Any fishkeeper would love to have a betta or two in their beloved tanks – their gorgeous colors easily light up any area and wow your visitors in a blink.
Unfortunately, there’s also another notorious fact: bettas and aggression go with each other pretty often. These fish fighting or even killing their tank mates is no longer an unfamiliar myth, discouraging many people from purchasing one.
Still, not all bettas share this fearful nature; the least aggressive betta fish DOES exist. Click to disclose more information about them!
Contents
What Is The Least Aggressive Betta Fish?
Betta Imbellis should be the first fish type that springs to your mind regarding this question. Commonly referred to as “Peaceful Betta,” Imbellis is widely recognized for calm and docile behaviors, especially when pitched against its more vicious sibling species.
Indeed, it’s rare to find a Betta with such a tame nature, which is why, unlike many other Bettas on the market, you can safely place Betta Imbellis among other friendly fish species without any hassles. Keeping them in pairs (or even numerous couples) within large aquariums are also considered safe!
Here comes another important inquiry: What is the reason behind their disdain for fighting?
Most experts attribute that to the Imbellis’s non-vibrant color and small sizes, which, when combined, strengthen their invisibility among other tank mates.
As a result, their aggressive behaviors are much more deterred, and they tend to hide their bodies from others.
You don’t often see these Imbellis get tense regarding territory dominance, either. In fact, the only time their striking colors are shown is when these fish decide to mate.
How To Take Care of Betta Imbellis
Imbellis might be the most peaceful bettas out there, but that doesn’t mean you should half-heart your attempts to take care of them. Here’s a quick overview of core aspects you should pay attention to while raising this fish:
Habitats, Tank Sizes, and Other Requirements
10-gallon aquariums should be appropriate for keeping these peaceful bettas (either as pairs or single). However, for more fish than that – about 4 or 5 more – you should increase the number to 30 gallons.
In terms of water parameters, you should be grateful that these fish are not too picky about that; given that the waters are clean, they should suffice. And both brackish and fresh water are acceptable, though the latter might still be a better choice in some cases.
Betta Imbellis is also quite flexible regarding the pH levels; you only need to keep them stable, and that’s enough. The same also goes with the water temperature, whose ranges are quite broad: from 71 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure there are no large and sudden fluctuations!
Another note about their living conditions: these bettas arrive from thickly-planted areas – a characteristic you should duplicate in their new aquarium.
Adding many plants around the region is one good idea, which gives the fish plenty of spots for hiding. Caves (premade or built from rocks) are even better, particularly for females that want to stay far from their moody/aggressive male partners.
Betta Imbellis falls under the “carnivorous” category, meaning they should be given as many meaty foods as possible.
Of course, flake foods or pellets are still fine, especially if they are captive-raised. Nevertheless, we strongly suggest you provide those premade meals with freeze-dried, frozen, or live foods. Examples include brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms.
Try to diversify the diet frequently; a variety of food types ensure your betta absorbs sufficient nutrients and vitamins, fostering a longer lifespan and brighter colors.
The last thing to note is not to feed them too much at once; a small quantity twice daily is ideal.
Breeding
Imbellis prefer using bubble nests for their breeding like most fishes.
Before it starts, the male one will set up this nest as close to the water surface as possible, relying on plants as anchors. Next, the female partner will lay the eggs and let her partner fertilize them.
Both fish then carry these eggs into the new nest, protecting them in bubbles. Ensure your aquarium is large enough to provide ample room for this process!
Once the eggs have been placed properly within the nest, it’s safe for you to remove the female from the tanks now and let her rest somewhere else. Meanwhile, her male partner continues to take care of the eggs till they hatch, which usually takes 1-2 days at best.
After another 3-4 days, these young bettas can now swim by themselves. You should transport the male Imbellis to other tanks now, which prevents these small fries from being accidentally eaten by their own dad.
Liquid food is recommended for the fry in the first week or so. After that, you may switch to microworms or baby shrimps.
FAQs
1. Is Imbellis NEVER Aggressive?
Of course not! Though much calmer than other bettas, these so-called “peaceful bettas” can also get aggressive.
Some cases of male and female partners getting into fights have been recorded, which sometimes lead to unwanted tragedies; after all, the male has more fins, which means faster swimming and allows the male to chase after a female with no difficulties.
Hence, you should keep a close eye on male-female pairs, particularly during the mating seasons. As already discussed above, providing big caves and plants in the tank is a nice idea, which offers the females safe places to deter their partner’s aggression for some time.
2. Can I Breed Imbellis With Splendens?
No. The rule of thumb is never to pair a peaceful betta with an aggressive one. Only keep Imbellis together.
Conclusion
This article has shed light on the Imbellis – known as the least aggressive betta fish to date. Though fights and abusive behaviors rarely happen, you should still keep our guides in mind to ensure no bloodshed occurs! If needed, feel free to reach us for more help.
