more questions...

[Ruddy Roach]

Hi,

I've been intrested in buying a betta for my new tropical tank (no fish in yet, I'm new but have had coldwater for years).

Can you get a male & female fish??? Or more than one male/female??? Any other general advice about them would be appreciated.

Also (ramdom question lol) How do you pronounce chichlid???

Thanks,

Andy

 

[heresmike]

Hi Andy!
I'm no expert on bettas, but I've heard males should be kept one per tank. I've seen more than one female per tank at the lfs, so I assume that's OK. Also, I think the male/female combo is a bad idea 'til they're ready to spawn. If I'm wrong, somebody will correct me.


Cichlid is pronounced sick-lid, with the emphasis on sick.

 

[Ruddy Roach]

Is one ok in a commercial tank (a commercial being one with lots of fish?)

 

[DrOizo]

A good idea would to be to go to the Betta Forum and read some posts and pinned articles. This would help you out alot. FYi We usually say communal and not commercial when talking about mixed species tanks

 

[Morrgan]

Only one male can be kept per tank, because the males will try to kill each other on sight. If it's a large enough tank (say 15-20 gal and up) you can also have one or several females as company. You can also keep only females as a group, but remember that these can be just as aggressive as the males if you're unlucky.

It's fine to keep a betta in a community tank as long as you keep the following points in mind. First, there should be no fin nippers in the tank or fish with long, flowing fins (the male betta might think they're competition and attack them).

Second, the water flow should be low, at least in one corner of the tank. If you keep a short-finned male or females, the water flow can be faster.

There should also be lots of plants, at the surface too, because the betta enjoys to live among vegetation.

That's the most important things I can remember at this moment. Good luck!

 

[Ruddy Roach]

thanks,

when you (morragan) said you can have several females as company, do you mean with a male, or just other species in general???

I'm going to have a look at the betta forum now,

thanks again,

 

[Morrgan]

when you (morrgan) said you can have several females as company, do you mean with a male, or just other species in general?

You can keep females with a male and/or other fish, as long as you remember what their temperament is like, provide lots of hiding places for the females and don't try to squeeze in too many in a small tank.