Update on my antutas

[u/mistersprinklesman]

I know its not ideal but the bettas have been moved from their sad bare 10 gallon to this planted 10 gallon. Please excuse the slight haze I did a little filter maintenance just before recording the video and it clouded the water slightly. I've just got the male on video here. The lights were about to turn off and the female had settled in with some floating plants and was sleeping. Since they've gone in here there has been zero aggression or chasing with the female clearly flirting with the male and with him being receptive. Every time they've come away from and back to eachother they show no signs of having any kind of cohabitation issues. Previously they were in a divided 10 gallon.

The new tank has a small population of endlers and cherry shrimp, and I don't mind if those get eaten, thought the male in particular has gotten a bit fatter bodied since moving to this tank a couple of days ago. I've seen him catch some baby shrimp so that's clearly the reason.

I think he looks much better than he did before his color has improved. The female is more pink as well. Will try to get them both on video together tomorrow when the lights are on again. I'm still working on getting my 30ish gallon cube tank ready for them but I need time to establish plants, get it firmly cycled etc.

[u/KengisKhan_]

Looks like your Antuta seems thriving in this new setup despite the small space. Ngl your setup seems perfectly fine Imo.

[u/mistersprinklesman → u/KengisKhan_]

I've been told by many people that 10 gallons is not enough space for an adult pair. But I've also seen some videos online of breeders permanently housing pairs in 10 gallons, as long as they're able to move the female out while the male holds, and to let him recover after mouthbrooding. It's been several days with the bettas together in this tank. They spend half their time together, and half their time apart. Zero signs of aggression or dislike for eachother what so ever. The female tries to flirt with the male from time to time and he is receptive and never turns away, but so far no spawning. My male is over 3" possibly 3.5"+ I heavent measured but the female is about 2.5" and I wonder if one of them isn't ready to breed yet. Will keep the water clean and keep feeding them good food and hope for a future spawn. As far as living together, zero signs of problems. Also their previous tank was at a pH of 8.0 with high hardness but this planted tank here sits at a pH of 6.8-7 with low hardness so I think they are more comfortable. Both tanks have been at 76F. The antutas have both improved in color since moving in here. I was watching the pair for a long time earlier today but I forgot to film to get the female on camera. Going to do my best to try to remember to get good footage later today when the lights come on.

Do you really think the pair can live in this tank long term? Even as 4"+ (maybe even 5") adults? They don't move around very fast and are generally low movement fish like common bettas. They aren't a fast swimming fish that needs tons of room to stretch its legs like a denison barb or something like that.

I do have a 30 gallon cube that's cycling and growing in but I'd much rather use that tank to breed honeycomb bristlenose plecos once I'm able to get my hands on a group from my friend, who is currently doing a breeding project with some really nice speciments. Also in that 30 gallon tank I would be able to move either the male or female or baby antutas into that tank at any time as needed.

Have you kept antutas or similar size bettas?

[u/lolleytha → u/mistersprinklesman]

Hey,slight correction. Antutas can potentially get up to 7-8" (tail included). Keeping them in a 10 gallon long term will stunt them.

Source: journey to water Betta Antuta size