New 60Litre - Betta, Rasboras, Pygmy Corydoras

[Flashing_Lights3005]

Hello,
 
I've just purchased a 60 litre Biorb Life. I understand that I will need to cycle my tank before adding fish (the tank hasn't even arrived yet) and I would also like to add some live plants. I've been doing a little bit of reading and would definitely like to convert this to a tropical tank in order to house a Betta. 
 
I'm considering the following community,
 
1 male Betta
4 Gold Harlequin Rasboras
4 Harlequin Rasboras
6 Pygmy Corydoras
 
I wonder if anyone has any thoughts regarding this as a "harmonious" community in terms of the species mix and tank size??
 
I also wonder if its common that these fish (aside the Betta) breed and how this is handled? I don't want to have to get another tank, I just wonder if my Rasboras for instance would lay a lot of eggs which either get eaten, sucked into the filter or hatch leaving me with too many fish in a 60 litre tank?
 
I've read that I should add fish to my new tank after cycled slowly e.g. 4 Rasboras a month, and then perhaps the Betta as the last fish?
 
Any other useful tips are appreciated.
 
Thanks.

 

[allydawn17]

IMO betta's really shouldn't be kept with any other fish, unless you have experience and know how to handle it etc. Someone will probably chime in soon with more info, but if i were you I'd stick with your stocking minus betta. If you do decide to keep the betta, yes definitely add him last. If you really like bettas, you could instead try a female betta sorority, which i *think* is appropriate for this tank size (someone correct me if I'm wrong!), but that's probably all you could fit into this tank. Cories aren't really a concern with breeding, and i don't know too much about the rasbora's but if theres a betta he will most likely eat the eggs. Good Luck!

 

[tunagirll]

The tank is probably a little too small to stop the betta feeling like he needs to defend his turf! however you can and do get bettas that are more placid, and you can also look at a more placid female to add to the crew. It's really just a matter of getting lucky. Whatever you do, do not add the betta before any other fish or you will definitely get territorial behaviour.

 

[Flashing_Lights3005]

Ok thank you for the information, I looked around and read that if I had female Betta's i'd need around 5 of them? Would this be ok for my tank size with the other fish?
 
If not are there any other centrepiece fish suitable to my tank size that I could perhaps look at?

 

[RCA]

Have you unpacked and started setting up the Bio-orb yet? What was your reason for this tank? It does have a number of challenges with it, including that all the filtration is at the bottom, thus making maintenance a pain. Also, the substrate is part of the filtration system, thus limiting what can be kept in there.

My friend has one, and although she likes the look of it, wished she hadn't bought it. I know Talltree has a Bio-orb so may chip in.

In terms of heater, rather than pay for a specialised one, get one that you then fasten to the centre tube, which is a lot cheaper. Same with pebbles for the bottom, get them from a garden centre vs the expensive polished ones.

In terms of a Betta, it depends on is personality, some are very aggressive whilst others are not. I have had to remove my Rasboras Espei (check them out, lovely fish), from a tank where my male CT constantly harassed them, yet they are in two other aquariums with other male fighters.

If you were to get a Betta, look at the plakats as these are stronger generally. Also, have plenty of plants so that all the fish seem comfortable.

Not sure whether the Pygmy's would get trapped in the substrate!? It is not conducive with bottom dwellers. Interestingly, my fighter that hated the Rasboras tolerates more latterly introduced Pygmy's, as I guess they are not in "his space/face".

 

[Flashing_Lights3005]

I bought the Biorb as I liked the design, it hasnt arrived yet however and I probably won't set it up for a few months. This is because I'm moving house and I'm unsure as to how to move the aquarium, I figured that this would be pretty stressful for my fish?

The pygmys do look quite small, I thought getting bottom dwellers would be helpful in the tank. Could I alternately get e.g. 3 normal sized corydoras? I'm conscious of my tank size and have read that these fish normally prefer to be in groups.

Id also welcome any suggestions regarding an alternate centerpiece fish if the Betta is too aggressive? Or perhaps alternate tank mates for a Betta in a 60litre?

The Bolivian Ram or perhaps the Kibensis Cichlid seem quite small so either may be suitable?

I'm also wondering regarding fish that need to be in shoals, can you have different types of the same fish in a shoal, for instance could I buy a few different types of Corydoras such as the Albino Corydoras and Fine Spotted Corydoras?

 

[Flashing_Lights3005]

Ok so the Bolivian Ram and Cichlid need a larger tank so ignore their previous mention - centerpiece suggestions please?  

 

[Lillefishy]

Cory's should be kept in groups of 6+ of their own species & imo not suitable for your tank as they need more floor space

 

[fluttermoth]

The substrate in the Biorbs is not suitable for any bottom dwelling fish, I'm afraid, as it's too sharp. And you can't replace it, unless you add a whole new filtration system, as it is the main biomedia in the standard Biorb set up.

 

[tunagirll]

A single female betta is happy on her own, just like the boys - soriority tanks (female groups) are best left to dedicated betta owners because of the hierarchical issues.

 

[RCA]

+1 with fluttermoth, hence the reason I would never have one! You maybe OK with shrimp, but I would go for the larger ones, as smaller ones will get trapped in the substrate! Depends what you ultimately want to keep as the Bio-orb is not very good for most species, which swim length ways rather than round in a bowl. Avoid any algae eaters, my friend has killed too many, despite advice, as they do not suit the Bio-orb. Good luck, sorry not really a fan as seen too many problems.

Set up a journal once you come to set up your aquarium. Good on you for waiting until after the move.