Topic: optimum tank size

[supersixone]

what size tanks do you all keep your bettas in? right now my 32 are all in 2.5 gallons or larger with the exception of 2 orange plakat females, who are in temporary 1 gallon homes instead of the 20 gallon sorority because they are being conditioned for breeding. i've long refused to use anything smaller than 2.5 gallons for my bettas, but the girls actually seem quite fine in the 1 gallons. i have a couple of boys that have remained small despite my efforts at fattening them up and they're not particularly active. i wonder if they would be okay, or even more comfortable, in a 1 gallon tank? (assume the bowl will stay warm enough unheated). what have all your experiences been? i have 4 more betta splendens arriving this week plus a pair of betta smaagdina. i can make room for everyone to have a 2.5 or larger, but i've been curious about the tank size issue for a while now.

[Squeek]

I have found that anything smaller than a 2.5 would need more maintenance.  I have housed my male and female bettas in tanks ranging 1 gal to 10 gal, and they *do* seem alot more active and happier to be in the larger tanks...I've always prefered the minimum of 2gal..but thats just me.

They will be fine in a 1gal..you might have to do more regular maintenace on the tanks, though.  Congrats on your recent purchases!

[skyebloo]

I have all my bettas (only 4) in 1 gallon bowls. They seem quite happy in their bowls...and they love to move around their little plants

[supersixone]

I have found that anything smaller than a 2.5 would need more maintenance.  I have housed my male and female bettas in tanks ranging 1 gal to 10 gal, and they *do* seem alot more active and happier to be in the larger tanks...I've always prefered the minimum of 2gal..but thats just me.

i maintain my tanks at least weekly anyway, so it shouldn't be much more work.  overall i've found larger tanks better for activity and growth but i have a couple of couch potato bettas who hang out in the same small area of their tanks all the time.  i think i'm going to test those out in a 1 gallon or 1.5 gallon and see if it makes a difference in their activity level.  i know some of my boys would just go insane in a 1 gallon.

[Indy17]

I am fairly new to this, but I will add my 2 cents.  I have one in a 5 gallon by himself, and another in a ten gallon by himself! I couldn't believe how much richer the color, and more healthy they all looked after being in there awhile.
I have 2 in a ten galon with a divider, and am getting another 10 set up to divide and put two more in.  I want to make sure they are free of any ailiments first....
I do have two more in a gallon bowl.  They make little bubble nests and seem happy too, though.
The ones in the divided tank look great. They get a lot of excercise having little stand offs in the one corner they can see each other in. The one in the ten looks great too, I might divide it, but hate to, he he always patroling 'his' property.
He is swimming around and flaring as I type this!
( dad gum, just missed another Magic Fish...... those little boogers are hard to catch!)
P.S. SuperSix - LOVE your Bettas!

[Butterfly]

All but 3 of my fish are in 2.5 and above. I haven't really noticed much of a difference to tell you the truth. Nanners is super active in his 1 gallon jar, and so is Penny and Emmy, but everyone else seems to be either just as active or as you put it - couch potatoes. Sometimes I'll come in and they'll all be lounging on a leaf.  

I do know, however, that if I get any more, I'll probably upgrade to 5 gallon cycled tanks (either devided or undevided). I just find a cycled tank is easier to clean and work with.

[supersixone]

just find a cycled tank is easier to clean and work with.

yeah, i generally do too. i'd throw everyone in 5 gal minibows if i had the space!

[ruthcatrin]

well, I hvae several in divided 10's, and i have several in 1g's.  I think it depends on the fish.  Pesronally i prefer a cycled tank, but the boys in the 1g's don't seem to mind!

modified to add:  I'm not sure I'd want to keep girls in a 1g except on a temp basis though, they seem to be much more active and wanting the space.

[firestar]

Interestingly, I have had the opposite experience from many people.  I keep my imbellis in a 2 gallon hex.  I also have a 5 gallon tank set up, and after the former occupant died, I tried putting my imbellis into the 5.  Maybe it was just becuase it was such a different environment then what he was used to, but he got nervous and jittery.  I put him back into his 2 gallon and he perked right up, right away.  He definitely recognised his home, and he clearly preferred it.

[supersixone]

well, i moved Pippin, a supertiny boy, into a gallon size drum bowl with his cushy mat of java moss.  he already seems more comfortable, oddly.  he was in a 3 gallon but always hung out in the same corner.  right now he is busy exploring his smaller residence.  maybe i can get him to settle in more and grow a little and then i can move him back into his old tank.  he sure does look happier now though