Is my Female Betta Fish afraid of its Tank Mate?

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coolman1

New member
I have 2 Female Betta Fish in a 5 1/2 Gallon Tank, I might add a 3rd one later. One fish is bigger than the other, and the smaller one seems to hide a lot and I'm wondering, is it hiding because it's afraid of the other fish?
I don't think it's sick because it is eating fine (I have to get the food down to where she is hiding) I haven't caught the bigger fish bullying the smaller one, it just swims where ever.
Also the person I talked to at Pet Smart yesterday said 2 would be fine.
Also the person I talked to at Pet Smart yesterday said 2 would be fine.
I also don't understand how it can go without breathing, I haven't seen it come up to the surface for air since it started hiding yesterday.
 
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samanthahah

New member
Female Bettas can live together. But they are still aggressive. If more than one lives together, you will notice a pecking order. That is why the smaller one is hiding. The larger one has been awarded dominancy. Its also a better idea to have at least four. In which case, you should upgrade to a 10 gallon tank with plenty of plants and other hiding places!

**Seriously, no offense, but I would never take a PetSmart associates word wholeheartdly. Its a big corporate pet shop that anyone can throw out whatever advice they want.
I went rat shopping and the guy pulled them out by the tail (a big no!) and gave me some real BS information. Fish too, they'll tell you that anything can live with anything and continue chatting with the girl from the dog department.
 
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samanthahah

New member
Female Bettas can live together. But they are still aggressive. If more than one lives together, you will notice a pecking order. That is why the smaller one is hiding. The larger one has been awarded dominancy. Its also a better idea to have at least four. In which case, you should upgrade to a 10 gallon tank with plenty of plants and other hiding places!

**Seriously, no offense, but I would never take a PetSmart associates word wholeheartdly. Its a big corporate pet shop that anyone can throw out whatever advice they want.
I went rat shopping and the guy pulled them out by the tail (a big no!) and gave me some real BS information. Fish too, they'll tell you that anything can live with anything and continue chatting with the girl from the dog department.
 
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