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Hi, I'm new here and I have a question. I have a Blue Betta in a 1/2 gallon tank, (don't nag on me with that I know it's bad but it was all I could afford at the time, and honestly I was just glad to get it out of that stupid cup it was in.)I'm planning on getting a 10 gallon tank to put it in and also getting a few tetras, now I know that bettas aren't good with other fish, but I've read in various places that they go well with sertain kinds of Tetras. question 1) Is it a bad idea to get Tetras to go with my Betta. Question 2) Should I skip on the idea of getting a ten gallon and go with something like a 15 gallon tank. Question 3) if I were to get Tetras is there a way for me to tell the difference between male and female so when I do get them I know that they won't breed (mainly because I know I don't have enough tanks to keep that many fish. and not enough money to buy more.

I won't nag you about keeping a betta in a 1/2 gallon tank. I had one that lived in a 1 gallon bowl for 6 or 7 years.

Whether or not your betta will get along with tetras depends somewhat on the individual betta. Some are a lot more aggressive than others. Also, it depends on what species of tetra you are getting. Some will persistently nip your betta's fins. I'd avoid some species of tetra (serpaes, black widows, etc) for that reason. Cardinals, rummynoses, bloodfins, among others are better choices.

I don't think anybody here is going to talk you out of the idea of getting a larger aquarium! The bigger, the better in terms of stable water quality. Bettas are often somewhat slower swimmers, so you may want to stay with a smaller aquarium to give them a better chance to get to food, but I have heard of them being kept in community aquaria upwards of 100 gallons.

As for your tetras breeding, I wouldn't worry about that. They and the betta will eat any eggs or offspring that appear. Those wishing to breed tetras do so by removing them (and any other occupants) from the aquarium after they spawn. Some species of tetra are easy to tell the males from females, others are more difficult or require the fish to be in breeding condition (rare in stores' tanks) to tell.

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thanks for the info, I was just wondering weather it was a good idea, cause I've noticed that my Betta is very docile, wich is strange, he doesn't flare up like other Betta's do when I wiggle my finger in front of him or any thing, he may jerk around slightly but he's kind of like. meh... whatever. which gives me the idea that he might be okay with other fish. anyway, thanks a lot, I've been thinking of getting Glowlight or black neon tetras, I hear that they are mellow and non nippy but I'll look into the others too, thanks for the advice.

1/2 gallon is a little small like superlion said, but with proper maintenance (weekly or twice weekly water changes) and not over feeding it can work. What's really important with small tanks is that they are heated, and not many places sell heaters for small tanks.

Not nagging, just pointing out why we do seem to nag. I've also had a betta live just fine in a 1 gallon.

If you can, go with the 15 gallon for exactly the reasons superlion mentioned. Bigger is almost always better (until the power goes out at midnight and your canister starts backflowing and your husband wakes you up because the living room has water all over it and half the tank is drained and the water is flowing down the stairs and disappearing into the storage room. True story.)
Biggest you can afford (don't forget a proper stand, filter and heater in your calculations!) is best. Long tanks offer more surface area than tall tanks. Surface area is what determines stocking capacity.

Sorry if this is all old info

It really does all come down to betta behavior, most don't like much water flow or currant (you'll need to provide some quiet spaces for yours) but I've had one that just loved swimming along the bubble curtain .
Since you already have a half gallon tank that he could go back to should he start harassing others I don't really see it as a huge problem. Just make sure you've fully cycled the tank before stocking with fish. There are a number of good bacteria starters on the market that you shouldn't have a huge issue with cycling the tank.

And no, you wont have an issue with breeding, adults take care of the issues for us.


^_^

Thank you so much. I think I have a good idea on what to go with now, I just have to go to the store and get a tank, and start the cycling process. did that story you told happen to you or someone you know, if so that's sad. ^_^ oh and another thing, my Betta is pretty docile, at least I think so, he never puffs up when I'm around or when I wiggle my finger around in front of him.

I also have another question, should I put my Betta in first before I get the tetras or should I put the tetras in first to tell my Betta who's boss?

That story may have happened to us last weekend . Luckily we have hard wood floors, and it's the first time it's ever occurred during a black out.

I've never had a better flare because of a finger. Try a mirror for a few seconds (don't make him flare too long, it stresses them out!). Mine would always flare for the betta on the Hikari package.

I might go with adding the tetras first if they're small. Let them grow up a bit and they shouldn't too easy of a target.

^_^

wow, you were lucky. ^_^

Alright I'll try that out see if it works, ^_^ Thanks for the advice again

Tetras fist, got it. Thanks

ok this has nothing to do with the actual topic but i have to say this is the only site where i have seen my smile used (^_^) crazy! i think im up just to late! but any ways kudos babel you are very knowledgeable and helpful. and oh man on that story crazy things happen!

Fun fact: In China betta live in rice patties and puddles in the street and survive by jumping from puddle to puddle. So a half gallon probably seems like paradise in comparison I actually have my betta in vases with bamboo. They are very pretty.

Rise and then rise again, until lambs become lions