Can a male and female beta fish share a tank?

Question

I have a regular male beta fish who is quite large. He has been living in a two gallon tank by himself for awhile and is maybe 3 inches long. I'm not sure exactly how big but he is more than twice the size he was when I purchased hm.

Today I was at the store and they were selling female beta fish and crowntail male beta fish. I put the crowntail in the small tank that I first got for my orrignal beta fish because I know they cannot be in the same tank. the crowntail is about half the size of my other beta.

the female that I got is much smaller. about half the size of the crowntail.. so I guess she is a quarter of the size of my male. I know you cannot put two males together, but can I put the female n with one of the males.

I put it in with my largest because it has the most room in the tank, but he proceded to chase her. so I took her out. I do not want to switch tanks for the males, because of the size of my one.

Can I put the male and female together?

Should I wait until the female is bigger to put her with a male?

Should I put her with the smaller crowntail beta or with the larger male beta?

Should I get a second larger tank for the others if I can put them together?

The big guy really likes the lightbulb and flake food...

Answer 1

Males and females can ONLY be together for a short time during spawning. If the female is not ready to spawn the male will kill her..or the female will kick butt and kill the male. If they spawn, The male will kill her if she is not removed, b/c he will be protecting his nest. Betta breeding is VERY challenging and should NEVER be attempted by a beginner! Male and females, NO!

Remember, research a fish b4 buying it!! Ppl need to research compadability and ph that each fish needs b4 putting them together.