Adding a Betta

[Gamblet]

I have a 108 (about 28 US gallons) litre tank that is currently cycling. In it are 5 healthy (by appearance) zebra danios. Some of you might have seen my other post in the newbie forums...

What I'm asking here is, would it be OK to put a betta in there? I'm pretty sure it wouldn't go for the danios, but I need to make sure that the tank could take it.

[odessa]

I think the take will be fine and so sill your Danios. Just make sure the Danios dont go nipping on your Bettas fins could be tempting for them.

[wetmanNY]

You don't need us to tell you that you should wait until ammonia and nitrite levels are both undetectable before adding any more fish to your cycling tank. Some people would say that a fishless cycle would have been better than using fish for cycling in the first place.

Prepare for your betta, when he eventually comes, with some floating plants to give him reassuring overhead cover.

[125gJoe]

From what I have seen, Bettas need calm water..

[Tyler718]

I have a betta in a tank with 4 zebra danios and 1 african dwarf frog. I haven't had any problems with them. This setup has been going now for about 1 1/2 years.

80gJoe brought up a good point. Betta's don't prefer fast moving water. So don't have a lot of current. Also you will want to put a pre-filter over the intake of your filter. It will possibly tear the betta's finnage.

[Gamblet]

Thanks for all your advice. I decided to not go for the betta, as I want to transform the tank into a cichlid one when the cycle is finished, and a fighter would be unsuitable. I thought I could put it in my brother's old 5 gal, but I'd have to buy another filter, air pump, more gravel etc... money better spent on the big tank :)