Tank mates for a betta in a 5 gallon?

[FairyFish]

Hopefully this is the right place to put this post.

I’ve had my first betta for a month now and everything has been going very smoothly. I had a mystery snail in there with him, but I saw him take a nip at the snail’s antennae and the snail was very stressed out once I added the fish, so I brought the snail to my LFS.

Now, however, I’m wondering if there’s anything else I can put in there with him? I know 5 gallons is too small for any other fish, but I wasn’t sure if shrimp or a different type of snail would be a good idea? Any advice is appreciated, thanks!!

 

[BigJfish12]

If he had a go at your snail I definitely would not try any other tank mates with him.

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

Bettas are solitary by choice, they don't like to share their space! He sounds like a super grump if he can't even tolerate a snail, save yourself some money and heartache and leave the fish alone to be king of his castle

 

[gwand]

I agree with Captain. My betta tolerated a mystery snail but ate my cherry shrimp.

 

[jaylach]

I'm not really a beta person and this is a little off topic but do you have any plants in the tank? Especially some floating plants your beta would like.

And as already advised... no additional fish, especially shrimp.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Echoing the advice above! In a five gallon with a betta, which are a solitary species, the only possible ethical creatures that can be added are shrimp or snails, and not all bettas, as you've discovered, can live with even those. Shrimp are an appealing snack to most fish, snails the least appealing to most bettas, so if he nipped at the snail, he's made it very clear he doesn't want anything else in his territory. A five gallon is a small tank, but it makes a pretty perfect betta sized home for a single betta. Make it as nice as possible for him with some live plants, a betta hammock, maybe some Indian Almond leaves or other botanicals to pretty up the tank, give him things to rest on and help the water quality, and you should have a nice little set up! Enjoy it as it is and try to resist the urge to add things in with a betta. It rarely works well, and your betta especially has made it clear he's a boss boy who doesn't want anything else in his home!

If you want more creatures or fish, you'll need to set up another tank! We're happy to advise if you decide you want another tank, or about any other fish you're thinking about that you'd like to keep in a different set up than with the betta. This is how Multiple Tank Syndrome starts, my friend. Welcome to the hobby!

 

[FairyFish]

I'm not really a beta person and this is a little off topic but do you have any plants in the tank? Especially some floating plants your beta would like.

And as already advised... no additional fish, especially shrimp.

Yes I do, the tank is planted with frog bit floating on top.