New tank

[eskieluvr]

I'm thinking about starting a new betta tank. I've had a couple of betta's over the past few years. The last one when my now ex-husband brought him home from work. Actually, his co-worker brought him home because another fish in the tank was eating his fins. Apparently, whatever he had him in flipped over in the car and spilled out. He didn't notice until he got to my house. It's a good 40 minute drive. The betta was still alive, and lived a year after that. Since then, I have been amazed at the resiliance of Betta's. I'd like to get a new 10 gallon and set it up with plants and other fish. I was thinking neons. What kind of plants/other decor do betta's like? Is their a good site I could go to to read up about betta's.

amanda

 

[juliethegr8t]

You'd be surprised by the compatibility of Bettas in a community tank. Of course you can only keep one male betta in with these fish, and also - it's all going to depend on the fish you have when concerning how well they get along. Some bettas just won't tolerate having tankmates, and sometimes they will totally ignore the other fish.

You could probably keep your Betta in your aquarium with Platies, Mollies, Swordtails, Angel Fish, Danios, Gouramis, Bala Sharks, Clown Loaches, Corys, or a Pleco. However, make sure you research these fish to see what will fit in whatever tank you decide in. You don't want to overcrowd your tank, especially with a Betta, who can be territorial. And I'm not sure I would go with neons, they may be a little small and fragile.

Bettas enjoy live plants, such as Java Ferns or some Aponogeton plants.

Search the web and you'll find plenty of good sites about bettas. Have fun!

 

[jaywings19]

You could probably keep your Betta in your aquarium with Platies, Mollies, Swordtails, Angel Fish, Danios, Gouramis, Bala Sharks, Clown Loaches, Corys, or a Pleco.

I believe Angel Fish are a definite no-no with Bettas. Not sure if Danios and/or Mollies would be a good fit either from what I've read.

Cories and Plecos seems to be good tankmates since they are bottom-dwellers. However, be mindful of the type of pleco you might buy... some of them get really large.

 

[shimanocono]

From what I've heard Gouramis also arn't good with bettas. Just try and stay away from colourfull big finned fish that the betta might mistake as a threat.

 

[Mollymomma]

jaywings19

Mollies are okay ( mine are * crossed finger's now that I have jinxed myself* )
My danio's have been okay with my betta but they tend to be a bit much for him at times zipping all around. Every betta breeder I have talked to so far swears by cory's & smaller breeds of plec's. Rubberlipped are one of the most often mentioned.

Good Luck

 

[eskieluvr]

Since I'm doing small tank, I certainly don't want to overcrowd. I know that I'd like some live plants, a betta, and a small community of fish. I have 3 50+ tanks right now, each with an oscar and a pleco. I've had mollies, as a child. I did Gourami's a few years ago, and really didn't get a lot of pleasure out of that tank. I want to try something new, but certainly want to do the research first.

Amanda

 

[Lipreader]

No neon or Angel fish. Mollies are fine, guppies are fine, you can also put in black skirt tetra in. For bottom feeder, you can have like albino cory(make sure you have more than one cory). Albino cory will stay small(which will allow you to have more fish if you wanted).

I have a 5.5 gal tank with two black skirt tetra(they like to be in group of two or more), two albino cory(they are great cleaning crews), one male guppy(my female died after birth and will have a new buddy for him) and a red beautiful male betta. They all live like one big happy family. I've learned that betta actually like big space and they are so beautiful when they swim back and forth. I would put in a betta last. First add whatever fish you want, then add the betta. That is what I did and its going fine. I think if you had a betta already in there, he might be more bossy because he was used to having a whole tank to himself and now he has to share.

It's mainly a risk to take. You just have to try it out and see which fish works well. They all have different personality and they can clash. Keep an eye on them and if it doesn't work out, make sure you have a back up plan(another tank) or take something back.

Good luck!

 

[MarkF]

Beware Bettas and Guppys - my local store said no prob and within 48 hrs the betta was terrorising the Blue Guppys and nipping the tails. My Gouramis were fine with the bettas and same with the Mollys. Everyone though says Neons are a def no as they will nip the Bettas.

 

[Liz05]

Watch the gouami's, mine didn't take well to a community betta. Bettas see guppies, especially males, as competition because of their long, bright fins. My mollies, though, were fine too. Good luck!

 

[canis_lupus]

I've had really bad experience with guppies and a betta my betta ate all the tails and fins off six or so guppies (young ones i had raised since birth)

 

[gi4get]

providing any smaller fish with plenty of hiding space might help with the guppy nipping. i think bettas and gouramis really depend on the personality of the fish. i've seen a betta mixed in with a couple gouramis. he did show off before them and flare a bit but never nipped. eventually he got bored and moved on to bugging another fish. i hope that, whatever you choose to do, it works out for you. best of luck with your fish and new bettas!