I have had my newest betta for about a month and I recently put him in a heavily planted 5.5 gallon tank with 3 otos. He keeps chasing them around and biting them and one has disappeared. I was wondering if you think it would be wise to put him in a different tank that only has two four inch dojo loaches or do you think he would pick on them too? I have no where else to put him. The dojo loach tank has a betta and some shrimp too, but I will possibly be moving them to the 5.5 gallon with the otos.

This particular guy sounds like he has a complex. You could try him with the loaches and watch, if he attacks them, move him to a small bowl or something similar till you can get a proper tank for him. I have a Betta that has coexisted peacefully with 2 oto 6 cardinal tetra 6 neon tetra and a bunch of shrimp. and he has yet to attack anything. they have different personalities just like we do. And some times they can be a little rough... when in doubt put him in a jar and change 25% of the water daily.

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When you pay that cash or swipe that card you are making a bond with that animal that you will treat it with love and respect, and its needs will be met, first and foremost (unless you have kids...) I don't care if you have to eat ramen noodles or nothing at all to feed your cat dog fish rat whatever. That's the bond you made! Life is precious!

I have Bettas with other fish for several years in large tanks (>10G) and have never had them harass other fish. Male Bettas can't move fast enough to harass other fish, females might be able to. A 5G tank is really too small for four fish, no one has any place to hide. Try to convert to at least a 10G and make sure you tank has plenty of plants for every one to hide in.

Sometimes, bettas are just fighters (LOL). For instance, my current betta Renoir will kill anything he sees that's moving, including my hand and an amano shrimp I had in his tank, while the betta I had before Renny was kind enough to allow a small male endler and said shrimp to live with him. After he killed off an oto I got first, of course.

I wouldn't say 5.5 is too small, you just need to have it densely planted if you want any sort of luck with it. Have a small, distinct territory for your betta planned out. A small clearing around a cave should work well. This might not work, of course, so be ready to have a backup tank. DO NOT put him in with another betta, even a female. If he keeps being aggressive, I personally would move the otos and let the guy keep the 5.5 if you can.

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Lead me not to temptation...I can make it there myself just fine, thank you