Drowning Betta???

[baileya74]

I just bought a 46 gal tank. I have six zebra Danios. My wife has a Betta. My 1st question.
Is it safe to put him in that size tank?? My wife think it's to deep for him to get to the top for air. she think he's going to drown...
How come the danios are picking on him??? nipping his fins???

[OrionGirl]

Danios tend to target long finned fish. They will probably quit after a day or two, but it's pretty common to see them nip.

It may take a day or two for the betta to get used to swimming in a bigger tank, with more current, but it will adapt just fine. Make sure there's a resting place--anything will do, mine likes a powerhead near the surface, and make sure the danios don't do any damage.

My betta is in a 55, no problems.

[baileya74]

thanks again

[Silent xXx Rage]

Not required, but try adding some floating plants to your tank. Like water sprite. In deep tanks Betta will tend to lay on top of or inbetween these floating plants.

They do alright staying at the bottom too. But, they will be alot happier with floating plants or a shallow tank. They are a maze rather than open water fish. They love hovering through roots and entangled plants etc.

schooling fish like zebra tend to be counterproductive with betta. betta are slow moving curious fish. So they tend to get frustrated with fast constant swimming fish.

But, overall its not going to kill them. Just picture your tank like a childrens playground with the children being zebra's and your betta being a person trying to study for college finals who would prefer a library about now. ;)

Also try not to make the surface water to strong. Again their curious slow moving fish who like to hang at the top and hope to find something of interest to eat or discover.

[davidaguiar]

I agree with Silent. I tried moving my Betta from a smaller fishbowl to my 30G and he spent three days swimming back and forth along the top looking for a place to hide! Also he didn't like seeing his reflection in the glass (sides and back), so he spent a lot of time looking pissed! If he's spent a lot of time in a smaller tank by himself, don't be disappointed if he doesn't adjust too well to the new accomodations, and don't get rid of the smaller tank too quickly!