Beta community tank ideas?

[PheonixKingZ]

Here is the picture of my Cories, which I believe are rust Cories. View attachment 110409

Those look like bronze Cory cats to me.

Your GH is good for these little guys. I do need to suggest you do a substrate change - while colorful gravel may look cool, it is no good for Corydoras. They are naturally scavengers, and need sand. Gravel can damage their barbels, leading to infection.

(they also need to be in groups of 6 or more.)

 

[Byron]

@Byron @PheonixKingZ so my results were:

GH 160ppm (they said moderate hard)
KH 0-20ppm (they said it was close)
PH 7.0

Good. GH is 160 ppm which equates to 9 dGH (some like ppm some prefer dH) which is on the soft rather than hard side of moderate. Too soft for livebearers (platies and mollies were mentioned earlier in this thread but don't look at them), soft water species that don't require very soft will be fine, and there are quite a lot to choose from.

 

[FishFinatic77]

Yes, live bearers won't do very good in your water. Maybe you could put in a gourami?

 

[Stefan3289]

@FishFinatic77 @Byron @PheonixKingZ
So I have been thinking and with the water measurements I can’t do live bearers. I was wondering if based of my water quality i would be able to have a discuss tank?

 

[Stefan3289]

@FishFinatic77 @Byron @PheonixKingZ
So I have been thinking and with the water measurements I can’t do live bearers. I was wondering if based of my water quality i would be able to have a discuss tank?

Obviously just discuss not with the mollies or anything else (unless cories would work since they are adorable)

 

[Byron]

On the discus issue. Yes, you cold acquire discus from a reliable breeder that have been raised in similar water. This is the safest way with discus. But they need warmth, 82F or higher, and there is no cory species that should be subjected to this on a permanent basis; summer heat waves are one thing, but permanent warmth is debilitating. Even the so-called "warm water" tolerable species like C. sterbai or C. duplicareus should not bee kept at or above 80F. So says Ian Fuller, and he knows more about Corydoras than any of us.

 

[Stefan3289]

On the discus issue. Yes, you cold acquire discus from a reliable breeder that have been raised in similar water. This is the safest way with discus. But they need warmth, 82F or higher, and there is no cory species that should be subjected to this on a permanent basis; summer heat waves are one thing, but permanent warmth is debilitating. Even the so-called "warm water" tolerable species like C. sterbai or C. duplicareus should not bee kept at or above 80F. So says Ian Fuller, and he knows more about Corydoras than any of us.

My living room where the tank is pretty warm most of the time so keeping the tank at 82 for the discus shouldn’t be an issue. As for the reliable breeder would local fish stores work (not commercial like PetSmart etc.) or should I find someone specific since I have never gone through a breeder.

 

[FishFinatic77]

I don't have any experience with discus, but I will say that, IMO going thorough a breeder is almost always going to be better than getting the fish at a store.

 

[Stefan3289]

Here is where I was thinking....

Pet Store | Aqua World Super Pet Center | Pittsburgh Pa

AquaWorld is a unique pet store specilaizing in Freshwater Fish, Saltwater Fish, Coral Reef and, Aquarium Maintenance. We also carry Reptiles and Small Animals.

www.aquaworldpsc.com

Elmer's Aquarium – Pittsburgh Area Aquarium Specialty Store

www.elmersaquarium.com

 

[Stefan3289]

I can’t seem to find any discuss breeders other than online and I wouldn’t want to order one online..

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Have you looked on Craigslist? I have a guy that lives near me that breeds quality Discus.

 

[Stefan3289]

No luck.

 

[Byron]

Many reliable discus retailers will obtain their fish from a breeder. I have one (or maybe two) local fish stores that do this, or did anyway. Discus acquired from general suppliers and basic stores can be more trouble than not as I understand it.

 

[Sweet_Sassy]

I have had success with my betta with khuli loaches and cory cats. Mine is very peaceful and doesn't go after the bottom feeders. If you're putting a betta in with other community fish I would at least recommend adding plenty of plants and hiding places and to get fish that are not as colorful as the betta and don't have long flowy fins. My male betta lives with plattys, khuli loaches, cory catfish, danios, red minor tetras, and a dwarf gourami. The tank is large enough for them to stay away from each other but they tend to all stick together. I haven't had any problems with visible aggression or fin nipping. My betta actually swims with and hides behind the dwarf gourami and they don't go anywhere without each other (again, no nipping and no flaring, they are both really peaceful and choose to stay by each other) I would say just stay vigilant with the betta and new tank mates and be prepared to separate as it might not go as well as planned.