Compatible fish

[Jello]

I have a new 25 gallon tank and my son wants a Betta. What types of fish are compatible with Betta's in a community tank?

I was thinking along these lines:
guppies
cory's
pleco
neon's

Thanks

 

[SRC]

Out of that list... only Cory's.


neons will nip the betta, the betta will torment the guppy's, and I've heard as pleco's get bigger they like to nibble on other fish as well, instead of just algea.

 

[Jello]

Ok, any other fish I should consider?

 

[OohFeeshy]

WCMM, some danios I think, but why not get your son a cheap small tank of his own? THen you could have whatever you want in the bigger tank.

 

[Jello]

I was thinking of doing that, with everything I have read and the advice I have received on this site, its probably the best idea.

 

[SRC]

Well, you see...it all depends on the betta himself really. Some are more mellow and will tolerate more species in with them, some are more aggreesive and will not tolerate any at all.

White Clouds have also been reported to do fairly well with Betta's.

What you want to look for are fish that are not aggressive themselves..and that do not have brightly colored, or extensive finnage.

 

[Jello]

Would it make a difference if the Betta was male or female?

 

[BettaMomma]

I'd pick up a cheapy 2.5 gallon rectangle tank with a mini heater and let your son pick out his choice of bettas.

Do keep in mind, however, that bettas require lots of water changing and can be easily overfed - that's a good thing to keep in mind when buying bettas for kids.

 

[RandomWiktor]

Female bettas are generally more community-friendly, but they still can be very agressive. What you COULD do is get 5 females and no other fish; then you'd have a nice social group of girls that should work out a functional hierarchy. But never, ever put bettas in with guppies; you'll have a massacre

 

[Jello]

I think I will get a betta and a couple of compatible fish and also a 10 gallon aquarium. Once the 10 gallon is cycled I will put the betta in there and fill the other tank with some fish that will get along and that I like.

 

[BettaMomma]

And a lucky betta that will be.