Can I add a couple of neons to this set-up?

[cheese_mcphee]

Not long ago I set-up a 5 gallon Betta tank, and was wondering if I could add a couple of neons to it. Its well planted and has hiding places, but I don't want to risk either the neons or the Betta, and would rather just keep the one fish in there if its safer.

(It has an internal filter by the way)

Any advice would be helpful!

 

[mrV]

Not a good idea...

First the tank is quite small. And second neons live in cooler water than betta. As you know, ou probably need heater to keep water warm enopugh for betta. (If your tank was bigger, then you could add cardinals with betta.) And because neontetra is small fish, it'll be happier in large shoal. Also neons can nag bettas high fins..

 

[RoperDoper]

I had 4 neons and a male betta in a 10 gallon tank and over the first night of getting the neons they were dead...They are pests I say.

 

[cheese_mcphee]

Ok thanks for your replies! I get the impression this would a bad idea then. How about some corys instead? Would they be ok in a small tank like this?

 

[RoperDoper]

My bettas love my cory cat, he's not active but he's been more active since I've got my female bettas in there.

 

[Inchworm]

Ok thanks for your replies! I get the impression this would a bad idea then. How about some corys instead? Would they be ok in a small tank like this?

Hi cheese_mcphee

I think you could add 2 corys to the tank with your betta. If you choose small ones such as C. panda or C. julii you might even be able to add 3. Just be sure you keep the tank very clean.

Corys are an excellent companion fish for bettas and I have my betta in a 20 gallon long with no other fish but corys. He is happy and interested in what the corys are doing. I think he is more active than many bettas because of the non-threatening activity of the corys.

Since the corys occupy the bottom of the tank and the betta's territory is naturally the top, there is no conflict between them. They get along well and eat the same food.

Corys are a lot of fun to watch, but you must get, at the very least, 2 of them or they will be shy and easily frightened. The more you have in a tank, the more comfortable and active they are.

 

[cheese_mcphee]

Thanks for the replies! Seems like corys are the way to go, my only concern is that if they get too big for the 5 gallon tank. Is this likely to happen?

Sorry for all the questions!

 

[Inchworm]

Hi cheese_mcphee

Don't worry about asking too many questions. It's better to ask too many than to ask too few and make mistakes that turn out to be harmful to your fish.

IF you are running your 5 gallon tank cycled, (and you should be) you should have no problems with two corys and a betta.

Even if you had 3 corys, if your chemicals were kept in line, it will be alright. The important thing is that you know that you are pushing the tank to its limits and monitor the chemicals, and keep it clean.

 

[mike777]

good luck with your new cories cheese_mcphee you will love them I don;t know one person that has cories and is not satisfied with them. They are just really nice good natured fish! they are compatible with basically any fish (except for the ones that will eat them) you will love em!

 

[cheese_mcphee]

IF you are running your 5 gallon tank cycled, (and you should be) you should have no problems with two corys and a betta...

Trust me, I've learnt from the mistake of not letting a tank cycle. The 5 gallon tank is till cycling, although its had a headstart as I'm using a small filter thats been in my bigger tank for months as well as some water from it too. Haven't got the Betta yet, just planning ahead

good luck with your new cories cheese_mcphee you will love them I don;t know one person that has cories and is not satisfied with them. They are just really nice good natured fish! they are compatible with basically any fish (except for the ones that will eat them) you will love em!

Thanks, looking forward to getting them!

 

[Inchworm]

Sound to me like you have everything under control !!! I'll be looking forward to seeing your posts in the Catfish Cradle section of this forum.

Be sure to let us know what kind of corys you get and how you like them.

 

[cheese_mcphee]

Gonna get the Betta in the next few days assuming the tank finishes cycling (which its very close to at the moment), so it'll be a week or so before I get them, but i'll let you know how it all goes

Thanks again for your advice, its really appreciated!

 

[Paradise_Gourami]

i dont think their will be any problems with this orangement