Betta Clean Up Crew

[Genesis]

Any ideas for a clean-up crew for my betta tank?
It's 16 litres which is 3.5 US gallons.
I was thinking perhaps 5 Khulii loaches or 3 Corydoras pygmaeus, any other suggestions?

I can't have shrimps because I've had them in this tank before and they've escaped and died.

I also know about the 'suitable betta tankmates' thread, but there aren't many suggestions and they aren't any bottom dwellers listed.


Thaaaaanks!

 

[ibbledibble]

by "clean up crew" what do you mean exactly? something to eat excess food? because if so, just feed your betta pellets and live food rather than flake and don't overfeed, and that way you avoid the problem. you are quite limited to what you could fit in that size tank too.

 

[chesterscot]

have you thought about apple snails?
scot

also love the quote about using his finger to add oxygen once a day lol i remember the op

 

[shadowtheblacklab]

im also going to say apple snail, 3.5g is pretty small to work with

 

[minxfishy]

Red Ramshorn snails - they will only overbreed if you over feed They do wonders in my betta tanks and the boys take no notice of them whatsoever

 

[Genesis]

Thankyou for the Apple Snail suggestion.
I had five Apple Snails in other tanks but over the past month two or three have just dropped dead of unknown causes, it's a bit worrying and I don't very much wish for it to happen again so I don't fancy any more of the Apple Snails.

Yes, I am looking for excess food to be consumed as my boy doesn't eat much. I am sure he wouldn't bother any small fish as he is kind of shy. Whenever I poke a biro into the water (which I'm sure many other people try ) he flares at it and then kind'a swims away, he's such a softy!

 

[ibbledibble]

Thankyou for the Apple Snail suggestion.
I had five Apple Snails in other tanks but over the past month two or three have just dropped dead of unknown causes, it's a bit worrying and I don't very much wish for it to happen again so I don't fancy any more of the Apple Snails.

Yes, I am looking for excess food to be consumed as my boy doesn't eat much. I am sure he wouldn't bother any small fish as he is kind of shy. Whenever I poke a biro into the water (which I'm sure many other people try ) he flares at it and then kind'a swims away, he's such a softy!

if you have excess food JUST FEED LESS!!

usually bettas are little piggies, how much and what do you usually feed him?

i feed mine about 6 attisons betta pro pellets each most days, with a weekly fast day, and a weekly treat of live or frozen food. there is never anything left over to foul the water.

 

[Genesis]

I have "TetraBetta" which is described as "Complete food for Siamese Fighting Fish" and claims it is "For excellent colour, condition and health".

I feed a tiny pinch, the flakes are about 1-2mm across and I feed about 10 of these flakes.

 

[ibbledibble]

most bettas are not keen on flake. they will usually eat it rather than starve, but they tend to prefer pellets. (and of course the loooove live food.)
could be worth giving that a try instead. its much easier to control how much you feed and they usually eat it all leaving no wastage.

apparently hikari betta gold is good, and i definitely recommend attisons betta pro.

 

[modaz]

bettas do like flake, all mine are eating flake when they arrive and have to be tempted with pellets, i feed mine pellets, flake, live and frozen with no waste at all.

Remember that for some brands you pay for the name and not the product as it's as good as any not matter what form, just something to take in consideration.

 

[Genesis]

I fed him frozen bloodworms yesterday and he loved them, success!!

 

[AnakBettaMoon]

I fed him frozen bloodworms yesterday and he loved them, success!!

Ive always been told to use blood worms as a treat, not their main source of food. I use the pellets and my betta will keep on eatting em if i were to keep feeding him, other then that he goes NUTS for the 1/2 a pea shelled that i feed him once a week.

oh and my betta is a wimp when it comes to snails, i had a mystery snail {who suddenly died 2 days ago i have no idea why} who would hang out at the top of the tank when it was feeding time and siphon all of Rod's food for himself and Rod would just sorta sit there looking all sad, and the only way i could ever get him to flare was by holding up a pen tot he side of the tank. wouldnt flare at his reflection or my finger or anything else, just a pen....so i fugured he might take to tank mates, did a full water change, added some plants re aranged the tank added a back drop, so it wouldn't be 'his' territory any more, and i tried adding a couple loach's, bottom dwellers, and he would have non of it, i ended up taking them back the next day.