Advice

[dogfood]

Have you guys ever watched those shows where you see animals of different kinds on tv that aren't supposed to live to together in harmony do just that? Example cats playing and sleeping with dogs, chickens, etc. I think fish are kinda similar. Sometimes if you put fish together when they are young, they'll learn to to adapt to the other fish that otherwise aren't compatible as adults. I'm not for or against putting goldfish together with bettas, but I just wanted to share that observation that may be of interest.

 

[tlagden]

Also Bettas prefer to have still water in the tanks and as far as I know goldfish prefer flowing water.

Oh dear- my waters very flowing...

 

[jollysue]

The ladies can handle a bit more current than the boys, although it is not their natural habitat.

Again, we are talking common goldie vs fancy goldie. Also your fancy goldie will continue to grow if allowed to. The lady Betta is most probably much faster than the fancy, too.

We all wish you the best with your fish, Fuman.

Yes fish do become pals with early tank mates. My common loved her fancy mates. She loved them so much she damaged all of their swim bladders, and they all died one by one. I did not discover that her poking and jostling them was the problem until later. Even though I had been told that pond goldies were too rough for the fancies, I did not heed the advice, because I did not understand. I lost 4 or 5 fancies before I stopped. One was 6 or 7 inches in diameter. My first Oranda was with the common for a year and a half before the common got too rough for her.

I have learned far too many lessons the hard way. My pocket book and the fish have suffered my hard headedness.

 

[dogfood]

Also Bettas prefer to have still water in the tanks and as far as I know goldfish prefer flowing water.

Oh dear- my waters very flowing...

If really depends on the size of the tank and where and how much water flow is happening. If your betta is constantly fighting just to stand still at one location it's too much. If there is a lot of flow at one end of the tank but not the other it may be ok. Most important issue regarding water flow is when bettas go to sleep at night. They need to have a sleeping area where there is very little water flow and something to perch or wedge themself into near the surface especially in large tanks otherwise they will be exhausted from not being able to sleep comfortably. Unlike other fish that are perfectly comfortable sleeping at the bottom, bettas need to constantly surface for air and the deeper the tank the more effort it takes to surface that's why you want a sleeping place near the surface. In a sense they're like turtles which breath air and need a place above water to rest and sleep although bettas need to be below but near the surface.

 

[jollysue]

Nice info! I have learned from it!

 

[tlagden]

If really depends on the size of the tank and where and how much water flow is happening. If your betta is constantly fighting just to stand still at one location it's too much. If there is a lot of flow at one end of the tank but not the other it may be ok. Most important issue regarding water flow is when bettas go to sleep at night. They need to have a sleeping area where there is very little water flow and something to perch or wedge themself into near the surface especially in large tanks otherwise they will be exhausted from not being able to sleep comfortably. Unlike other fish that are perfectly comfortable sleeping at the bottom, bettas need to constantly surface for air and the deeper the tank the more effort it takes to surface that's why you want a sleeping place near the surface. In a sense they're like turtles which breath air and need a place above water to rest and sleep although bettas need to be below but near the surface.

Thanks - helpful