Frustrated - Happy Update

[M'al-finny]

Thank you for the support during my last week of venting and frustration.

My 55 gal tank now has appeared to cycle and my 5 danios and my betta seem happy. The filter flow is still too high for the betta, but he is a surprisingly strong swimmer and swims a pattern taking up quite a bit of the room. He seems to even enjoy "riding the current" in certain places. He will swim for a few seconds, then pause and "vogue" by raising his back fin a bit and spreading his tail. Sometimes he takes offense with a danio and will flare briefly. I assume this is OK and not too stressful.

The danios are eating well (I was worried about them last week) and enjoying their Omega-One flakes. The betta is refusing flakes and Betta-Bio Gold. I mashed up a couple of peas and dropped them in as I'd read that it's a treat, but he wasn't interested. I can tell he's hungry as he eagerly puts food in his mouth, but then he is spitting it out disgustedly.

I will get some freeze-dried brine shrimp to see if that tempts him. But, he should actually EAT something.

So far the only loss was the single danio to a filter incident. That one was too many for me!

Thanks for the advice, the sink-siphon water changer ROCKS!!

Also, I can now consider bringing in some more fish. I realize the current mix is eclectic, so what would you suggest to make it a harmonious and sensible fish blend? (Let's keep betta as an anomaly.) What goes with danios? What lives in strong current?

Tetras and platyies were suggested as a good choice ... does that still hold true? And, I want a little pleco ... is that possible?

 

[dthoffsett]

Try some frozen or freeze dried bloodworm for Mr.Betta, I've yet to see one turn down bloodworms.

As for tankmates, it's hard to say, most tetras will nip the bettas fins (the danios may yet do that, so keep a close eye), plattys "should" leave him alone, but unless you stick to all males, they will quickly out breed the tank. Also, if you get brightly colored ones, the betta may attack. If you get your betta a small tank of his own (2.5-5gallons would work), your stocking would be a lot easier. Here's a link on tankmates for bettas, you might check with the betta section for more suggestions.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=96682

 

[vinylman]

I'd agree that you should get a separate tank for the Betta. I think the Danios would just be too lively for it to feel comfortable.