Little Betta Tankmates

[jourdy288]

Why can't I try bronze? What will be the problem?

Cories like to be in a group. Bronze cories would be too big to put in a decent group in a 10G tank with 4 bettas.

It depends on how you aquascape. Four cory cats with lots more hiding places that are not too bulky could work. But, if there really, truly, is a problem, I'll resolve it.

 

[eschaton]

I don't mean to be harsh, but people have repeatedly given you advice that a smaller Corydoras species or a larger tank would be better, and you're trying to come up with reasons to justify getting Bronze Corydoras regardless. Why did you ask for advice if you don't want to follow it?

They probably won't die in the tank, but they won't be especially happy being in a small tank with the absolute minimum number of companions. I have no idea where you live (even what country it is), but it's not particularly hard to find Panda Corydoras at a dedicated LFS, and you can always order fish online.

It might be a little less convenient, and a little more expensive, but all fish-keepers should put the welfare of their wet pets first.

 

[jourdy288]

I don't mean to be harsh, but people have repeatedly given you advice that a smaller Corydoras species or a larger tank would be better, and you're trying to come up with reasons to justify getting Bronze Corydoras regardless. Why did you ask for advice if you don't want to follow it?

They probably won't die in the tank, but they won't be especially happy being in a small tank with the absolute minimum number of companions. I have no idea where you live (even what country it is), but it's not particularly hard to find Panda Corydoras at a dedicated LFS, and you can always order fish online.

It might be a little less convenient, and a little more expensive, but all fish-keepers should put the welfare of their wet pets first.

Alright, but one problem: A few months ago I bought a single bronze cory for a separate ten gallon tank. I didn't know of his group requirements, and now I lost the recipt, plus I can't add in a twenty gallon for another few months. I then have the separate ten gallon with the betta fry, as compared to the current ten gallon with a heavier bioload. So I will upgrade when I can, but what is the better option:
A. Buy him some friends, let him live in current tank, more food competition, heavier bioload
B. Let him and friends live in betta tank, lighter bioload, less competion
I agree with you to take the welfare of my pets first, and I am glad you want to help.

Your fellow aquarist,
JC

 

[n3ont3tra]

Just ask the fish store to take him back, even if you won't get a credit for it.

 

[eschaton]

Alright, but one problem: A few months ago I bought a single bronze cory for a separate ten gallon tank. I didn't know of his group requirements, and now I lost the recipt, plus I can't add in a twenty gallon for another few months. I then have the separate ten gallon with the betta fry, as compared to the current ten gallon with a heavier bioload. So I will upgrade when I can, but what is the better option:
A. Buy him some friends, let him live in current tank, more food competition, heavier bioload
B. Let him and friends live in betta tank, lighter bioload, less competion

The correct answer, at least for me, is:

C. Give him to a LFS, or give him away to another fishkeeper better able to take care of his needs for the time being.

Sometimes, this is a hard decision to make. I just had to make it last night. I had two dwarf puffers for around a year, which within the past two weeks started getting very snippy with each other. Came home to find the one who had been picking the fights had two small, circular brown "hickey marks" underneath his mouth. I thought about the options. I could move one into the community tank and risk it getting nippy, or I could clone a new 5.5, or buy another 10 and upgrade it, hoping the added territory would make things turn out better. Finally, I decided the best bet was to simply return one of the two (the uninjured one), as it was both the cheapest option, and the best for the fish's welfare.

I've made similar decisions before too. Returning a single Kuhli Loach when I realized I didn't want a group in my stocking, and shouldn't keep just one singly. Returning Tiger Barbs and Killifish that raised hell to my other fish. Giving away Albino Corydoras when I realized they were huge and out-of-scale to my mainly small stock. And returning Neon Tetras, Glowlight Tetras, Pygmy Gouramis, and Dwarf Chain Loaches which enjoyed munching on my shrimp way too much. On the saltwater side, I bought a shrimp who decimated my coral who needed to go.

Again, maybe it's just me, because while I love animals, and I work my hardest to provide the best environment possible, I feel no emotional attachment to any of my fish. But I think every dedicated fishkeeper has to let go sometimes - often numerous times. It both helps the fish, and it helps us avoid "multi-tank syndrome" from getting too out of hand.

 

[jourdy288]

Alright, I understand. I will get a tank of proper size when I can, since I know of one person who can care for him, but I am not sure if they will be able to add the aother tank. Also, I am pretty sure that I can't return him, I lost the recipt. I will make sure he gets proper care when I get the proper sized tank. However, since I get the right new tank yet, I'm going to go with B until D, rehoming him in a twenty gallon with new friends, and do a little more research on fish that need groups.

To all who helped me, despite my stubborness,

JC

 

[jourdy288]

ADFs?

 

[jourdy288]

Hello?

 

[jourdy288]

Hello?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi jourdy288

I've had bettas with corys, even bronze C. aeneus several times and them best I can tell you is that sometimes it may work out and sometimes it won't. The thread you saw is questionable at best.

Some time ago I had a betta named Ruby and he got along wonderfully with his cory tankmates. He even learned to feed off the bottom and sometimes shared their cave with them. He was my first betta and I loved this fish.

After him came several others that did not fare as well.

The problem with keeping them together is not just a matter of temperament, but one of environment. Bronze (C. aeneus) corys come from cool free flowing rivers and bettas do best in still warm ponds. Corys can manage a strong current from the filters, but if it is good for them, it will probably push the weaker bettas around. While even the shorter finned females might seem to like it, they will tire easily, wear themselves out fighting it, and have a shortened lifespan.

If you keep the filter movement slow, and the water warm, the corys will not thrive. If any of the bettas has a less than cheerful disposition, that will also stress the corys.

Corys are a schooling fish which means that they MUST be kept as a group. At the very least, please keep several of them. If you have only one now and get another, watch when you introduce them. They will be so happy to see each other!

I think you might like to see the first link on the following thread. It will give you a better idea of the way cory live in their natural habitat.

http/www.fishforums.net/content/Corydora...-In-The-Amazon/

 

[jourdy288]

Thank you Inchworm, I had that feeling about the current and temperature. I have heard ADFs are acceptable, what about oto cats?

 

[eb2]

Hi jourdy288

I've had bettas with corys, even bronze C. aeneus several times and them best I can tell you is that sometimes it may work out and sometimes it won't. The thread you saw is questionable at best.

Some time ago I had a betta named Ruby and he got along wonderfully with his cory tankmates. He even learned to feed off the bottom and sometimes shared their cave with them. He was my first betta and I loved this fish.

After him came several others that did not fare as well.

The problem with keeping them together is not just a matter of temperament, but one of environment. Bronze (C. aeneus) corys come from cool free flowing rivers and bettas do best in still warm ponds. Corys can manage a strong current from the filters, but if it is good for them, it will probably push the weaker bettas around. While even the shorter finned females might seem to like it, they will tire easily, wear themselves out fighting it, and have a shortened lifespan.

If you keep the filter movement slow, and the water warm, the corys will not thrive. If any of the bettas has a less than cheerful disposition, that will also stress the corys.


thanks for this info, someone told me to put corys with my Betta too

Corys are a schooling fish which means that they MUST be kept as a group. At the very least, please keep several of them. If you have only one now and get another, watch when you introduce them. They will be so happy to see each other!

I think you might like to see the first link on the following thread. It will give you a better idea of the way cory live in their natural habitat.

[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/content/Corydora...-In-The-Amazon/"]http/www.fishforums.net/content/Corydora...-In-The-Amazon/[/URL]

 

[Inchworm]

Hi jourdy288

I've heard of some of the members keeping African Dwarf Frogs (ADCs) with bettas, but I think it depends on the betta's disposition. Of course, if the betta didn't like it, it could be easily re-homed in just a gallon or two of water. They are strong jumpers for their size and can get out of surprisingly small spaces. If you get any of them, do be sure the tank is well covered.

Do you know how to tell the difference between them and the much larger African Clawed Frogs?

It would probably be best if you asked about the otos in the Plecos and other Loricarids section. I've never kept them with bettas.

 

[jourdy288]

Hi jourdy288

I've heard of some of the members keeping African Dwarf Frogs (ADCs) with bettas, but I think it depends on the betta's disposition. Of course, if the betta didn't like it, it could be easily re-homed in just a gallon or two of water. They are strong jumpers for their size and can get out of surprisingly small spaces. If you get any of them, do be sure the tank is well covered.

Do you know how to tell the difference between them and the much larger African Clawed Frogs?

It would probably be best if you asked about the otos in the Plecos and other Loricarids section. I've never kept them with bettas.

Yikes! African Dwarf Clawed?!?! Anyhow, I think one has toe webbing and one doesn't.

Today, I took my one white cloud (will get more) and moved him in with the bettas. They aren't displaying aggression, no fin nipping, he's pretty much ignored.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi jourdy288

Oops! I never could type very well! Sorry if I shocked you.

FYI, the little ADFs have "hands" that look rounded, like they are wearing mittens. The bigger ACFs have very separate and distinct pointy "fingers." There are no albino ADFs, so if you see one called that you will know better.

So you are going to try keeping minnows with your bettas?