Betta Tankmates
- Thread starter The Mottfish
- Start date
jollysue
Fish Connoisseur
You can try lots of fish, but it's always a gamble that the Betta will be mild tempered and not take exception to sharing. Some have done well with ghost shrimp, ADFs, a small shoal of Harlequin Rasaboras or some other peaceful, non-nippy fish. As for bottom feeders for clean up, the tank is a little small and most bottom feeders are happy in groups, that I assume is why you chose pandas. Try the pandas, you can always get another tank. 
I have never tried the ghost shrimp, but some have had success, I understand. They clean the bottom a bit. Also make a good lunch for Betta. 
I have never tried the ghost shrimp, but some have had success, I understand. They clean the bottom a bit. Also make a good lunch for Betta. 
In a 15g aquarium, I kept a betta with a school of harlequin rasboras and a school of pygmy corydoras. Very nice planted tank. I've also kept bridget rasboras with bettas, but they are very small could end up a snack if the tank isn't large enough. I have also kept espei and hengel rasboras with bettas with success. I've heard different things from different people regarding livebearers. Guppies seem to be a resounding no (with exceptions), swordtails it's divided, platies are the same. There is always someone who will disagree with someone else. You have to do research and weigh peoples' opinions carefully.
I have a planted 8g with 5 dwarf sunburst platies that I may move one of my bettas to, but I have to determine which one has the best personality to try this with. Also, that tank is densly planted, so stocking can be more generous because the plants utilize fish waste effectively. You really have to consider the betta's personality. They really do have personalities, you know. Some of mine are really mellow and would be great in a community, others are not so mellow.
That being said, you could try the pygmy corydoras. Corydora pygmaeus only gets about an inch long. In addition, they are pretty drab, and unlike other most other corydoras, they school throughout the entire tank, giving a lot more movement in the middle and upper strata. I don't think even the most agressive betta would bother them much, they're very fast and can hold their own quite well. They are, however, rather difficult to find, and really do best with a slightly cooler water temperature. You would, however, find a good compromise for both betta and cory at around 75-76. Any warmer, and the corys don't die, they just become more sluggish. At least that has been my experience with them.
You can keep a betta buy itself in a 7g, you know. There's no harm in it at all, and many here keep them alone in even larger tanks. It won't be lonely and if there are plenty of decorations (plants, rocks, caves, wood, etc), the tank won't look empty to you. If you're happy with one fish, then get a betta. If you really like the look of more than one fish, then don't try to force a community where none can exist because a tank may seem empty. IMO, bettas in community tanks are better left to those with more experience, or to those who at least have the knowledge to understand that a humane back up plan (tank for just the betta) should be on standby incase there are problems. Perhaps a betta may not be for you. Just something to consider. There are other options available for stocking a small aquarium.
Warmest regards,
llj
I have a planted 8g with 5 dwarf sunburst platies that I may move one of my bettas to, but I have to determine which one has the best personality to try this with. Also, that tank is densly planted, so stocking can be more generous because the plants utilize fish waste effectively. You really have to consider the betta's personality. They really do have personalities, you know. Some of mine are really mellow and would be great in a community, others are not so mellow.
That being said, you could try the pygmy corydoras. Corydora pygmaeus only gets about an inch long. In addition, they are pretty drab, and unlike other most other corydoras, they school throughout the entire tank, giving a lot more movement in the middle and upper strata. I don't think even the most agressive betta would bother them much, they're very fast and can hold their own quite well. They are, however, rather difficult to find, and really do best with a slightly cooler water temperature. You would, however, find a good compromise for both betta and cory at around 75-76. Any warmer, and the corys don't die, they just become more sluggish. At least that has been my experience with them.
You can keep a betta buy itself in a 7g, you know. There's no harm in it at all, and many here keep them alone in even larger tanks. It won't be lonely and if there are plenty of decorations (plants, rocks, caves, wood, etc), the tank won't look empty to you. If you're happy with one fish, then get a betta. If you really like the look of more than one fish, then don't try to force a community where none can exist because a tank may seem empty. IMO, bettas in community tanks are better left to those with more experience, or to those who at least have the knowledge to understand that a humane back up plan (tank for just the betta) should be on standby incase there are problems. Perhaps a betta may not be for you. Just something to consider. There are other options available for stocking a small aquarium.
Warmest regards,
llj
Oh OK, I might have to have another think then. What do you guys keep with your bettas?
Thanks for the advise though people!
Right not just 1 ADF and there haven't been any problem so far.
OP
OP
The Mottfish
Fish Fanatic
Pygmy Corydoras sound good and have seen them at my LFS a few times. I'm definately sure I want to get a betta though!
The major problem I'll have is knowing the personality of my betta, which could be a very big problem. I've considered a few fish but have decided on Cory's (or other bottom dwelling fish) as I would of thought they would be more out the way of the betta to prevent confrontations. The tank will be well planted and I'm very keen on getting some tankmates for the betta.
Moving the other fish won't be a problem as they could move into my bigger community tank, but I'll only have one tank available for the betta (being the one it will hopefully be living in.) I definately won't be getting anything though without researching it first and I wouldn't expect my LFS to sell me anything without their approval. (They're pretty 'strict' when it comes to selling fish, probably not as strict as I've made out but nonetheless strict in some caring way!)
Thanks again.
The major problem I'll have is knowing the personality of my betta, which could be a very big problem. I've considered a few fish but have decided on Cory's (or other bottom dwelling fish) as I would of thought they would be more out the way of the betta to prevent confrontations. The tank will be well planted and I'm very keen on getting some tankmates for the betta.
Moving the other fish won't be a problem as they could move into my bigger community tank, but I'll only have one tank available for the betta (being the one it will hopefully be living in.) I definately won't be getting anything though without researching it first and I wouldn't expect my LFS to sell me anything without their approval. (They're pretty 'strict' when it comes to selling fish, probably not as strict as I've made out but nonetheless strict in some caring way!)
Thanks again.
White Whale
Granola bar gone bad....
Yes, they are. However, my little 'bulldog' seems to be doing well with my betta in the freshwater tank. He zips along near the surface and like to rest on leaves and sometimes sticks himself on the glass. The only problem is feeding time because my betta becomes a greedy lion. So I use a feeding ring at one corner and drop shrimp/carnivore pellets at the other.
I add a bit of diluted aquarium salt to the tank every 2 weeks mostly to prevent any outbreak of some sort.
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