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Right now i have 5 neons, 3 briliant rasbora, 3 cory cats, and a gold algea eater all in a 20g tall with live plants... planning to add about 5 - 10 more fish gradually. My girlfriend is begging me to get a betta, but i would hate to have a lone betta, could i put one in my tank and be alright. or would a betta really throw off the peacefulness of my tank??

i dont think you should get a betta i have 3 of my own in differnt tanks because they cant stand being together! ive tried it before and it was horrible! bad experience! i wouldnt reccomend getting a betta

I think instead of getting a betta you should complete the schools of the fish you currently had. Another neon or two, 3 more rasboras, and 2 more corys. That'll put you at, if not slightly over, your stocking limit.

If you are dead set on the betta, it all really depends on the betta. Some are angels; some are devils. If you have strong filtration, though, I strongly suggest you don't get a betta. It would drive the poor fish insane.

i have 3 of my own in differnt tanks because they cant stand being together! ive tried it before and it was horrible!

Um...that's exactly why they're called "Siamese Fighting Fish". If males or males and females are kept together, they will fight and kill each other. You can keep just females together just fine, generally.

Joe Potato

Yeah, I agree. If you are going to get a betta then get a Betta starter kit with it or something. I have one betta and have tried unsuccessfully to have it in the tank with many different fish. You could get a really fancy betta bowl or have it in the bottom of a large bowl with a plant growing in it. I would not recommend putting a betta with other fish.

I would advise against it, but if you are absolutley dead set on it, then i'd recomend going with a female. They generally (not always, but mostly) have more sedate tempraments than males, their shorter fins make them more filter friendly, and alot of them can be just as stunning as males

Having said that, I totally agree with Joe that filling out those schools should be a higher priority than adding more species.

Just on the starter kit & "bowl with a plant growing in it" suggestions... alot of those teeny little things they sell for Betta are absolutley horrendous. Most are just plain too small - I've even seen one that actually had written on the box that it could also be used as a pen holder! ... as for the plant ones, plants are fine, don't get me wrong, you just have to be careful of floating plants & those lily set-ups which block most/all of the surface area... remember, Betta's need to be able to access the surface to breathe

Sin

It can work, if none of the other fish have long flowing fins tio tempt the Betta. A female would be just fine. To be honest, I'd be far more worried about the golden algae eater as he grows older throwing off the peacefulness of your tank then I ever would be about the Betta.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Well IMO first thing would be to fill out your schools, six each would be good.

Personally I've never had luck keeping a male betta in a community tank. Problems with the betta chasing/nipping the other fish or vice versa.

A female might be a better idea. Of all the females I've kept none ever bothered tankmates.

Another choice would be a dwarf gourami.

Good luck

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

One time I put a female betta in my community tank (10g. with guppies) and that female attacked almost all of them. She killed 2 of them also. It was horrible. It just depends on the fish's personality, I would suggest getting one and the first sign of aggresstion from the betta or any other fish- take it out!! Good Luck
-kristin

Last edited by zebra at 18-Oct-2004 15:39

~!!I lOve LiFe!!~

I'd worry that the algae eater might shred the betta's fins. If it were a male betta, that is. A female betta wouldn't have that problem. Male bettas, often, do fine in community tanks. BUT I'd second finishing out some of those schools..and making them a bit larger..they'd probably be better off.
Back to betta questions.. Males sometimes are too timid in community aquaria..and occasionally, too aggressive.. but in my experience the former is more likely. And, you have to have very peaceful fish with them so that those long fins don't get tasted.. Females, on the other hand, are generally able to hold their own better and can be kept in groups as well..depending on their individual personalities.

I would think long and hard about adding even female bettas. I have two in a 10g, and a friend brought some of her guppy fry to add to the tank and relieve some of the over crowding in hers. They got a long fine until some of the guppy females dropped some fry and then I think the betta girls developed a taste for fresh meat. Ended up with only one male left, he was returned to the breeder. So think long and hard.

i have a ten gallon with 6 neon rainbows 2 corys and one male betta, they jive happily together, i also have a 30g with 3 angels, 2 corys, a chinese algea eater, and one male betta, they jive as well, but then i have my third betta who i tried in both community tanks but he was just mad, so he's in his own 5g tank. i think it definately depends on the betta, as they have amazing personalities.
if you wanna try it make sure you have a back up you can put the betta in