Out of the Ordinary Ideas?

Blackfeet

Just had to let you know, it is possible to keep male and female bettas together and have them live peacefully. There are a couple tricks to it though. First thing stock the females first and leave them in there without the male until they figure out their hierarchy.
Caution when selecting female bettas there a lot of deseases fish out there. Quarantining I recommend and precautionary treatments might be worth the stress. Bring a flashlight and look at them from the top
Next find a non-aggresive male betta. Stop laughing they are out there, and I did not just describe an animal akin to a unicorn. This step takes some patience. It is best to find a store with a large selection. Put 2 males in their bowls next to each other and wait for them to flair which ever one doesn't is the one you keep and repeat until you are 100% sure this one is calm. I went through 42 male bettas to find the one I chose. If you don't have the luxury of a large selection and don't wish to chance (wise in a small tank) use a breeder net to keep them separate until he calms down and return him if he doesn't.
After I got mine home he flaired and chased the females a bit and the male guppies but not for a great distance. The females had already established their place in the tank and hierarchy. Every time the male went after the alpha female she would turn around and chase him all the way across the tank.
I have always kept male bettas in a community tanks and always with fancy tail guppies and mollies which has led to chasing periodically but nothing serious

NeedToKnow

I actually have a male betta right now in a bowl, so he's used to being alone, so I wouldn't put him in a tank with other fish.
Do you guys know of any good betta breeders? Maybe if I got a really cool looking betta, I could put him in with a couple guppies? If it's planted enough, that wouldn't be a problem, right? Honestly, I might just put in the betta and some decorations... Not entirely sure

Blackfeet

Like I said the betta will go after the guppies. It depends on the personality as to how much he will stalk them. If you want to put him in with other fish it is no longer about cool looking just compatibly

sidluckman

Okay so here's one: I keep trying to think of a way to execute a tank for wild betta species, sparkling gouramis, or killies. I envision it as a cutaway section of marsh. I want to use one of those rimless tanks, like a 17.4 gallon, in which I plant miniature papyrus right on the tank bottom. The tank operates while only half to three- quarters filled with water, and the papyrus grow out the top and are illuminated by a suspended halogen pendant. I feel that this tank would need to be drilled and the small overflow would be positioned centrally to conceal its presence. There would be a ten gallon sump below where heater,filter and return pump could be stashed, but the concept is to make it look "transparent" and as though there is no equipment. The fish aren't that unusual, it's just a presentational gimmick, however natural-looking, that is in part inspired by linear Asian floral design principles, in part by the deplorable (but visually effective) use of bettas as table decorations in which they are combined with botanicals and cut foliage in shallow glassware, BUT without short-changing the resident fish for lack of care essentials.

So now, go crazy! Tell me why it won't work, or better yet, somebody actually hatch this brain child, take pictures and win an upcoming photography contest!

Blackfeet

That sounds really cool. I would love to see it. My wife wants something "simple looking" for her office. Can you drill these acrylic tanks yourself or do they have to come that way?
One thought on your idea, the pendent light short changes your achieved look. What about a custom hood to match the stand but standing above the tank on stainless steel legs. The only thing to make it any better would be to use a floor outlet for your power and have it in the middle of the room standing directly over the outlet

NeedToKnow

I wasn't sure if the betta would go after the guppies, because I saw a video on YouTube with a betta and guppies.
I won't do that though. I think a dwarf puffer is what I will go with.
sidluckman, that sounds like an awesome idea.
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sidluckman

Thanks. I have great ideas, but lousy follow-through!

NeedToKnow

Haha I know exactly what you mean
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