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Hello everyone,

Just recently got into keeping a betta splendens for the first time since I've never been inclined on promoting how they keep bettas in small quarters. Actually it was a craving of my GF who was marveled by the looks of a red splendens.

Being the hardcase, and softie that I am for fish and for my GF, not sure in whixh order, I set it up in an old ten gallon tank that I had laying around, added some structure that I also had stored away and took a cutting from the anubia I had on the 50 gallon, new roof and some light and presto...happy fish.

After a while the tank seemed too empty and I've been researching on what may be good tank mates for the little fighter, finally opted for two southamerican bumblebee catfish, male and female, or so I think.

Being a cat lover I've always wanted to have this type of cat but had never seen them in any LFS in this country, so I invaded her tank with them hehe.

Thought it would be a good match since they occupy different areas of the tank and have different schedules. Read up on them and seemed to be very peaceful.

After a few days I noticed that the bettas caudal and anal fins seemed to be nipped somewhat, and I was wondering if it was possible for the cats to be the culprits of this demise.

Any experience on these SA bumblebee cats to be fin nippers and if so, suggestions on how to avoid it?

All the best,

RP

Leaning towards the better side of life

Hi,

Just wanted to share a series of pics of the tank and it's inhabitants:

Anubia plant on the background is real, structure and rest of plants are fake.

Remember this is my GF's tank so as far as decour goes, what she says goes...

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Tank overview

Leaning towards the better side of life

A close up of our betta...



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Betta splendens

Leaning towards the better side of life

A better view of the nipped fins...

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Finnage of betta splendens

Leaning towards the better side of life

Betta and South American Bumblebee Catfish coexisting...

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Leaning towards the better side of life

Female SABB catfish...

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Leaning towards the better side of life

Male SABB catfish...

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Leaning towards the better side of life

Here you can see the sexual dimorfism, texts indicate the female to be considerably plumper than males, you be the judge...

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Leaning towards the better side of life

Hi Red,
Of all the fish we could put into our tanks,
the Betta with its long flowing fins are the
very best targets for any fish. Those fins are
like a sign being pulled through the air by a
small plane.
The fins immediately draw attention and they
wiggle as the water flows by when the fish is
moving.

Frank

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Hello Frank,

Thanks for your response, as always they are very useful.

Hope everything is well for you and your family.

There hasn't been any new damage to the fins so I'm hoping that it was an ocational event and that they will learn to coexist together.

If the problem persists I will transfer the bumblebees to the 50 gallon tank to avoid further stress and damage to the betta.

All the best,

RP

Leaning towards the better side of life