ROCKY?

[alabaster]

Will it hurt to have a 10-gallon with a male betta, some platies, and some ghost shrimp, but have the tank not have any plants? I have acess to many rocks, and I hope to find something that'll look good. Do bettas need plants? I will most likely get a light strip for the tank within a month of setting it up, and I'll then get some java moss. Until then, will the betta mind too much if the only decor in the tank is 2-3 big rocks?

 

[LuBear]

bettas don't need plants. But it's a good idea to have some. From past experiences... bettas will eat ghost shrimps... Also, it's up to the betta's personality whether it likes company or not. One of my bettas, Draxxus is very territorial and dosen't go well with other fish, but my other one, Mario, is very friendly. It's up to the betta whether it will except company or not. And I can't be too sure, but if platties are fin nippers then they won't go well together. A ten gallon would be good for a betta and about 6-8 other fish. According to the 1" per gallon rule.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Bettas don't need plants but live plants do help in maintaining good water quality and cycling, male bettas though don't make very good comunity fish so i'd be careful on your choice of platys(not too colorful so he doesn't veiw them as a threat)- i'd only go for 3 at most to be safe. Personally i'd go for 1male and 2female platys as in an all male group of platys they may turn too much of their attention on the betta, but with mixed genders they will at least keep it too each other in most cases. But with a mixed gender group i'd also be wary of fry as they are inevitable with livebearers, but young fry apparently make good food for bettas anyways.