Betta And Platys

[SarahMarie]

Hi everyone. I've just got a quick question. I'm wondering if its possible to keep a betta fish with platys?
I've got a new tank cycling at the moment and once it's done I'll be moving my corys and tetras over to it so it will just be the platys left. It's a 64 litre tank. 6 platys, 2 male and 4 female plus a few fry.
Thanks for any advice guys

 

[the_lock_man]

I have done that before, with no problem. The only thing is that bettas are very individual fish, some won't tolerate any tankmates at all, others will happily co-exist with virtually anything - even guppies. It will all depend on the specific fish you buy.

 

[Jay0173]

Hi everyone. I've just got a quick question. I'm wondering if its possible to keep a betta fish with platys?
I've got a new tank cycling at the moment and once it's done I'll be moving my corys and tetras over to it so it will just be the platys left. It's a 64 litre tank. 6 platys, 2 male and 4 female plus a few fry.
Thanks for any advice guys

 
People have been known to successfully keep betas and platies together. But it really depends on the size of the tank and the temperament of the fish. I don't think with a 64 litre tank (17 U.S. gallons) tank that you'd run into any problems as there would be plenty of room for the fish to find a private space for themselves if things get a little stressful for them.
 
if the fish you have now are territorial, however, it might result in your Beta hiding all the time. Sometimes the fish would do better if they're introduced to the aquarium at the same time as there'd be no established territories for the fish to compete for when the beta is added.
 
Although you say the platies are already in the aquarium, you could remove them from the tank temporarily, re-scenic the tank, do a water change, etc, and then introduce all the fish together all at the same time. As the tank will be re-sceniced, the usual territories the platies have become accustomed to won't be there any longer so all the fish will have to become accustomed to the tank at the same time and this might result in the fish becoming more compatible tank mates.
 
I've never kept Betas, however, so my advice to you is purely based on anecdotal evidence. Others with more experience will be able to advise you better.

 

[SarahMarie]

Great advice guys thanks so much. I've decided not to risk it and just get a new tank for the betta, then have a few shrimp and/or snails in it too

 

[VL1990]

I had a male betta when i first started out my tank. He hated absolutely everything except neons! I first tried him with mollies, this was a no go, then i put in some mickey mouse platies (they were female and very dull in colour) but no he hated them as well! he even flared at my glass catfish a few times! I think it is definitaly down to the individual. I also think age is an important factor too as mine was quite young whereas Iv seen some older larger ones that are much less fussed by things. If you were going to take the risk and consider getting one id deffo get one from a store where the betta is already in a community tank and not housed alone. I saw a mature one in my LFS the other day swimming round happily with guppy endlers.
 
Good luck

ps Shrimp are an absolute must! My favourites are the red nosed shrimp. So amusing to watch!

 

[SarahMarie]

I've just purchased a 28 litre tank today which I'm going to cycle before getting the betta. I think I'll end up getting a halfmoon one. They're just stunning! Plus a few shrimp. I've never had them before though so we'll see how it goes
Thanks so much

 

[Shelster]

Good luck SarahMarie, I am relatively new to betta ownership (April) but love them so much now I have two (in sep tanks) one cannot live with anything else, but the other has 6 black neon tetras as tank mates.

As others have said, it's all down to the individual betta.

Please can I ask you add pics of your tank setup as we all love to see these once its started, and a pic of the betta too

 

[SarahMarie]

Here's a pic of the tank so far. I'm planning on adding a lot of plants so it isn't totally empty lol but I'll do that after cycling lol


There are so many different ones to choose from! I suppose I've got a while to go yet what with the cycling process and everything. I'll definitely post a pic of the one I end up getting

 

[TallTree01]

I would recommend against. As lockman said it may work but in my opinoin  it's not worth the risk .

 

[Shelster]

It's looking good so far, I love that piece of wood! Would look great with Anubias or java fern attached

 

[SarahMarie]

Thanks. I really hated it at first lol I couldn't find a good way to position it. I was thinking I'd wasted my money. I hadn't thought of trying it this was until earlier today

 

[Meeresstille]

As already said, it depends on your Betta's temperament if he accepts tankmates or not. Personally I will never keep Bettas with other fish again, I find it a lot easier to control what/how much they're eating being a single tank inhabitant.

 

[SarahMarie]

Thanks it wasn't worth the risk so I got a new tank. It was only £50 for everything required. Cycling it now with some media from my other tank so hopefully it shouldn't take too long. I can't wait to have a betta

 

[TallTree01]

Thanks it wasn't worth the risk so I got a new tank. It was only £50 for everything required. Cycling it now with some media from my other tank so hopefully it shouldn't take too long. I can't wait to have a betta

I can't wait for you to have a betta either!

 

[Shelster]

^ +1 can you tell that we get excited through other members fish purchases when we run out of space ourselves?