Compatibility

[KrystaK]

I'm picking up a 20 gal tank tomorrow and I was considering getting a female Betta (Possibly more but as I already have stock going in the tank I want to make sure they are compatible before I buy a new girl)

So far I have:
(5'x12') section (aprox 4 gallons) planned to section off for a male Betta (Will have a divider, and I'm not planning on breeding)
3 female mollies
2 female guppies
Thats all I have for definite stock,
(There will be fry dropped in this tank but I don't intend on saving any fry, it will be a 'nature take it's course' deal.)

For stock I wasn't sure about I was thinking:
Perhaps some Tetra's or Barbs, but I've never had either fish so I'm totally going out on a limb there.
Also, I have no idea how many of either I would put in if I got any.
If anyone has any suggestions they think I may like I would appreciate it As I'm looking to have fish I've never had before, (Which is most fish teehee)
(Also a bottom feeder or two would be nice, but not Cory's, as I have Cory's in my current tank and want a change )

 

[OldMan47]

Sometimes mollies are just too rough for a nice docile betta. The guppies would be fine with her. Almost any barb is far too rough for any betta and many, but not all, tetras are fin nippers to one degree or another. If you really want to keep your betta with other fish, how about a few nice rasbora hets or some of the smaller species of cories? I have this boy in a 45 gallon endler tank with 5 bristlenose plecs as well. He loves the company and swims all over that canister filtered tank. Unfortunately a betta is not much for eating fry. The endlers constantly breed out of control. I am sure he must eat a few but not near enough to control the population.

This is the same tank at feeding time.

 

[NeonNeptune]

Sometimes mollies are just too rough for a nice docile betta. The guppies would be fine with her. Almost any barb is far too rough for any betta and many, but not all, tetras are fin nippers to one degree or another. If you really want to keep your betta with other fish, how about a few nice rasbora hets or some of the smaller species of cories? I have this boy in a 45 gallon endler tank with 5 bristlenose plecs as well. He loves the company and swims all over that canister filtered tank. Unfortunately a betta is not much for eating fry. The endlers constantly breed out of control. I am sure he must eat a few but not near enough to control the population.

This is the same tank at feeding time.

With the endler control, try ghost shrimp
As for tank mates for bettas, neon tetras have never given me problems. And if you want you could try guppies but you need to know the betta's personality, because some will go with guppies. Like mine

 

[lilfishie]

I've kept neons, guppies *females* and various other fish with females including kribs with no issues