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Oh, I know this has been asked a hundred times before, but I'd still feel more comfortable if I knew what others had personally gone through.

I have a cycled 5 gallon with one mystery snail and one semi-aggressive male betta. He harrassed an albino cory cat to the point that there was no saving her. (I tried! But it seems I waited too long...)

The problem is, now the tank seems really empty. I put in more floating plastic plants, and the betta just sticks to hanging out in them, and nothing is moving at the bottom of the tank. The cory catfish was one of my (real) cat's favorite thing in the world to watch. Now Merlin doesn't seem to have much interest in the tank at all.

Is there anything I can safely put in my tank? It doesn't have to be a bottom feeder. I know catfish are pretty much out of the question - the betta likes to hunt them now.... I've seen those little albino frogs that are just so cute. I'd like to have one of those, but I'm not sure how they would do with each other, seeing as how both need to go to the surface for air.

Or is there any kind of feeder-animals for bettas available that could provide some entertainment and keep the betta happy? I've had ghost shrimp, and I really love them, but every time I and my friend tried them (from two different lfs) we experianced some sort of fungal/bacterial infection that killed off our fish!

Any advice is welcome. If you guys say not a good idea - I'll listen. I got this betta as just a little tiny guy, so I'll hopefully have him for a few years to come - I want him to stay happy and healthy!

Last edited by wodesorel at 10-Aug-2005 13:22

Last edited by wodesorel at 10-Aug-2005 17:30

I would leave him on his own, especially in a 5 gal. tank.


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Bettas really don't need tank mates. He will be fine on his own. If it looks too empty, a male betta will do fine in a two gallon bowl (with a small heater) and you could use the five gallon for something else. There is a list of suggestions on another post, for a five gallon. I am sure, however, the betta loves the five gallon.

can you fit a heater in a 2 gallon bowl?

I'd be too worried about frying him! (Although in this heat I've had to ice down my 5-gallon a few times because the water temp has risen to almost 90.)

I can't go anything smaller than a 5 gallon anyways. I have 4 cats, one of which is 20 pounds. He can actually move the 5 gallon if he gets excited enough - he could probably toss a 2 gallon around like it was nothing!

I think I'm going to go with ghost shrimp. That way he can hunt them down if he feels so inclined and I won't feel bad about it. I found another pet shop that carries them, and I'll qt them this time. Hopefully there won't be any infections.

Also, there is an lfs near me that occasionally gets in freshwater clams, so I think I might try that, too, if I can time it right.

Last edited by wodesorel at 11-Aug-2005 14:40

Last edited by wodesorel at 11-Aug-2005 14:41

Believe it or not, they do make small heaters for two gallon bowls. I bought a couple of them last winter, when I was having problems keeping mine warm. They have temperature settings just like the ones made for larger tanks - have had no problems with them. Any heater made for a two to five gallon tank will work, just don't use them on anything smaller than two gallons. Also, make sure you have a tank thermometer to make sure everything is working properly - not overheating.
I don't recommend thost tiny heaters WalMart sells, however, as they have no thermostat.

You have you mind made up, but I did notice something in one of your posts. That you have used ice to cool your tank. I don't know if you have heard this before but cooling with ice makes uneven heating a huge problem, which can lead to Ick and more.


You can try a fan pointed to your tank, Or Very slow water changes with the water being 1 degree off, if its any more then 1 off you will have the same problem.



Thought I would let you know
Angel Eel