Stuck on stocking

[Sussy]

So I have a 20 gallon long and Im looking to stock it with a few different options but not sure which i want to do. Opt 1 is a pair of apistogrammas, opt 2 is a giant betta tank, opt 3 is a apisto community tank, and opt 4 is a betta community tank. Which do you think i should go for?

 

[BettaFishGirl]

By a Betta community tank do you mean a Betta sorority or a single Betta with other fish like tetras? Personally I like anything with Betta fish, a Giant Betta with like that and I'm sure if you found a Betta fish and put in fish like ember tetras, neon tetras, harlequin rasboras, etc. that Betta would be so happy. Especially if you got it from a pet store, a tiny cup to a tank 200 times that size! Just make sure that if you go that route, to add a lot of live plants so the Betta/other fish have somewhere to hide if they need it.

 

[Sussy]

By a Betta community tank do you mean a Betta sorority or a single Betta with other fish like tetras? Personally I like anything with Betta fish, a Giant Betta with like that and I'm sure if you found a Betta fish and put in fish like ember tetras, neon tetras, harlequin rasboras, etc. that Betta would be so happy. Especially if you got it from a pet store, a tiny cup to a tank 200 times that size! Just make sure that if you go that route, to add a lot of live plants so the Betta/other fish have somewhere to hide if they need it.

I mean with like tetras and other peaceful fish. thanks!

 

[BettaFishGirl]

Female Bettas tend to be less aggressive than males, but then again one of my males is super chill, and my female kills anything that comes near her tank. Shrimp, snails, you name it. There are plenty of videos on YouTube explaining how to find a peaceful Betta but basically don't find one that's super hyper and see if he/she flares at the other Betta fish. If it doesn't than it probably will be a peaceful Betta. You don't want all your little fish being an all-day buffet for the Betta fish!

 

[Sussy]

Female Bettas tend to be less aggressive than males, but then again one of my males is super chill, and my female kills anything that comes near her tank. Shrimp, snails, you name it. There are plenty of videos on YouTube explaining how to find a peaceful Betta but basically don't find one that's super hyper and see if he/she flares at the other Betta fish. If it doesn't than it probably will be a peaceful Betta. You don't want all your little fish being an all-day buffet for the Betta fish!

I have also heard that giant betta fish seem to be more docile than normal betta fish. It really matters a lot on their personality too lol

 

[BettaFishGirl]

If you do decide to get a Giant Betta just don't get tiny fish like ember tetras or chili rasboras. Even if the Betta is really peaceful, tiny fish with a big Betta = fat Betta full of tetras!

 

[Sussy]

If you do decide to get a Giant Betta just don't get tiny fish like ember tetras or chili rasboras. Even if the Betta is really peaceful, tiny fish with a big Betta = fat Betta full of tetras!

Im thinking of cherry barbs, they dont get too big or too small. i think they are the perfect fish to use if i go with a giant

 

[Colin_T]

What are the tank dimensions (length x width x height)?

What is the GH (general hardness), KH (carbonate hardness) and pH of your water supply?
This information can usually be obtained from your water supply company's website (Water Analysis Report) or by telephoning them. If they can't help you, take a glass full of tap water to the local pet shop and get them to test it for you. Write the results down (in numbers) when they do the tests. And ask them what the results are in (eg: ppm, dGH, or something else).

Depending on what the GH of your water is, will determine what fish you should keep.

Angelfish, discus, most tetras, most barbs, Bettas, gouramis, rasbora, Corydoras and small species of suckermouth catfish all occur in soft water (GH below 150ppm) and a pH below 7.0.

Livebearers (guppies, platies, swordtails, mollies), rainbowfish and goldfish occur in medium hard water with a GH around 200-250ppm and a pH above 7.0.

If you have very hard water (GH above 300ppm) then look at African Rift Lake cichlids, or use distilled or reverse osmosis water to reduce the GH and keep fishes from softer water.

 

[Byron]

I'm curious as to what a "giant betta" is...just a large male betta, or is this a developed variety of some sort?

 

[BettaFishGirl]

I'm curious as to what a "giant betta" is...just a large male betta, or is this a developed variety of some sort?

If I'm not mistaken its a type of Plakat Betta that is selectively bred. They can grow up to 7 inches, but the usually size is 3-6 inches, normal Bettas only growing up to 3 inches. Therefore they need a bigger tank and more food.

 

[Byron]

I didn't find a lot of reliable information, but what I did find suggests the Plakat Betta is "descended" from the common Siamese Fighting Fish, and it is equally or more aggressive. The word "Plakat" means "biting fish," referring to their fighting nature. I would not recomend keeping one of these with any other fish. Same holds for the normal male betta. It is just not fair to risk the fish, either the betta or the tankmates, as it can go both ways.

Apistogramma, this depends upon the water parameters, and obviously the species.