Stocking

[JuiceBox52]

So my mom has a 3.5 gallon betta tank. I know it's too small for a betta. She dosent like shrimp. My dad doesn't want her to get a bigger tank because this one fits well on our side table next to our couch.

I read that it may be possible to have a single scarlet badis in a 3.5? Is that true? Any other ideas. She really wants a fish and not shrimp or snails

 

[Lajos_Detari]

3.5 gallons is small.
I think Scarlet Badis need to be in a group.

Probably one of these:
1)A Plakat Betta (short fin type)
2)A wild type of Betta Smaragdina / Imbellis / Mahachaiensis
3)A Killifish
4)A Sparkling Gourami.

I guess you may have to change water more frequently.
I know the Bettas breeders usually used a bottle to keep each Betta.
And they have to change the water everyday if I'm not wrong.(if without filter)


Probably I should switch to keeping wild Bettas after the lockdown.
I saw my LFS selling the wild Betta at $15 each.

Some info on wild Bettas:

Wild Betta - BettaFishAquarium.com

Wild bettas are a unique alternative and are less aggressive. They come in a wide variety of colors, though there is little variation within a species.

bettafishaquarium.com

Home 2.0 - Franks Bettas

Thailand's number one seller of wild Bettas. My wild Betta bloodlines are renowned throughout the aquatic world. Franks Bettas ships worldwide weekly.

www.franksbettas.com

Bettas breeder in Thailand, Vietnam:

Wild Bettas:

 

[Colin_T]

I read that it may be possible to have a single scarlet badis in a 3.5? Is that true? Any other ideas. She really wants a fish and not shrimp or snails

No. Badis need a bigger tank.

 

[JuiceBox52]

No. Badis need a bigger tank.

Thanks. I'll try to talk her into some shrimp

 

[ChefAlex]

What about a pair of banded pygmy sunfish (Elassoma zonatum)? They are a small, incredibly hardy species native to the Eastern U.S., they don’t even need a heater. They prefer to be bottom dwellers and are inactive so I think a 3.5 gallon tank would be OK. Pretty markings, some exceptional specimens can have lots of blue hues. They used to be available from Jonah’s Aquarium (an online dealer of U.S. native fish), they may still have captive bred ones. They can be a bit difficult to feed, they have small mouths and are carnivorous. Insect larvae, eggs and zooplankton are their main foodstuff in the wild. Small frozen and live foods like copepods, rotifers, mysis, baby brine, pieces of bloodworms etc. might be good choices with some practice.

 

[JuiceBox52]

What about a pair of banded pygmy sunfish (Elassoma zonatum)? They are a small, incredibly hardy species native to the Eastern U.S., they don’t even need a heater. They prefer to be bottom dwellers and are inactive so I think a 3.5 gallon tank would be OK. Pretty markings, some exceptional specimens can have lots of blue hues. They used to be available from Jonah’s Aquarium (an online dealer of U.S. native fish), they may still have captive bred ones. They can be a bit difficult to feed, they have small mouths and are carnivorous. Insect larvae, eggs and zooplankton are their main foodstuff in the wild. Small frozen and live foods like copepods, rotifers, mysis, baby brine, pieces of bloodworms etc. might be good choices with some practice.

I'll look into it, thanks it's cool that they have some blue, she wanted a blue fish to match the tank gravel and living room furniture

 

[ChefAlex]

Also, forgot to mention, a related species, Elassoma evergladei, is somewhat commonly available. I remember seeing some from Bluegrass Aquatics a while back.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Also, forgot to mention, a related species, Elassoma evergladei, is somewhat commonly available. I remember seeing some from Bluegrass Aquatics a while back.

They're beautiful I'll talk to her about it

 

[JuiceBox52]

Also, forgot to mention, a related species, Elassoma evergladei, is somewhat commonly available. I remember seeing some from Bluegrass Aquatics a while back.

We found one seller who has these problem is $60 shipping. I'll ask her if she is up for it, she may just have to settle for some shrimp

 

[Ben2522]

Neon Tetra?

 

[FishkeeperLinz]

Neon Tetra?

Neon tetras need an absolute minimum of 10gal, and a minimum group of 6, preferably 10+.

 

[JuiceBox52]

I agree neons should have a 20 gallon long, they need the swimming room. That would be cruel