Bettas (new To Fish As A Whole)

[Raddy002]

hello, im quite new to tropical aquarium fish ownership and currently own quite a large biube aquarium not sure on the capacity but it is about two feet tall and about 18 inches in diameter so it is quite large. I currently have 5 white cloud minnows, 5 zerba danios, 9 neon tetras and 3 platinum blue guppys as well as a few fake plants a volcano to cover my filter/pump and a small cave. Im looking to add one or possibly 2 more colourful slightly larger fish to the tank and lookin round the internet bettas seem to fit the bill however I am aware there are a few problems i was wondering if 1 male/female betta would be suitable for my current tank if not could anyone suggest alternatives...budget isnt really an issue but nothin to expensive i am also lookin for fish which are relatively easy to care for both because of lack of time and experience.

 

[Neon.Tetra]

hello, im quite new to tropical aquarium fish ownership and currently own quite a large biube aquarium not sure on the capacity but it is about two feet tall and about 18 inches in diameter so it is quite large. I currently have 5 white cloud minnows, 5 zerba danios, 9 neon tetras and 3 platinum blue guppys as well as a few fake plants a volcano to cover my filter/pump and a small cave. Im looking to add one or possibly 2 more colourful slightly larger fish to the tank and lookin round the internet bettas seem to fit the bill however I am aware there are a few problems i was wondering if 1 male/female betta would be suitable for my current tank if not could anyone suggest alternatives...budget isnt really an issue but nothin to expensive i am also lookin for fish which are relatively easy to care for both because of lack of time and experience.

I'm not sure if you can have other fish incase it becomes to overstocked. Also, Neon's tend to be a bit nippy with a betta's fins and a betta could have trouble finding sufficient shelter in plants etc. in a tall instead of wide tank. As well as that colourful finned guppys are often bullied by Bettas sometimes to the death as they can be mistaken for another Betta. Your setup sounds stunning enough as it is

 

[Raddy002]

um bettas may not be the best option then thanks for the advice. I was just thinking of adding a bit more colour since with the exception of the tetras my fish are all fairly plain colours the guppys have a hint of blue in the right light and the danios are well patterned but i would still like a quite colourful focal point

 

[LauraFrog]

What about a dwarf gourami? They are less temperamental than bettas with shorter fins so nippers don't bother them.

 

[Raddy002]

they look like really nice fish ive found a place that sells power blue dwarf gourami, would they be better as a pair m/f or could I have 2 males/females or would a single one be ok on its own im a bit concerned if i bought a pair they would breed also what size do they grow to anything over 6-8cm would be to big i think

 

[LauraFrog]

Their adult size is around 6-7cm, and they are a labyrinth fish (closely related to bettas) so they don't need as much space as many other fish their size. Finding female dwarf gouramis is almost impossible. A lot of pet stores will tell you they've sold you a pair when they've actually given you two males. Females are silver and rather plain, and keeping a pair in a small community tank might not be a a good idea. I'd also advise against keeping two males as most anabantids can get a bit testy. There are success stories but it's better safe than sorry. They are fairly easy to breed and may spawn in community tanks, the hard part is getting a female. If you've got nowhere to put the fry and nowhere to put the second male if you got two and they fight, one male is probably the way to go. There is a red strain, the powder blue strain, and several striped ones, so have a look around. They are a fairly common fish so you should be able to find whichever colour pattern you prefer.

 

[Raddy002]

hey again, thanks a lot for your help youve given me some good advice i bought a single male powder blue gourami which should be in my tank in the next few days I will let you know how he does

 

[ezrock]

Hi. I would recommend against putting one male and one female betta in that tank. Male and female bettas generally should not be kept together in one tank unless you are specifically trying to spawn them. Also, bettas won't really do well with the other fish in that tank.

How about some golden danios? Could add a nice little school of them!

 

[Raddy002]

hello again, just thought i'd update you on my progress. I have reiceved my powder blue dwarf gourami and I believe I have recieved a pair. One has a brightly coloured rear fin and is quite a lot bigger than the duller coloured smaller one...wether they have given me a dull second male im not sure but it looks like a pair. Anyway they are doing well and seem to be ok in the community and I also added a couple of blue tux guppys which are also doing well so thanks for the advice guys =)

 

[Nikkig85]

I have a betta in with cardinal tetras and penguins and they are not interested in each other at all. The betta keeps himself to himself. now and again he will play withthe cardinals but there is no nipping and he doesn't flare at them either.

I think its down to the indevidual fish you have.

 

[tibby25731]

Sounds like you do have a pair of gouramis, the girls are very dull in comparison. I've never seen on in a shop though, they only ever have males near me.