10 Gallon Community?

[opal_eyes]

Hi, I am brand new to fish keeping, and I just recently got my first fish, a betta. I have a 10 u.s. gallon tank, and I was wondering if it is possible to put some different very small fish in there?

 

[Gankutsuou]

I do believe Bettas Tend to stay near the top....

So I think cories would be suitable tank mates that would not disturb it, and stay on the bottom.

 

[opal_eyes]

Lol, no no. My betta already has his own little tank. I hear that they dont have the best rep. for being community fish. I was talking about starting fresh with a 10 gal.

 

[Gankutsuou]

ah. there are many topics on this.

If you plan to clean it with weekly water changes, you could eventually do like,

1x shoal of some 6 inch tetra
and 4-6x of some kind of cory.

and then toss in a bamboo shrimp or a bunch of amano shrimp.

 

[liv4evrordietryin!]

i'd say u can absolutely add some small fish to the tank. even though they're called siamese fighting fish, they're generally very peaceful towards any fish that aren't also bettas. just avoid any kind of gourami (i dunno if you're thinking of a dwarf gourami) cuz the bettas tend to confuse them for either a rival or a potential mate (which they can assault if they're not willing to breed). maybe try some kind of tetras?

 

[BluMermaid]

I know how you feel! I just got my Betta last nite!!
And i was wondering all the same things because i know that there fighting fish..
But i want more, there an addiction. <333

 

[chibi]

You can add Bettas in with other fish that aren't bettas, guppies, or other fish that look similar.

I'd suggest getting a 3-4 tetras or rasboras and 3 corydoras. Both like to be with the same species and will stick together. It's easy to go crazy and buy lots of fish, but with 10 gallons, it's hard to fit so many in there. The less crowded, the better.

 

[opal_eyes]

I know how you feel! I just got my Betta last nite!!
And i was wondering all the same things because i know that there fighting fish..
But i want more, there an addiction. <333

Yes, I know exactly what you mean. I have had Gibson for exactly a week and 1 day, and I just bought another betta today. Good luck with your betta!

 

[Gankutsuou]

You can add Bettas in with other fish that aren't bettas, guppies, or other fish that look similar.

I'd suggest getting a 3-4 tetras or rasboras and 3 corydoras. Both like to be with the same species and will stick together. It's easy to go crazy and buy lots of fish, but with 10 gallons, it's hard to fit so many in there. The less crowded, the better.

Now 3-4 tetra would be bad. Most every tetra needs a shoal of 6+. And corries tend to need 3+ (I think. maybe they are 6 too.)

If the Betta has its own tank like you said, I would get a shoal of six tetra.
The best choices would be Cardinal, Glowlight, or Black neon, IF you want 4 Corydoras with them.

Now, if you don't care for cories, just get 7 Rummynose tetra.

Try to go for sand with cories, or fine gravle. (that's what i hear)
and Go ahead with heavy plants. Tetra tend to like those. But that's if you got the betta its own tank.

If not, just get about 3-5 cories for the bottom.

 

[Kris]

Hehe we have the same situation going on.

I initially started with a 10 gallon community. Then bought a betta tank, then about a week later bought another betta tank.

Should you decide you want to try a betta in the community tank setting, my advice is watch super closely. I attempted a betta with some neons and it ended horribly. One poor little fella lost an eye in the battle and it was by far the creepiest thing I had ever seen. In regards to cories, I have to say these are quickly becoming one of my favorite fish. I have albinos and pandas and they are the most entertaining fish in the tank. I've also had in the past and present: albino danios which are very active and fast swimmers. They stay near the top but get a bit rambunctious for a slower more mellow community setting. They also do better in larger tanks because they require a lot of surface area to dart around in. Pristella Tetras are very pretty and remain relatively small, so they may be a good pick for your 10 gallon. Serpae tetras are beautiful too, but they're sneaky - looove to fin nip when no ones looking. If you like neons, I'd go for the cardinal tetra - neons aren't very hardy and there has been recent issues regarding their already questionable hardiness due to over breeding in captivity. I have never had any luck keeping neons myself, but then again that's not to say others won't.

If you do want to put other fish in your betta tanks - depending on size and filteration.. I have had luck with larger ghost shrimp. I originally put in 6 - 3 smaller and 3 larger into one of my betta tanks. The 3 larger ones are doing great, the smaller 3 were never heard from again. I'm pretty sure they were made into snack food for the betta.