Betta and Cichlids = Dead Betta? +

devilblue · 02-07-2007, 07:43 PM

Hello all, new here. Looks like a knowledgeable group hope someone can help with a couple questions.

I have 3 small Cichlids and 2 Danios. I just bought a red Betta and mentioned to the clerk I was putting him in with Cichlids and She said they'd kill it. I ended up buying a separate enclosure for the Betta that I have submerged in the 55 gallon tank. I'd love to set him free but would the Cichlids eat/hurt him? (They pay him no attention so far and when he escaped earlier he just hid)

Also the larger danio is chasing the smaller one all the time. I got the larger one first and just added the second little one. Is this normal or will he kill the lil guy? I can seperate if necessary but the lil one keeps coming back fr more.

devilblue · 02-07-2007, 07:54 PM

Hello all, new here. Looks like a knowledgeable group hope someone can help with a couple questions.

I have 3 small Cichlids and 2 Danios. I just bought a red Betta and mentioned to the clerk I was putting him in with Cichlids and She said they'd kill it. I ended up buying a separate enclosure for the Betta that I have submerged in the 55 gallon tank. I'd love to set him free but would the Cichlids eat/hurt him? (They pay him no attention so far and when he escaped earlier he just hid)

Also the larger danio is chasing the smaller one all the time. I got the larger one first and just added the second little one. Is this normal or will he kill the lil guy? I can seperate if necessary but the lil one keeps coming back fr more.

dlee9707 · 02-07-2007, 08:07 PM

What kind of Cichlids are they. Cichlids can meen tang shell dwellers, tilapia, frontosa, oscars, discus, red devils, haps, mbuna, etc etc etc, and can come from different continents.

alexfevery · 02-07-2007, 08:59 PM

about the betta, I think he should be ok if hes not in there with only 1 ciclid. I would try releasing him and just be ready with the net If they start attacking him. bettas are prety aggresive fish themselves.

about the danios,

Remove the big one, rearange the rocks, plants, wait an hour, then add him again.

Tommy Gun · 02-07-2007, 09:06 PM

Welcome to the forum devilblue!!!

I would hang on just a little bit longer before testing out the betta in the tank with cichlids.

Do you know what type of cichlids you have? If not, can you post a picture of them? In general, most cichlids are going to be aggressive and territorial which could be an issue for your betta since it makes a great target with those nice flowing fins. They are known as fighting fish, but I am not sure they would fight with fish other than another male betta and I dont think they could stand up to most cichlids.

However, some cichlids are pretty mild and in fact, the term 'cichlid' can cover a wide range of fish. So, knowing what type of cichlids you have would really determine the survivability of your betta.

Loman · 02-07-2007, 09:24 PM

devilblue

Welcome to the forum.

In this case I disagree with Alex regarding Beta's. Beta's excluding aggression toward others of the same species are very docile peaceful fish. They have very long flowing fins that attract a lot of aggression from other fish. Chichilds run the table in terms of aggression so I am with Tommy - figure out how aggressive the chichilds are first. If you would be uncomfortable putting a fancy guppy in the tank I would shy away from the Beta in that tank too. My inclination is that the chichilds are likely too aggressive just by the way you are asking but the type will help tell. Also what type danios are you dealing with. Some of the danios will simply chase each other but are not really all that aggressive.

devilblue · 02-07-2007, 09:54 PM

Jack Dempsey, Oscar and

Don't know what kind this is.

I'm leaving the Betta in his perch, I think he is happy there.

Can anyone name that cichlid above.

Tommy Gun · 02-07-2007, 10:12 PM

That is a M. Johanni cichlid.

I do not think the betta would make it very long at all in your tank. In fact, I think you may have issues with the Oscar and the JD myself and if not, when the Oscar is big enough in about 6 months, your Johanni may become lunch. Not a complete 'for sure' situation, but certainly a possibility!

EDIT: Just so you are not confused, I merged both of your posts on this same topic together. IMO it would be easier for you to follow this way, as well as for others who may want to help you out.

Loman · 02-07-2007, 10:13 PM

I would not put the Beta in this tank personally.

WolvenGoth · 02-07-2007, 10:21 PM

bettas can be aggressive towards other fish, sometimes you get bad apples. the males are naturally territorial against other male bettas because in the wild where they live is limited supply, inhabiting puddles in rice fields and the like. normally they aren't aggressive towards other fish, but as i said, bad apples. because they live in such small puddles and areas in the wild, putting one in a 55 gallon tank is pointless. most of the time they will not be as happy in a big enclosure and wind up hiding away from other fish. buy a small 1 gallon tank ... 1.5 at most really, smaller bowls are fine if you keep up the water changes. bettas aren't really meant for large areas, they hop from puddle to puddle and that is their way. you can keep them in larger areas, a lot of people do, a common practice is a 10 gallon with one male betta and a couple cory cats... atleast that is the common reply on a group i used to be active in when someone how many goldfish they can keep in a 10 gallon tank... "none, get a betta and a couple cory cats"

i've never had a happy betta in a large tank, so the one i have now lives in what i think is a 1 gallon setup, got somewhere on the cheap cheap. i have housed many in various jars/bowls/things of the like... not very needy fish, just keep up the water changes, and don't overfeed... small amount of water is easy to foul with excess food. some betta food even suggests feeding more than is needed, or safe for small bowls.

anyway, just my $0.02