Bettas In Large Tanks?

[RamboFish]

I was just after advice on Bettas in large tanks.
I used to have a red male bette in a 25l tank. When i got mine i was advised they prefer small cosy tanks? But since being on this site have seen lots of users that keep them in larger tanks. How do you go about this?
Do they have to have precisely set up? what tank mates are they best with? (My current set up is in my signature)

I'm after a new 'feature fish' for my tank and a betta never crossed my mind, as i thought i would no longer be able to have one in a large tank.

 

[Fishy friend2]

20 gallon isn't large at all, kinda small In My Opinion, Betta would do fairly well if there is minimal current, and about 3 more phantoms as they are notoriously nippy

 

[RamboFish]

why 3 more? will higher numbers help avoid nipping?
find it crazy that my tank is still kinda small lol. I was always told how they should be kept in a small tank becuase in the wild they live in rice paddy feilds and like to have a small environment? So shocked but excited about this!

 

[Fishy friend2]

In the wild they have terriories of around 3 by 3 feet. Rice paddy fields are very large, yet shallow. The reason that they are shallow, and that Bettas are known to get trapped in puddles (usually die when trapped) is what compels people to think they do fine in smaller tanks of around 1 gallon. And yes, 3 more due to the fact of them being nippy, a bigger group makes them feel secure which makes them feel safer, and they won't be as nippy

 

[RamboFish]

Oh i see, thats very interesting.So would you say a betta would do ok in my set up? Here's a picture if it helps:

 

[Cazgar]

A Betta would do fine in your set up as long as the current from your filter isn't too strong.
However, I'd watch for your neons & phantoms nipping.
A plakat or halfmoon betta would be better though than a veiltail

 

[Fishy friend2]

Yes. He would appreciate a few broad leafed planta such as anubias nana

 

[RamboFish]

Sorry which types are those, I know half moon but unsure of what the other one looks like

 

[RamboFish]

Oh are the plakat the short fin?

 

[lilfishie]

a plakat male would be best IMO on another note have you considered a group of females? theres some very nice ones about these days

 

[RamboFish]

a plakat male would be best IMO on another note have you considered a group of females? theres some very nice ones about these days

Yeah have been thinking that, are they more social too? As long as my current stock will make good tank mates. How many females would work in my tank?

 

[lilfishie]

you could have a nice group of 6-8 females in there no problem, they are very social and most are a lot less aggressive *still the odd 1 now and then*. I have 26 all living happily together

 

[onidrase]

you could have a nice group of 6-8 females in there no problem, they are very social and most are a lot less aggressive *still the odd 1 now and then*. I have 26 all living happily together

I have this strange feeling that you like betta fish...

 

[lilfishie]

you could have a nice group of 6-8 females in there no problem, they are very social and most are a lot less aggressive *still the odd 1 now and then*. I have 26 all living happily together

I have this strange feeling that you like betta fish...

thats not the half of it! with 11 males and another 6 females separate then 4 reserved *3 male 1 female*

 

[onidrase]

you could have a nice group of 6-8 females in there no problem, they are very social and most are a lot less aggressive *still the odd 1 now and then*. I have 26 all living happily together

I have this strange feeling that you like betta fish...

thats not the half of it! with 11 males and another 6 females separate then 4 reserved *3 male 1 female*

Soo... Do you like betta fish?