Good Inverts for Betta fishbowl

[boomsticks]

Hi I have a betta (male) at work in a good size fishbowl. Probably about 2 gallons I was wondering if there are any good inverts I could put in with the betta something maybe like ghost shrimp or a small snail. If anyone has any suggestions let me know!

Thank you.

[Yadokari]

Snails will work. Shrimp will be a hit or miss because it will depend on the betta's temperament.

[trashion]

I wouldn't do it. 2 gallons is enough for shrimp alone, but in a space that small, the betta would probably hunt the shrimp. A snail might work, but you're just going to have to change water more often, as they make a good amount of waste. Plus, if it's an apple snail, it'll get really big and constantly try to escape the bowl to lay eggs on a dry area.

[msjinkzd]

Is the bowl filtered? If not, I wouldn't put an apple snail in there, they typically need 2.5 gallons per snail for their bioload or you will have constant problems with your parameters. You could get some common ramshorn snails. The red ramshorns are attractive and stay relatively small.

[SchizotypalVamp]

Be careful if you get a ramshorn, they put rabbits to shame if you have more than one and there is the chance of asexual reproduction

[msjinkzd]

They only reproduce over abundantly with a food source. Yes they do asexually reproduce, but they are very easy to manage. Squished snails make a nice treat for fish.

[SchizotypalVamp]

I dunno-whenever I've tried them, even with little plants/food, they've always done that to me. I didn't know about the squished snails, btw :)

Obviously you know much more about inverts than I do, though.

[Fishy_Fun]

i have a red ramshorns snail in mine and he doesn't bother him the least.

[thebullit]

if you go with ramshorn snails dont over feed and there will be less chance of a mutiny.

[Fishy_Fun]

I only have one in mine and there are at least 10 egg sacs lol

[boomsticks]

Yeah, I have had bad experiences with apple snails in my 55. They bred like no tomorrow I ended up selling some to friends then I bought an African Clawed Frog and she (yes she is a female) took care of everything in that tank! I even had three ghost shrimp I was going to put one in the betta bowl today but they all gone! I had one in the Saltwater tank and the snowflake eel got him before he even hit the bottom and the two I had in the freshwater went the way of Fudge (the frog) oh well better off being alone I guess.

Thanks for the replies!

[Hermes]

If you get a snail in a Betta bowl, be prepared to do very frequent water changes - Snails put out a lot of poop.

Ghost shrimp seems like a good idea - Maybe one or two as they have a very small effect on the bioload and can help clean up missed food.

[SchizotypalVamp]

I am almost certain a betta would make short work of swimming things in that amount of space in no time.

[boomsticks]

Well a little update, I went to my buddy Jose's last night and low and behold he had two apple snails he bought at Wal Mart. I would never buy any pet from there myself, but he let me have one. Seems to be doing fine so far and Lord Voldemort (my betta) doesn't seem to mind him one bit. I do usually change the water at least twice a week sometimes more so keeping up with the snail poop shouldn't be a problem.

[SchizotypalVamp]

congrats! Hope the cutey does well

[thebullit]

cool, nice mate