Population Question And Suggestions

[jonathanandmadi]

Good evening, 


I have a 10 gallon freshwater tank.  Purchased it with my daughter probably about 2 years ago.  It has a filter and an aeration stone.  I generally do a 10% water change each week.  I forget a week here and there, if I do, I do a 20% change.  I have a male betta, which I've had since I got the tank.  Just switched to natural sand from gravel.  Also purchasedsome new plants, a couple bunches of anacharis.   There are a couple more small plants but I don't remember what they are.  Recently got 5 ghost shrimp and they're doing excellent.  


My question is... can I afford to get another small fish in there? If so, what kind of fish would be acceptable and compatible with what I've got? The betta is fine with the ghost shrimp.  The only thing that happens is when a shrimp gets a pellet, the betta likes to scare it until it drops the pellet.  Then the betta swims away and doesn't even take it.  It makes me laugh.  The tank is kind of bare-looking and I just want to know if I can liven it up with another small fish or something.  


Thanks in advance.


Jonathan 



Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device

 

[Munroco]

Yes, I'm sure a few more small fish wont overload the tank. Your water parameters may rule out some fish but if they aren't extreme then there are lots of choices. Needs to be something peaceful that wont be tempted to take a chunk out of your bettas fins or attack the shrimp. There are many species of small tetras that would be suitable IMO. Pencil fish would fit in too. Just google small troical freshwater fish, find something you like the look of and check there temperaments and requirements. I'd suggest a shoal of small fish rather than another individual fish. I like how you got your sand to float on the top. Need to try that sometime.

 

[Byron]

I would not add anything, you would be asking for trouble.  As long as you have the Betta, keep it calm and happy on his own.  Betta are not community fish.
 
As soon as you add other fish, you open the door to two problems.  First, the Betta may not appreciate them.  Second, the small fish have teeth and a Betta is a real temptation for even "peaceful" fish to fin nip.  Characins (tetra, pencilfish) have lots of teeth, and are not afraid of using them.
 
Byron.

 

[jonathanandmadi]

Thanks for the info. What about one of those bottom dweller or algae eating type fish? Are those acceptable or must you have a shoal of them? Even thought about an African Dwarf frog?

 

[Byron]

Thanks for the info. What about one of those bottom dweller or algae eating type fish? Are those acceptable or must you have a shoal of them? Even thought about an African Dwarf frog?

 
Substrate fish are sometimes OK, it largely depends upon the Betta in this case as most substrate fish will not bother with upper fish.  But here you have to be careful as this is a small tank.  Shoaling fish like the many cories are not a good idea; some have had luck with the "dwarf" species, but not always.  One fish I will recommend is the common Whiptail, Rineloricaria parva, that does not get large (some of the other species do).
 
I've no direct experience with the dwarf frog mentioned, but I have read that fish sometimes nip at it, and vice versa, and with a Betta this is something you want to avoid.
 
Byron.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I'd agree with Byron.  If this betta has been kept singly for over 2 years, adding other fish to the equation is just asking for trouble.  Likely, you'll end up with a major problem, as he thinks of the tank as 'his', and will probably not be keen on sharing it with others.
 
 
There are other options for the tank though.  Some snails, maybe a mystery snail or two... or even adding a few more shrimp (since he seems to be fine with them) would be an option.  Red cherry shrimp (or any cherry shrimp for that matter) would be something to try since the ghost shrimp have lived with him without too much trouble.  The cherries can actually spawn in the freshwater and might even turn into more... assuming that he doesn't gobble them up as shrimplets.  And if he does... then he does.  It would be good exercise for him, and you won't be over run with shrimp.

 

[jonathanandmadi]

Great responses. I'll look in to the snail and possibly the Whiptail. I'm so glad I consulted this forum before making a mistake. There are so many opinions everywhere, but this all seems consistent. Thanks again!

 

[RobRocksFishTank]

An African Dwarf Frog will get big enough to eat the Betta.

 

[fluttermoth]

One thing I would say to the OP...

I know your tank isn't heavily stocked, but even so, your water changes are quite small. Most of us do around 50% weekly. It might be a good idea to have the tank water tested for nitrate, in case there's a slow build up of it.

(I would also recommend you invest in a set of test kits of your own; an essential part of all fishkeepers kit, IMO).

 

[jonathanandmadi]

Thanks, I do have a master kit and everything usually stays pretty well in check with nitrates. May need to check it more often with these shrimp and plants, but I was under the impression that they would actually help.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

The plants will help with nitrate, but not the shrimp.   
 
 
Generally, bigger water changes are better.  Rare is the case where a smaller water change would be recommended.  In a case such as yours I would suggest at least a 25% weekly change (since the bioload in the 10 is just the betta and a few shrimp), but in a more heavily stocked tank, as flutter says... upwards to 50% would be better.

 

[Byron]

I agree, increase the water change volume, and make the effort to be regular every week.  Set aside a specific time/day when you are not likely to have other activities, and make that the water change time/day.  A weekly substantial water change is the single most important aspect of a healthy aquarium.
 
Byron.

 

[Essjay]

An African Dwarf Frog will get big enough to eat the Betta.

 
Just to add that an ADF will not get big enough to eat a betta though an ACF will. ADFs are African dwarf frogs and as the name suggests they are small. African clawed frogs get a lot bigger and would be able to eat a betta. But a lot of shops don't know the difference. Read up before buying.
 
But I would not keep ADFs with a betta. They are very difficult to feed as they are almost blind and find their food by smell. A betta will eat the lot before the frog finds it. I speak from experience. I had to go to great lengths to construct a frog feeding station the betta couldn't get into.
 
And as Byron mentioned, frogs can nip bettas. They see a moving shadow, assume it is food and lunge for it. I found my betta frantically swimming round the tank trying to dislodge the frog that was clamped onto his tail. Needles to say, I set up my QT immediately and the two frogs lived the rest of their lives in that.

 

[RobRocksFishTank]

You're right. I was thinking of the African Clawed Frog but you might be surprised how large of a food item a frog can eat in proportion to their body size. They will also mistakenly attempt to eat something that is too big for them to swallow, as you have found out.

 

[jonathanandmadi]

Bad news. The ghost shrimp have thrived. They are crazy little things. One night, the shrimp went crazy. 4 of them devoured another shrimp. The next day, they fatally injured the betta. I moved the betta and I'm pretty sure his days are numbered. As insensitive as it sounds, what fish can I get to replace him? To recap, I now have 4 ghost shrimp and plants in this 10 gallon tank. Looking for something interesting. I don't have the heart to get another betta.