Building around a betta

[pwrpufgirlz]

so, ever since someone had the link to the thinkfish website I've been looking at other fishes that are compatible with a male betta. I decided a while ago (after my first betta, Jeff, died) that I wanted another one when I finally set my 29 gallon tank up. Well, that tank is up and currently cycling, and now I would like some suggestions based on the fish that I have chosen at thinkfish. Here's what the site came up with:

Cherry Barb 3
Checkered Barb 3
Siamese Fighting Fish (Male) 1
Glass Bloodfin 5
Glowlight Tetra 6
Penguin Tetra 4
Platy 2
Harlequin Rasbora 6

I understand the quantities are off also. Who should I scratch (I really don't plan on having that many fish, or types of fish, in the tank, but that is the list I will base my future purchases on) Any I should add?

And another quick question, does anyone have a betta in a tank with bigger fish? I was also considering having one betta and three or four bigger fish, can someone recommend a few big fish to put in?

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[pwrpufgirlz]

Here is what I plan on having in my 10 gallon:

Tiger Barb 6

Buenos Aires Tetra 6

Clown Loach 3
(quantities according to thinkfish)

Oh I forgot, I have a common pleco in my 10 gallon that I want to put in the 29 also. He was given to me along with the loach, tetra, and barbs, from a friend who didn't want to put them through the stress of moving (or Iwouldn't have gotten a pleco unless I had a bigger tank). Would he be compatible in my 29 with those other fish listed?

 

[lovebuzz]

Your clown loaches and common pleco will get too big even for the 29 gallon. And the tetras will almost surely nip at your bettas fins.

I suggest for the 29, have it really well planted, a betta, some kuhli loaches, harlequin rasboras, white cloud minnows, and probably some shrimp and snails (though I'm not sure if the kuhli's would have these last a long time at all). Your cherry barbs should be fine but I don't know much about checkered barbs. I would scrap the tetras, don't put that bettas fins in danger! lol.

I too am planning to build around a betta, just make sure you get it well planted and that the tankmates are all compatible and it should be quite easy.

What type of cycling are you doing?

 

[pwrpufgirlz]

right now the tank is just running with a filter and a heater, but after reading the non-fish cycling article a few days ago I plan on doing that, but I have to go buy some ammonia.

aren't the clown loaches pretty slow growers? could I keep some for a time and rehome them or else get a bigger tank? I already have the one, I spose I could rehome him, but he has such a nice fishonality!

So no tetras and cherry barbs should be okay.

Excellent, thanks for your help!

 

[yvez9]

clown loaches will grow about an inch a year so you would be ok for some time. but they are really hard to rehome when they are big. not many people have large enbough tanks with room to spare for a loach, especially since you should always keep at least 3 together!

 

[lovebuzz]

So you should rehome them now, in the interest of the fish's health and well being.

Hehe.

You may also get some otos in that setup but just make sure to choose the healthiest ones at the shop, because only one third of the otos shipped to pet stores actually survive for a while in home aquariums. This is because they need to use chemicals in the wild to kind of tranquilize the otos. This stresses them and can kill them. Also, otos aren't fed very well in most LFS. If you're going to get otos, they like to be in groups but it's not necessary. Make sure you have some algae in the tank, if not, provide zuchinni. Otos are known for their very good algae eating skills but also their high die off rate.

Just a bit of information so you might consider them

 

[mwm]

Here is what I plan on having in my 10 gallon:

Tiger Barb 6

Buenos Aires Tetra 6

Clown Loach 3
(quantities according to thinkfish)

Oh I forgot, I have a common pleco in my 10 gallon that I want to put in the 29 also. He was given to me along with the loach, tetra, and barbs, from a friend who didn't want to put them through the stress of moving (or Iwouldn't have gotten a pleco unless I had a bigger tank). Would he be compatible in my 29 with those other fish listed?

Okay i think 6 tiger barbs would be max for a 10g. Maybe a snail for the algea.
Clown loaches shouldnt be in a 10g its way to small for them and ya id forget the tetras and get just tiger barbs,and you should trade the common pleco in at ur LFS and get a smaller species of pleco. something like a Bushy Nose Pleco for the 29g (Click For Info on that pleco http/www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Di...fm?pCatId=1039)

 

[Inchworm]

Hi pwrpufgirlz

Most of my fish are corydoras catfish, and in some of my tanks I keep a betta with them. It is an excellent combination. Corys are active little fish that get along with everyone and serve to keep the bettas alert and interested in their surroundings. I frequently see the bettas watching the corys going about their business. I have one that has learned to pull blackworms out of the gravel, like the corys do, and I've even had one betta that would hang out in their cave with them.

Corys are schooling fish and love to be in large groups, so you could keep quite a variety of them in a tank the size of yours. You would not have to worry about the bottom being overcrowded. Corys are easy to care for and eat the same food as bettas do.

All you would need to do to accommodate them is to have some kind of cave in the tank so they can get into the shade once in a while. A piece of slate on top of several rocks will do the trick.

Here's a link that will show you the different kinds of corys. While they are not all readily available, you will be able to put together a nice selection. Just keep at least 3-6 of each kind you buy.

http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/calli...ra/g_thumbs.htm

 

[pwrpufgirlz]

Clown loaches shouldnt be in a 10g its way to small for them and ya id forget the tetras and get just tiger barbs

Yes, unfortunately I can't simply forget about the tetra, as I already have one. he's a nice fish who gets along really well with the barbs.

 

[lovebuzz]

Then just make sure it's not in the same tank. B)

Someone had a really nice betta tank here. Tear-scar, I think. I'll get the link for you, he made a journal.

Edit:

Here ya go:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=58257&hl=

It's a really great tank and it's a journal of its making. The last pic is the tank when the journal was complete but the pic in his sig is the updated photo.

 

[gwlee7]

Just my opinion but I don't think that any tiger barbs would be happy in a 10 gallon tank.......

 

[mwm]

Just my opinion but I don't think that any tiger barbs would be happy in a 10 gallon tank.......

why not?

 

[gwlee7]

According to the fish index here:

Max size : 2.5 - 3"

Min. Tank size : 30 us/gallon

At up to three inches, don't you think that 6 tigers would be extremely over crowded in a 10 gallon?. Also you have to consider that tigers are not a "thin" fish either and their "width" adds alot more mass than fish like danios. And on top of all of that, they love to swim quickly all over a tank and with a 10 gallon, there is just not enough room. Once again, just my opinion. I think they are too active of a fish to be housed in a 10 gallon.

 

[pwrpufgirlz]

According to the fish index here:

Max size : 2.5 - 3"

Min. Tank size : 30 us/gallon

At up to three inches, don't you think that 6 tigers would be extremely over crowded in a 10 gallon?. Also you have to consider that tigers are not a "thin" fish either and their "width" adds alot more mass than fish like danios. And on top of all of that, they love to swim quickly all over a tank and with a 10 gallon, there is just not enough room. Once again, just my opinion. I think they are too active of a fish to be housed in a 10 gallon.

Actually that is something I have been considering, since I'd like to keep both my BA Tetra and the Tiger Barbs. I'm going to put those in the 29 gallon and use a ten gallon for my betta tank.

So in my 29 there will be : some barbs and tetras, 2 kuhli loaches, plus a few corys or possibly otos, and a pleco of some variety

and in my 10 there will be : 1 male betta, a few cherry barbs, some harlequin raspora, and again, few corys or possibly otos

Now, how many would be a good number of each?

 

[lovebuzz]

Cherry barbs do fine in a pair. Harlequin rasboras should be ok in a trio but you don't see their full personality unless you have 6 (but 3 should be ok for the ten). I'd say 3 corys (pandas or pygmys are good in a ten gallon) and 2 otos, just because they like company but don't need that much.

Hope that helps