Bluebelle the Betta Fish

Question

Bluebelle the Betta fi   QUESTION: Dear Lynda,
I recently purchased a 10 gallon tank for my four female betta fish.  I set the tank up, added tank conditioner, and let it filter for approx 24 hours before I added the girls. I bought them all at approx. the same time, however, one had a small sore near her back fin and wasn't doing very well, so I put her in the tank early because I thought it might make her feel better. A few hours later, I added the other girls.  The next evening, I put in 1 tsp of Melafix aquarium pharmaceutical.  I thought it might help with the sore.  The sore seems to be doing better, but now her fins are really jagged and she wobbles when she swims. I've put her in a vase by herself for now, with clean water, tank conditioner and the Melafix. I'm worried my other betta fish are hurting her. Is there anything I can do to reunite her with the rest of the girls? Or is the pecking order permanently established? Thank you so much for your help!
Peace,
Meggie and Bluebelle the Betta fish

ANSWER: Hi Meggie,
Bettas are Bettas, whether male or female, they do not get along with each other.  I know that many people have different opinions on this, but it is my experience that says "one betta to a tank"  Sooner or later, there will be one who will dominate the other females, and when this happens, she will bite, and nip other females.  The strongest one, always wins!  This is their nature, and there is nothing you can do, but separate them to their own tank.  Keeping Bluebelle in a vase, is not a good idea, since bettas do need heated, and bigger tanks.  Five gallon heated tanks is what they should have.  In their habitat the betta's water may be shallow, but they have lots of room to swim.  When heating a tank, this must be done slowly, very slowly, one degree every two days.  Under 80 degree temperature, the betta is cold, and miserable, and will get sick.  They are very difficult to cure in small tanks, vases etc. and their lives are cut short.  
You cannot put Bluebelle back into the tank with the other bettas, they will eventually kill her.
I hope this will help, and that she will get well.  The picture is blurred a little, and I could not be sure if her fins are frayed, or split.  If they are, you will have to use an antibiotic such as  "Tetracycline"  Follow the directions on the package, and be careful not to overdose.
I would also like to mention that Melafix is too strong for Bettas, it can kill them.  If you use this medication, always use half dosage.
Keep me posted on how she is doing.
Lynda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Lynda,
Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly! Oh dear, I didn't know that about females. When I was researching Betta fish, one website said that it was okay to keep up to 4 females in a 10 gallon tank, which is why I bought it in the first place. Thank you also for the information on the Melafix! That is very important information! I'll remember that the next time I put it in her vase. She seems a little better in her vase (though I know that won't keep her healthy for long, I just wanted to get her away from the others.) I can maybe afford a new home for her in a few weeks. I'm not sure what course of action to take next. If it would be wise to separate the other females, should I start finding them new homes? I don't think I could keep so many tanks in my dorm room. I would miss them, they are such beautiful, charismatic fish. I want them to be as healthy and happy as possible though, so I would do it if necessary.  Thank you again, so much for the information.
Sincerely,
Meggie

Answer
Hi Meggie,
You are very welcome.  With bettas, it is always a throw of the dice.  The other three females may get along, I cannot guarantee this, it depends on their personalities, and each betta has a different personality.  Watch them closely, and if you see one chasing or nipping another, then you will have to remove her, or the others.  I hope that this will never happen, and that they will be all fine.  Don't worry about this for now, since they are doing okay.  I know that some people say they do get along, this is only my experience with bettas.  I have always had bettas, since I bred them, and love them.  We get so attached to them.  Feed them well, but be careful not to overfeed them.  Feed them 2-3 times a day, and vary their food as much as you can.  One betta should have 2 pellets, or 2 flakes for one meal.  Feed them each one cooked frozen pea a week with the outer layer removed, and cut into tiny pieces.  This is so they can clean out their system, and avoid Swim Bladder Disease to which they are prone.  Their tummy is the size of their eye, and we must always remember this when feeding them.  On the day you choose to feed them the pea, feed them nothing else for the rest of the day.
The little one in the vase may have been very weak compared to the others.  She must never go back into the tank with them as they will continue to pick on her.  When they get the upper hand, they never forget!  
You have given them a nice home, and I know you will treat them well.
Here is a list of food that bettas should have:
Betta Pellets...this is a very good food for them, especially made by Hikari.
Betta flakes
Plankton flakes
Daphnia...very important as it helps the betta with their digestive system.
Bloodworms...now, and then as a treat.
Glassworms
Mealworms
Frozen Brine Shrimp
I do not expect you to go out and buy all of these foods at once, but the more you vary, the healthier they will be.  Clean water, and good food go a long way in preventing disease.
I did not mean to scare you, and I'm sorry if I made you worry.  Some people have kept females together, and as I mentioned to you, it is only my experience.  
You should also add 2 diluted teaspoons of aquarium salt to their water.  This helps with stress, and parasites.  ( 1 teaspoon to 5 gallons of water)  Add some to the little one in the vase, it should help her.
Lynda