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[GoneFishin']

I am contemplating what to add to my 10 gal tank next. The tanks is only three weeks old so, I will wait until after the New Year. But I was wondering if this combination would work. I now have one male Betta, three Platies and a Kuhlii Loach. I was thinking of adding three Dwarf Gouramis to add some color to the tank. One male and two female. I don't want to overpopulate my tank. Do you think that would be too many fish? Also I read that Gouramis need lots of plants. So I was thinking of adding two or three live plants. Any suggestions for plants that are easy to care for would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Phantom Thief]

Hi GF (not girlfriend )

The combo should be fine. Its the gouramis that worry me. The betta might not be too happy with them. They are all labyrinth fish, and i believe that bettas dont like gouramis too much. And the gouramis would DEFINITELY overstock your 10g tank. As to plants, gourami or no gourami, u should add some as every fish enjoys some plants (or so i think). Java fern would be PERFECT. Its almost like you dump 'em and forget 'em. And, they're pretty attractive. Here's a link to a website to a special type of java ferns, same species , just looks different. Take a looky http/www.tropica.com/productcard.asp?id=008B .

P.T.

 

[guppymonkey]

Some other livebearers could work. Maybe some guppies. I have to agree with Phantom Thief, adding dwarf gouramis would probably be a bad idea. Gouramis and bettas are related and sometimes will attack each other thinking the other is a rival. If you want to add a dwarf gourami I would suggest that you get a separate tank for the betta. Bettas generally don't do well as community fish anyways.

As to the Live plants, Java fern should grow well under any light conditions. The only problem I have had with it is that you have to have rocks for it to attach to and I don't think my plastic rocks do well for it.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi GoneFishin'

When planning a tank, many people plan to have fish living at each level. You already have a betta on top and it will have to compete for a territory with gouramis if you add them. It's not really a good idea.

On the bottom, you have the kuhli loach. They are fun, but to really bring out it's personality, I suggest you get a few more. Here's a link about them:

http/www.loaches.com/species_pages/kloach.html

Or, you could get corydoras catfish for the bottom. Since they are schooling fish you will need at least 2 or 3 to keep them happy. Just about everyone loves a cory cat. I have a 20 gallon long tank that has a number of different kinds or corys and one betta. It might well be my favorite tank.

http/www.animalnetwork.com/aquafish/prof...sp?RecordNo=225

The 3 platties you already have will add color and activity to the mid-level of your tank.

 

[GoneFishin']

Thank you all very much for the help.
Now that I have read up on Gouramis and Bettas being related, it would be a bad idea putting them in the same tank.
I must have a weird Betta. Mine spends most of his time at the bottom of the tank. He only comes up for air once in a while and then zips back down to the bottom.
The Kuhlii I only see in the morning when I first turn on the lights. Most of the time he is inside my hollow plaster 'rocks'. The Platies are fun to watch. But they are milky white, almost transparent with dalmatian spots at the tail. That is why I was looking for something to add a little color to my tank. Any advice on how to spice up my tank would be appreciated.
Thanks for the suggestion on the Java Fern. I need something that will survive my 'care'.

 

[Great Lakes]

Unfortuneately, any color would almost certainly attract the unwanted attention of your betta.

Might want to think about putting the Betta back in his own world to give you more stocking options.

 

[GoneFishin']

Thank you again. The Betta is the reason I got the tank in the first place. I could not put him back into that tiny bowl. That would not be fair.
Maybe I will go with a couple of Cory cats.

 

[Phantom Thief]

Hey gonefishin

Cories would be good. im gonna get a few for my 10g tank with a betta and 3 gups.
Guppy monkey, its unfair to say betta's arent good community fish. Mine does just fine with my gups. It really depends on its attitude though. They're like people, no two bettas act the same.

P.T.