Betta Tank

RedBaron · 10-11-2006, 11:11 AM

We recently moved and added some new fish to the tank, (20H, 2 SAE, 1 YoYo, Jack the Betta; NEW 2 Hatchet Tetras and 3 Fin Tetras (forgot the name), moderate planting). SWMBO has exciled Jack into a glass pitcher due to fear of Jack terrorizing the new fish. I would like to place Jack in his own tank, however, I am a little confused as if a nano, say 1 to 3 gallon tank, with plants is good for him. I know I will need to add some sort of lighting, plant substrate, filter, and heater, but from there, I do not have any more ideas. What are some thoughts?

andy53 · 10-11-2006, 11:22 AM

That would actually be great for him, most people just put them in a little bowl and that's it. If you gave him more room, filtration, and everything I believe he'd be quite a happy betta. IMO you can do as much or as little as you want as far as filtration, lighting, heater, etc. becasue again they can survive in just a bowl, I believe anything above a bowl is treating them like a king, and I'm sure Jack would love it.

Loman · 10-11-2006, 11:32 AM

RedBaron,
Andy is correct that many people leave them in a small bowls so a real tank with light, filter, heat would be great. I also think he can be in a community tank as well (I have one in mine - need to update the signature) The most common problem is the other fish nipping at the Beta's long fins

RedBaron · 10-11-2006, 11:52 AM

That is something that we noticed over the several months, before the move. I had a GBR that was a real nipper and the two of them would go at it. The YoYo seems to be a tad aggresive, but I think that is more a territorial thing than anything else. Does anybody have any ideas on the types of plants, hood set up that would allow enough light for plants, and a filter for a nano? Or, should I just purchase an Eclipse 3 and change out the light for something a little stronger for the plants?

andy53 · 10-11-2006, 11:53 AM

I know there was another lengthy thread about bettas in a community tank, that may help.

http://www.fishtankforums.com/2-fish...548-betta.html

Tommy Gun · 10-11-2006, 07:44 PM

Redbarron,

IMO you would be doing a great service to your betta by keeping him in any tank from 1 to 3 gallons, up to 10 gallons or so. Betta fish can actually be stressed by living in a tank that is too big as well.

I think in your tank right now, two problems could arise. First, as already stated, the problem would be with keeping it in a community tank which holds fin nippers as a betta fish would be like a dream come true for them. Secondly, keeping a betta fish with another large finned fish (a good example would be a sailfin molly or a high fin tetra or black skirt tetras) may provoke your betta into thinking it is another male betta. You cannot mix two males, but I am sure you know that.

Another thing to think about would be to add a few more yo-yo loaches. Most of the loach family are schoaling type fish and will do better in groups of 3 to 5 or more. This is most likely the reason behind your yo-yo loach being aggressive. Since it is alone, it will want to have a territory to feel safe and will be prone to defend it. Add more loaches and it will calm down and be less stressed and defensive.

IMO, and this is just a suggestion, a totally awesome reason for starting a 10 gallon planted betta tank would be to get yourself 3 to 4 female betta fish. The females are much less attractive but in a planted tank you could make an incredible display with just betta fish. That way you would have more lighting options for the tank to help the plants but not break the bank on the tank itself. I have bought a few 10 gallon tanks at walmart that came as a 'kit' with filter, light, heater, and nets for 30 dollars.

Loman · 10-11-2006, 09:50 PM

Tommy,
Have you kept multiple female Betas with a male Beta in the past? I was never interested in breeding the Betas so I have not tried this. I did a fair amount of reading before I added the crown tail to my peaceful community tank and there was a number of people that expressed concerns with multiple Betas even females. I also found some articles that said after mating the male would generally kill the female. A few articles seemed to think the type set up you described would work just fine. Like I said I have no personal experience in this space (I have always only had one at a time).

jd@ga · 10-11-2006, 11:43 PM

Hey ppl here`s what i have done with bettas. I have tried to keep 2 females together and they fought like crazy and had to be seperated. I have seen a male attack females. I think breading bettas are kind of like right place, right fish, right time thing.

Jay · 10-12-2006, 07:04 AM

Hi Redbaron,

As far as plants and light are concerned in a small tank...

You would use the same amount of light, in a small tank 10 gal and under, that you would use on a twenty gallon. 2 watts per gallon minimum so on a 10 or under you would use 40 watts of fluorescent, compact fluorescent, etc. NOT incandescent.

A good starter plant would be Hydrophila Difformas, it is a nutrient hog (sucks up Nitrates etc.), and easy to grow. I am just starting to plant out my (wife's

) guppy tank and am using it as a bottom cover. I use it in my Betta tanks, but have no current picture.

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yes that is an Asian fan shrimp in the lower right hand corner or the pic.

Jay

Loman · 10-12-2006, 07:06 AM

That was what I saw expressed most often. You could keep them together for short periods maybe if it was the right time wrt mating etc. but in general they all needed to be separated. One of the hard things for people to accept though is while they are extremely aggressive with others in the same species Betas are really very peaceful fish that generally need to be protected from others than feared in a tank. One of those strange things in nature