tank mates for bettas

[gunner]

Hello All,

I am new to this forum but not that new to the fish world. I have a 55 gallon tank and a 30 gallon. The big one is my community tank and the smaller is a cichlid tank. My question concerns my 12 year olds tank. My son wants cichlids and wants a betta. I have gotten conflicting reports from two different pet stores on whether I can put them in a tank together. One says yes and one says no. Never having a betta before, I thought I would put my question to the masses. My son is very emotional and gets attached to the fish. We recently were a part of the big blackout and lost a couple of fish and he was upset for days. I appreciate any and all suggestions.

Thank you, gunner.

[WolfPup522]

Even though I have considered putting Bettas with other fish, I have to admit I still prefer them alone. Maybe I'm just chicken, but I get emotional about my fish, too. However, from what I've heard you should not put bettas with cichlids. Bettas are too slow to avoid nips. I've never had cichlids, so maybe someone else with experience with them will respond. However, if your son is emotional about losing fish and really wants a betta, I would recommend keeping a betta alone in a 5 gallon (or larger tank).

[SimonWoodstock]

you can put a betta with non-aggressive, peacefull fish...but i wouldnt put one in with cichlids. i have a blue betta in with several other fish larger than he is in a 20gal. tank and they get along just fine. if your kid already has cichlids, and still wants a betta, i would get a 5 gallon to keep him alone in (like wolfpup said)..or a bigger tank and keep it with peacefull fish. they are pretty slow and has alot of fins to nip.

[TKOS]

The only problem I have had putting a betta with other fish is that tend to be picky eaters sometimes and the other fish scarf down all the food. But generally bettas and small fish like neons, cory catfish, khulie loaches and white cloud minnows do really well with bettas.