Troublesome Tankmates for my Betta

[jayB]

We have had a male SFF (Red betta) named Tyson for six months now and have been keeping him in a 6.5 Gal Hex (Heater/Filter/Airstone)

A few months ago we were advised to get a Plec from the LFS to cure an Algae problem, so went out and bought a Plecostomus (only 4 inches long) which sure enough cured the problem and got about its business at the bottom of the tank without bothering Tyson (It seemed to give him something to look at / company)

Unfortunately we have recently taken the plec back to the LFS for a trade in cos we did not realise just how much he would poop. It was like a plec with a bad case of the squits !! Every morning the tank was full of stringy poop everywhere.

We asked about getting something else to replace the plec as company for Tyson cos he had gotten use to having someone to share his tank with and were told that Platys would be fine.

We ended up getting 6 Platys as trade in for the plec (2 Males 4 Female)

I put a pair in one of our bigger tanks and 1 Male 3 Female in with Tyson.

At first he seemed thrilled with his new buddies and was darting about after them, and about an hour after seemed to get bored and left them be.

The platys seemed uninterested in him and settled in nicely.

Unfortunately the next day was a different story !!

The male Platy keeps chasing him if he comes out into the open and is really pulling at his long flowing tail. The Females have the odd snap too !!!!

At first Tyson gave as good as he got and chased them awy but now he seems to just hide behind his filter and will only come out for food.

Is this normal behaviour for Platys with Betta's ??

Are they incompatible ?? or will they settle in and get on ??

I had thought that both Betta and Platy were very good community fish ??

Any one got any ideas ?? Or from looking at my signature anyone suggest a change around for something that would better suit the Betta ?

I dont want to have to take more fish back to the LFS for a trade in so any ideas would be gratefully taken

Thanks

Jay

 

[MAM]

well, for starters, thats too many fish for that size tank anyway. next, bettas really thrive alone. but if youre looking for something to keep the algae in check, you could get an apple snail. i'm sure the betta won't be able to do him any damage.
http/www.applesnail.net/

they are usually pretty cheap too.

you MIGHT be able to try a couple of otos (they eat algae too, and are fun little guys), but i really wouldn't unless you have lots of plant coverage.

 

[jayB]

Do you think?? They are only small

I had always worked on 1.5" of fish per Gallon = 9.75" of fish

Betta = 2.5"

Platys = 4 x 1" = 4"

Total = 6.5" so I thought that I would be ok ???

Especially as I do water changes everyother day (from when we had the plec) and the tank has 2 filters.

Do you think that I should take out the Platys then ?? I guess thats what you meant ?? I had been thinking that but my other tanks are full to capacity already and that would only leave taking them back to LFS

Thanks for the advise anyhow

Jay

 

[MAM]

keep in mind that platies grow. 2inches usually (though i've seen bigger varieities). yes, i'd advise taking them back too. but the final decision is of course up to you

 

[noelberg]

Definitely gotta base the inch of fish per gallon on fully grown size. Plus this rule depends more on the surface area of the tank, so if you have a hex, there's usually less surface space, which means less oxygenation in the water.

Platies and Mollies will often nip at Bettas - not sure about swordtails, but I wouldn't put much past them.

A small plec like a rubbernose (rubberlip) or some other dwarf varieties might work, but other than that, MANY_A_MOLLY gave the best advice.