Is 17 Gallon Ok For A Male Betta?

[vintage3]

Im getting a brand new 65l (17gallon) tank for christmas and I was woundering if it was big enough for a male betta and some shrimp or frogs??

 

[Honeythorn]

Absolutely fantastic. Yes. You could also have some other peaceful fish in there if you are careful about your choices and add the other species BEFORE the betta ( if you add them after him, he may pick at them as they are coming into his territory )

Some cories would be a nice peaceful addition to the bottom.

But if you are going to have a betta, then you must make sure the output of the filter is very gentle as they will not hold up to being blown around the tank by a current. A good sized sponge filter should work fine .

Also, plant the tank up quite heavily ( real or false silk, either is fine but real look better and use up nitrates too ) as bettas are weak swimmers and need lots of resting places , and also places to hide if they are nervous. Some tall and broad leaved species of live plants like Cabomba, Elodia, Aponogentons and Amazon swords are good choices. Mossballs are good for resting spots on the bottom, and also Java moss. These will also be quite popular with shrimp.

Don't forget to cycle your filter before adding any fish .

 

[tibby25731]

Most definitely! You could divide it into 2 and still there would be adequate space... and you could have 2 bettas! I wouldn't do the shrimp though - tried that with my bettas and they bit them in half! argh. I would say, get some african dwarf frogs and 1 betta, see how they do together... if they are OK, then get a divider and get another betta! You can always send the frogs over the divider to the new betta to see how they get on too.... not all bettas will tolerate tankmates! Be warned though, you have to hand feed frogs... I use a turkey baster with bloodworms to make sure they get fed.

 

[newfishy]

yes 17 gallons with some cute little corys would be lovely. and a word of caution, some males do not like being in divided tanks with other males, even if the divider is non see threw. I have a few males in seperate 5 gallons because they got stressed in the divided tank and chewed their tails up pretty bad.

 

[ghent_3rd]

I have read on here that some Bettas get stressed in divided tanks. In theory how many dividers could I drop into an 11 gallon tank if all went well?? Also, what would be the best way to filter this tank. Could I just use 1 filter to filter all the compartments that I have divided up?

 

[FBTgirl2]

A 17 gallon would be wonderful!!! Maybe add a few Apple Snails. Yes, Remember the filter must be gentle. Good luck he will probably love a 17 gallon, my males only have 4 gallons Good luck

 

[Sweetheart]

A 17 gallon is AWESOME for a betta! Maybe a nice planted with some snails as said above. He/she will think that he/she is in heaven! lol

 

[azulfire24]

I have read on here that some Bettas get stressed in divided tanks. In theory how many dividers could I drop into an 11 gallon tank if all went well?? Also, what would be the best way to filter this tank. Could I just use 1 filter to filter all the compartments that I have divided up?

i have a 10 us dived i to 4 but my male chew the s@#$ out of the selves cause they can see each other i guess, and its a little hard ti make the divider pretty...


for a 17 i would get one realy great specimin of betta and have sone corys and other little fish to make it pretty,, pluss you dont have to worry about them jumping a didvider or squezing threw ,,,all of which mine have done and they alll were bad endings....

i am moving and cant have alot of tanks anymore , so nix the bredding, i gave all my females to my sister to run in her big 29 gal and am only gonna keep 2 nettas, with a double divider so they last ones realy cant see each other.. so i will see how it goes.