Betta? and new here!

bigyfsair · 02-08-2007, 02:59 PM

Hey guys. I am new to this forum so just letting everyone know first. But I was wondering, can betta fish be with any other kind of fish? I'd like my one betta to have some other type fish in the tank with it but don't know what kind. So can you please tell me what can they are ok with. Thanks

WolvenGoth · 02-08-2007, 03:41 PM

bettas are generally best kept alone in a small tank, the ones i've tried to live in a larger tank, even alone, didnt' seem as happy as one in .5-1.5 gallonish. you can keep a 10 gallon with a betta and a couple cory cats, common set up.. a lot of it depends on the betta, some are tempermental and will not get along with anything, others don't mind and do ok... avoid danios and other fin nippers. all in all the betta will not "benefit" from a "friend" also most snails will be picked at...but not always.

bigyfsair · 02-08-2007, 04:04 PM

Ok so you think I should just not worry about getting other fish for it and just let it be by itself? I just think it looks all alone by itself in the tank.

devilblue · 02-08-2007, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigyfsair

Ok so you think I should just not worry about getting other fish for it and just let it be by itself? I just think it looks all alone by itself in the tank.

Alone is best I think.

I had mine in its own protected area. (see upper left corner of pic )
http://www.fishtankforums.com/8-fres...hlids-2-a.html

Just be sure and put a lid on his house so he can't jump out if you do it the way I did.

bigyfsair · 02-08-2007, 04:18 PM

how do you have that hook up?

devilblue · 02-08-2007, 05:03 PM

I just used one of those tank cleaning magnets to attach the little tank to the side. I'd like to find a way to use suction cups. The tank floats but needs to be secured anyway. It's kind of cool there cause he is close to the light so looks great and he sort of rules over the tank

I found the Betta by the way, thankfully. He must have been hiding in the driftwood and he was trying to get back in his little tank when I found him.

I think you could have a Betta in a large tank with peaceful fast fish (Silver Dollars and similar, Neons, Barbs) but you wouldn't see the Betta often.

bigyfsair · 02-08-2007, 05:15 PM

Nice! I am actually do that. But not with a 55g. What you think would be ok to do it in? I don't have alot of room. I possible can do it for my sister since she wanted a tank in her room. What size you think will be ok to do it in?

( Reason why I can't...I have 2 saltwater tanks, 40g and 37g...a turtle tank...and other animals..lol )

indigo · 02-08-2007, 06:01 PM

If this is about bettas, there is conflicting advice out there. Perhaps experience is the best guide. My indigo betta cohabits with rasboras and swords, cardinal tetras and algae eaters. Do not place with small fish. My neon tetras disappeared. perhaps eaten. Good luck.

Tommy Gun · 02-08-2007, 07:37 PM

Welcome to the forum Bigyfsair!

While I think that bettas do better on their own, I have seen quite a few people keep them in a tank with other fish, however you would have to be really choosy about those other fish. I agree though that they are most likely better off alone, but I also dont see all taht much harm in giving them a tank mate or two....how's that for conflicting information? LOL

If kept in a community tank, obviously no 'fin nippers' should be kept with a betta, nor should there be another fish that looks similar to a betta. With all the new variations of fish like lyretails, sailfin, etc...there may become an issue of one fish looking too much like another male betta. I am 99% sure they should also not be kept with a female betta on a constant basis either.

In the instances that I have seen a betta kept in a community tank, there was most often a corner or area of the tank which was densly planted (or had fake plants clumped together) for the betta to hang out in. The goal would be to make sure that the plants reach up near the surface of the tank.

All of this certainly depends on what size tank you have as far as if you can even fit more fish in there. If you already pointed that out and I missed it, I appologize.

Loman · 02-08-2007, 09:06 PM

A couple of comments. I would not put a beta in a huge tank just because they do not really function that well in that environment. I keep mine in my 20 gallon with no problem what soever though. As for keeping them with small fish I would not be concerned to do that at all. I have also never seen one mistake another fish even one that looks similar for a beta and attack. So I think lyertails etc. would be fine too.The plants are a good idea because they like to be able to hide and just hang out. In almost every case the Beta is the fish that is getting picked on - they are really very peaceful in groups of one.