Hate to be the bearer of bad news but a betta is not a great idea in a community tank. Not sure if you can keep your quarantine tank as a set up just for the betta?Betta)) I got a Betta
My ~15 gallon fish tank project
- Thread starter Mr_Harrys
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There is a lot of conflicting information out there about bettas and whether they could/should be kept with other fish. Gourami and betta are both territorial, other users will know more than I do but to me adding two territorial fish to what is a very small tank is a recipe for disaster. A cursory Google search will show this.
Oh no, the Betta will be the only centerpiece fish in this tank. It will share it with 2 Otocinclus and i need to decide what nano fish for a medium school 6-8 individuals. I tend towards some green neons. I also have another bigger tank that will be the 2nd project. And everything I buy, goes to a friend for temporary housing to avoid conflicts in the tank.
This is almost guaranteed to not work. Neons are especially disliked by many bettas, probably the bright colours. Small shoaling fish can also decide the flowing fins of a betta are fun to nip. Either way, the poor fish are the losers.
That's how powerful @BettaFishGirl is. She only has to post on a thread and the OP will fall under her Betta spellBetta
Edit sorry, seen the more serious replies!
BettaFishGirl
Fishaholic
I'm sorry that I didn't say bettas aren't good in community tanks earlier, I didn't see that you wanted one so I didnt say anything, and I am sorry for that.
I had Betta fish with neon tetras. Fine for about 5 months, then absolutely tore his fins apart causing him to die. I will not keep bettas with other fish anymore, but not because I'm worried about the small fish. Bettas can be pretty chill towards fish IME, but the small fish, especially tetras, will tear the bettas fins apart. Especially when they are in groups of 6 to 8, that will make them more stressed and prone to nipping. Also, bettas get stressed with other fish in their territory, even if it doesn't seem like it. Bettas are solitary fish in the wild, and I would only keep shrimp and snails with bettas.
If you saw "pictures" of Bettas as centerpiece fish, that doesn't mean that's it's going to work. I could see 50 pictures of a goldfish in a .5 gallon bowl and then go buy a goldfish for my bowl, but that doesn't mean it's right.
If a HAD to get a betta for a community tank, I'd go for a short-finned female. But it seems like you already have a male betta. is he a short finned or long fin better? I'm sorry to say but for me the only two options are either return him to the store or just keep it as a solo betta tank.You could add some shrimp and snails if you do keep him. Not sure about the otocinclis, as I don't have any experience with them.
I had Betta fish with neon tetras. Fine for about 5 months, then absolutely tore his fins apart causing him to die. I will not keep bettas with other fish anymore, but not because I'm worried about the small fish. Bettas can be pretty chill towards fish IME, but the small fish, especially tetras, will tear the bettas fins apart. Especially when they are in groups of 6 to 8, that will make them more stressed and prone to nipping. Also, bettas get stressed with other fish in their territory, even if it doesn't seem like it. Bettas are solitary fish in the wild, and I would only keep shrimp and snails with bettas.
If you saw "pictures" of Bettas as centerpiece fish, that doesn't mean that's it's going to work. I could see 50 pictures of a goldfish in a .5 gallon bowl and then go buy a goldfish for my bowl, but that doesn't mean it's right.
If a HAD to get a betta for a community tank, I'd go for a short-finned female. But it seems like you already have a male betta. is he a short finned or long fin better? I'm sorry to say but for me the only two options are either return him to the store or just keep it as a solo betta tank.You could add some shrimp and snails if you do keep him. Not sure about the otocinclis, as I don't have any experience with them.
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You weren't to know. You've been really helpful on this thread. You did not know, and he himself admitted it was an impulse buy (of which I also struggle with sometimes!).
@Mr_Harrys a good few of us are following this thread, with all the thought you have put into the structure of the set-up, and you have been resilient when things have not gone to plan!
BettaFishGirl
Fishaholic
Lcc86 has a good idea. How big is the quarantine tank? If it's at least 3-5 gallons you could keep him in there, plant it up nice and just get a heater and filter if you haven't already.
If you do still want to keep him you could get a 5 gallons tank from Amazon and just make it a Betta tank.
LOL- I tend to be that guy- "what? Oh, yeah, I get it!" ;-)
I love green fire tetras- don't have the glowing stripe, but they are very pretty and active.
BettaFishGirl
Fishaholic
Those are pretty! Never seen them before
But not with a betta.
From their profile on Seriously Fish
Although suitable for a community aquarium, care should be taken to select robust, faster moving fish as tankmates as this species has a reputation as a fin-nipper. Similarly, long finned species such as many cichlids and anabantoids should be avoided.
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