Betta males and females

Hi,

as some of you know I have a male Betta, and today I purchased 3 femlaes to go in the community tank, I have read they are ok to go in with male, and in the LFS they were kept in a tank with a male and about 20 females.

I have put the two largest of the females in the tnak, but the male just chases them? will this calm down? or will he end up killing the females?

Thanks,

Size of tank? You might improve your chances by adding another female, but they really aren't compatible unless you give them lots of room (note that Betta behaviour can vary a lot by the individual).

the tank is a 20gal Hex tank.

Then you need to get the females out ASAP - I wouldn't recommend trying to put any females with males ( unless for breeding when the female is removed after spawning ) in a tank less than 3' in length and then it is down to the character of the individual fish. I have a gorgeous red/black crowntail male who has killed two females I tried to pair him up with.

Not really - it is ok for houing a single male or female but too small to breed. What tanks have you got for growing out young? Seperating males, conditioning the female? Space for the female when you move her out?

Do a google search on Betta breeding and you'll find lots of info.

You need to research needs before attemting breeding. There are filters that are suitable for Betta breeding. Your set up isn't suitable.

I don't breed bettas and never have, but I remember reading about this 30 or 35 years ago or whenever it was; so maybe what I write now is baloney. It was suggested that a male can be placed in one tank, and the female(s) in another tank right beside it, so that the fish can see each other through the glass. The female is introduced to the male only when the female is fat, filled with eggs. I think the other thing is that the male could be moved into the females tank, so it's her home turf and the male is the interloper, giving her an advantage over him (sort of).