Anything Else With My Betta?

[pablothebetta]

I currently keep 6 pygmy cories in there with him, but I'm thinking of rehoming them. I just feel this tank really is too small for them as they're fairly inactive and seem to hide most of the time and they deserve better than this. I had hoped to upgrade, but that doesn't seem to be a possibility any more - or at least not in the near future.

I was therefore wondering what I might keep with my betta instead. If the coies are rehomed, I might just keep it to him and shrimp in there (well, any shrimp that actually survive, they seem to just dissapear and looking at his plump belly and his occasional behaviour, I can only presume one thing...) but I am open to other ideas.

I know some people keep a couple of male endlers with their bettas in 5 gallons - what might work in there with him?

Thanks

 

[agk2000]

Bettas will readily eat shrimp... so putting them in will lead to an expensive snack.

 

[pablothebetta]

Bettas will readily eat shrimp... so putting them in will lead to an expensive snack.

They've been in there since October - seemed fine at first. Some accept, some don't. As much as I like shrimp, I don't think I'll be trying any more - he's had cherries, larger cherry fry and 'rudolphs' now and I don't want to chance it any more. Goes to show all bettas are different, I guess.

 

[Bloodworm]

My betta only nipped at my ADF once. Hes never bit the ADF again, and they seem to get along fine. I don't know why he bit him, because sometimes the ADF sits right in front of him and the betta doesn't mind. I've also seen someone keep 7 neon tetras with their betta in a 10 gallon.

 

[OldMan47]

Actually I feel that the pygmy cories are a good choice. If you want more action from the pygmies, increase their numbers. The more there are, the more likely you are to see them playing around in your tank. I have about 10 in a 20 gallon with lots of other fish and I always see them out and about. They get a sense of security from their numbers.

 

[lilfishie]

Amano/Algae shrimp are a better option, they are bigger than cherries, I've kept them with bettas no problem

 

[pablothebetta]

Actually I feel that the pygmy cories are a good choice. If you want more action from the pygmies, increase their numbers. The more there are, the more likely you are to see them playing around in your tank. I have about 10 in a 20 gallon with lots of other fish and I always see them out and about. They get a sense of security from their numbers.

Thankyou for all the advice recently oldman, its all greaty appriciated. Only thing with adding more is that the tanks only 28L/7.4 US gallons and I already have 6 - I don't know if I'd feel comfortaable adding more. I used to keep four but decided to add another two for the same reason. They were more active for the first few days/week or so, but then they all went back to staying at the back of the tank barley moving much.

Lilfishie - the rudolphs were considerably bigger than the cherries and less colourful but they went even quicker than the cherries - sure I'd have more luck with amanos?

Bloodworm - I am under the impression that they need careful feeding and it is largely down to the bettas temperament as to if the two get along. It is something to consider though.

Thanks for the replies

 

[OldMan47]

Another option for more activity from almost any shy fish is to provide lots of cover. It can be amazing how much security it gives a fish having a nearby place to hide. It lets the fish feel comfortable out in the open. The fish in this tank used to always hide, now take a look near the front center of the picture and see how many you can count. It is most of the fish in the tank. I took the picture for a plant discussion but was amazed at how many fish I could spot easily.

 

[pablothebetta]

The tank is fairly well planted though I do have plans to re do my tank as soon as I find some wood for it. It currently looks a like this, though more overgrown as this was taken a month ago:

However, my plans are to have a tank looking more like this though with plants in the background in the middle where it's black :

 

[Cazgar]

I have some male endlers with one of mine, & they get along just fine

 

[pablothebetta]

I have some male endlers with one of mine, & they get along just fine

Yeah, I've been wondering about getting a couple of males if the corys were rehomed.
I noticed the cories did come out late last night, but in the day time from what I've seen they barely move at the back of the tank.

Do you think they should be rehomed? I love the little guys, but I want to care for them properly and if they would be better elsewhere then that is what I will do. I'm sure my nearest MA store or another LFS would take them. At best I wouldn't be able to upgrade for several months, though realistically it'd more likely to take over a year as I simply have nowhere suitable that would hold the weight

 

[isadorala]

I've noticed mine go from stone to stone,
Maybe you could try putting some pebbles in so they have a trail to follow, breaks up the space?

 

[pablothebetta]

I've noticed mine go from stone to stone,
Maybe you could try putting some pebbles in so they have a trail to follow, breaks up the space?

I think I could probably incorporate stones into the rescape, actually, so that might be something worth considering, thanks

 

[OldMan47]

You could afford to add a couple of male endlers with little concern.

 

[pablothebetta]

You could afford to add a couple of male endlers with little concern.

Thanks Oldmn47. What do you think I should do about the cories? Now that pablos gone, its just them and the shrimp atm. I'm planning to rescape and sort out the cory/endler before getting abother though. Any advice?