Planning On Getting An Otocinclus Or Two...

[Fallwyn]

(First off, I'm sorry if this topic is in the wrong place or something. I'm very new...)
 
At the moment I have only a male Betta named Yun in my 7-gallon aquarium. It looks pretty lonely in there, and I want to add more fish for variety. I decided to just get a small algae-eater or two, and that would be enough. After weeks of research, I finally discovered the Otocinclus, small and said to be easy to keep with a Betta. I was just reading a list of requirements to keep Ottos, and it said that they need a 20-gallon tank or larger. Is this true? Is my 7-gallon aquarium too small? It seems strange that a 2-inch-long-or-smaller fish would need so much space, but I dunno. Help?

 

[This Old Spouse]

Your tiny aquarium won't produce enough algae to keep them happy, plus they do travel around the tank. Yours would be very claustrophobic!

 

[Paradise3]

They also need bigger groups to be truly happy - AKA more like 5-6 rather than 2.

 

[KrystaK]

+1 to above, they get shy when they're in smaller groups.
So do Cory's so I wouldn't go with those (And they don't eat algae)
Bristle nose pleco's also need at least 20 g, though they can be kept singularly, they grow to about 4 inches and need the room. 
 
As far as additional fish in with a Betta, I don't think I'd try it in such a small tank. In a 20 g I would say Otto's would be fine. And in a 10g a few Endlers may do okay, but in a 5-7 G I think snails and shrimp are your best option. And Betta's have been known to snack on shrimp.

 

[Paradise3]

You may be able to get away with a singular Apple Snail but that's about it unless you want to risk your betta having an expensive snakc on Cherry Shrimp.

 

[Fallwyn]

Okay, thanks! The problem is that I can't get a cover wide enough for my aquarium, so I'm afraid snails will escape.

 

[Paradise3]

Okay, thanks! The problem is that I can't get a cover wide enough for my aquarium, so I'm afraid snails will escape.

 
Hmm, Apple Snails may do actually as they like to wander... I found out the hard way when I found my big female down the back of my 3ft tank.

 

[r.w.girard]

Mine used to get out of the opening for the filter out take at night.  I'd find him in the middle of the floor. Cover is a must...  But you could buy some glass shrimp and see if the betta harasses it or not.  If no, then get a clutch of RCS.

 

[Paradise3]

Mine used to get out of the opening for the filter out take at night.  I'd find him in the middle of the floor. Cover is a must...  But you could buy some glass shrimp and see if the betta harasses it or not.  If no, then get a clutch of RCS.

 
That's not a true test as Glass Shrimp are clear and therefore less likely to be noticed by the betta whereas Cherries are bright red.

 

[r.w.girard]

Mine used to get out of the opening for the filter out take at night.  I'd find him in the middle of the floor. Cover is a must...  But you could buy some glass shrimp and see if the betta harasses it or not.  If no, then get a clutch of RCS.
 
That's not a true test as Glass Shrimp are clear and therefore less likely to be noticed by the betta whereas Cherries are bright red.

 
True.  Although, I think a beta would still notice a glass shrimp, especially in such a small tank.  Having kept both with different betas, I found that certain ones attacked everything while others left them all alone.  But that is not proof, just anecdotal evidence.  The point was just to ease in on "an expensive snack."

 

[Paradise3]

Mine used to get out of the opening for the filter out take at night.  I'd find him in the middle of the floor. Cover is a must...  But you could buy some glass shrimp and see if the betta harasses it or not.  If no, then get a clutch of RCS.
 
That's not a true test as Glass Shrimp are clear and therefore less likely to be noticed by the betta whereas Cherries are bright red.

 
True.  Although, I think a beta would still notice a glass shrimp, especially in such a small tank.  Having kept both with different betas, I found that certain ones attacked everything while others left them all alone.  But that is not proof, just anecdotal evidence.  The point was just to ease in on "an expensive snack."

 
Ah yeah they would but there is less chance of them noticing them as mine left Amano's alone for a while and then when they noticed them they shredded them. I did try Cherries but they were gobbled up as soon as they entered the tank. It is all experience though, I'm not saying every single betta in the world will each shrimp but there is a higher risk of it with smaller brightly coloured shrimp such as Cherries.

 

[Fallwyn]

I'll see if I can buy some shrimp. Thanks!

 

[r.w.girard]

Paradise, your betta killed an amano? That is pretty crazy...

 

[Paradise3]

Paradise, your betta killed an amano? That is pretty crazy...

 
Yup, I've had 3 males kill Amano's and all 5-6 of the betta's I've ever kept have all killed Cherries. 

 

[leighton_87]

If you are going to add shrimp take the Betta out add the shrimp then re add the fish.

Dropping shrimp from the top of the tank with the fish in will make it seem like your adding food. Almost all fish will be interested in something being added to the tank (the plac where food comes from). They'll no doubt go to investigate and check whether its food.

Shrimps already in the tank have more chance of being seen as part of the tank - though this will depend on the personality of the Betta