other more quickly.

They will then grow into adulthood together in the sorority. As adults, these bettas will be unlikely to attack each other.

Ensure The Fish Are Really Females

Check for the “egg spot” and other female characteristics before choosing bettas.

Some young male bettas, especially koi bettas, resemble females. Mistakenly adding a male to a sorority tank can quickly result in one or more females’ death.

Choose Various Colors

Many hobbyists recommend choosing bettas that all look different. Sororities seem to be more peaceful when each betta is a different color.

They likely see each other as less of a threat if they don’t share the same colors.

Observe The Bettas’ Personalities

Observe the personality of each betta before bringing them home if possible.

Choose Females With Similar Personalities

Ideally, hobbyists will want to select females that all have similar personalities.

Don’t place a single peaceful betta in a tank full of feistier females. The more assertive bettas are likely to gang up on the lone peaceful betta, which often ends in death.

Avoid Overly Aggressive Females

Avoid females that show overly aggressive and dominant behavior. They shouldn’t be straining at the side of their container, trying to get to the betta beside them. Excessive flaring is also a bad sign.

A highly dominant female will likely attack the other females once they are in the tank together. An aggressive female may manage to kill all the other bettas in the aquarium.

Remove her from the tank if she violently attacks her tank mates in a short amount of time. She will need to live in a separate tank for the duration of her life.

Other aggressive females may display less violent aggression. They may cause less injury in a single attack. Over time, the minor injuries they cause can become more severe.

Their constant aggression also causes stress among the other inhabitants.

Remove her if she displays persistent aggression for over a week or two.

Choose Bettas That Are More Docile

Choose primarily peaceful bettas with enough spunk to stand up for themselves.

Keep Groups Of 5+ Bettas

Keeping at least five bettas in a sorority tank lessons aggression.

The more bettas in the tank, the less aggression there seems to be, as long as ample room exists for each.

The more dominant bettas will likely gang up on the weakest link when living in smaller groups.

Introducing Females

After choosing the bettas, owners must introduce them correctly.

Tossing them in together when unfamiliar with each will encourage fighting and injury.

Wait To Put Them In The Aquarium

Wait to place the bettas into their new home for a day or two so they can become familiar with each other.

Bettas bought from a pet store usually come in small plastic containers. Sit these containers next to each other so the bettas can see one another. They will get used to each other over the next day or two and are far less likely to be aggressive when added to the tank.

Bettas shipped from breeders usually come in small plastic bags. Hobbyists will need to open the bags as they don’t have much oxygen. Place the bettas in small, clean containers with fresh water.

Use Dividers (Optional)

After a few days of living close by, the bettas may still be aggressive toward each other. Hobbyists can add dividers to their tank for a lengthier introduction period.

Place each betta into her own space within the home tank, separated from the others by the divider. Clear dividers allow the bettas to see and interact with one another without the risk of injury.

Remove the dividers after a few days once the aggression has subsided.

Add Bettas To The Aquarium Together

After a day or two, add ALL the bettas to their home tank simultaneously. Adding them simultaneously allows them to explore the tank and establish territories.

The bettas may flare and pick at each other when first meeting. Such behavior is normal and should go away after a day or two.

Be prepared to move any overly aggressive bettas to a tank of their own.

A Large Tank Is A “Must”

A large tank is the key to a successful sorority.

Too many inexperienced hobbyists try to assemble a sorority with a too-small tank.

Female bettas that don’t have enough space live in constant stress. They are more likely to attack one another.

Many sources recommend having at least 20 gallons for five female bettas. We recommend having at least 30 gallons to give each betta extra room to prevent stress.

Hobbyists should add three to five gallons for each extra betta they want to keep in their sorority.

Provide Many Hiding Spots

A large tank isn’t enough to keep a sorority happy; they need lots of hiding spaces.

Ideally, there should be enough shelter that the bettas cannot see one another.

Caves, rocks, driftwood, and other hiding places are necessary for the bettas to shelter in.

An abundance of vegetation is needed. Plants break up the open space, separate territories, and give the bettas room to explore.

Anubias, java moss, anacharis, and wisteria are some of the best plants. Anubias have large leaves for bettas to rest on. Java moss, anacharis, and wisteria are thick and provide cover.

Empty Aquariums Are Bad

Fighting is far more likely if the aquarium is open and empty. Female bettas do not like seeing each other.

A lack of vegetation prevents bettas from claiming territory. Bettas have increased stress and aggression without a territory to claim their own.

A sparse tank is likely to cause boredom. Bettas are intelligent fish that need much mental stimulation. A bored betta often becomes aggressive.

Ensure Everyone Eats

Ensure that each betta gets enough food during feeding time.

More dominant bettas are likely to try and drive submissive females away from the food.

Try sprinkling a bit of food over the surface of the tank. The bettas will have to spread out to eat, ensuring everyone gets enough.

Another option is to place each betta in a net or breeding container.

Place these items at the water’s surface, submerged so the fish can breathe. Feed each betta separately inside the container or net.

Doing this isn’t ideal as it’s time-consuming and stressful for the bettas.

Heaters & Filters

Providing a filter and heater for a sorority is essential for the health of the bettas.

Filters help keep the aquarium clean. A filter becomes more critical with more fish living in the tank.

Heaters are vital because bettas are tropical fish that need temperatures between 75-81°F (23.9-27.2°C). Without a heater, bettas become too cold. Cold water lowers their immune system and leads to sickness.

Why Many Sororities Fail

Most sororities fail because hobbyists don’t follow the guidelines outlined above.

The primary downfall is not providing enough vegetation and hiding spaces. The fish must be able to avoid each other.

Another common failure is choosing bettas with differing personalities and ages.

Sororities & Community Fish

One good thing about sororities is that they combine nicely with community fish.

Like males, female bettas do well with community fish with short fins and dull colors.

Avoid placing them with fish that have bright colors or long fins. Those kinds of fish resemble bettas, and the bettas may feel they are a threat.

We recommend having at least 50 gallons for a combined sorority and community tank. A 50-gallon tank will offer enough room for five bettas and a shoal of about ten small community fish.

Some ideal fish to keep with a betta sorority include:

• Corydoras
• Harlequin rasboras
• Tetras
• Zebra danios

Keeping A Sorority VS A Single Male Or Female Betta

	Benefits	Drawbacks
Single Female/Male	Easier to care for Cheaper Less stress Safer Less time-consuming Takes up less space	Less color
Sorority	Able to keep several bettas Adds more color to the tank Observe multiple personalities	Can be stressful for fish Fighting is common Death possible Expensive Time-consuming

FAQs

Can Male & Female Betta Fish Live Together?

Male and female betta fish should not live together, as they are aggressive with each other. Male bettas do not tolerate other bettas in their area and will attack females.

The only time males and females should be together is during breeding. Their housing situation is temporary. The hobbyist must watch them closely for aggression.

Females may sometimes kill the male. Their short fins allow them to attack more quickly.

What Is The Difference Between Male & Female Betta Fish?

Telling males and female bettas apart is generally easy. Most types of male bettas have longer fins than females who have short fins.

The males have longer, thinner bodies, while the females are shorter and broader.

Males have a “beard” that is present even when they are not flaring their gills. They also tend to be more colorful.

Females have a white “egg spot” near their anal fin, where they deposit their eggs. They also tend to be far less aggressive than males.

How Big Do Female Bettas Get?

Female bettas grow to about the same size as males, 2-3 in (5.1-7.6 cm).

How Do You Breed Betta Fish?

Breeding betta fish takes care and patience.

Males and females do not tolerate each other unless they’re ready to breed. Breeders should introduce their breeding pair a few days before mating. Keep them in separate tanks where they can see each other.

A male that wants to breed creates a bubble nest in preparation for the eggs. A female ready to breed develops vertical “breeding” stripes down her body.

During breeding, the female becomes very still as the male squeezes the eggs from her body.