Betta question.

[Waylander]

Hi again everyone. Another few questions. I was wondering if a male betta would be an acceptable companion for my current fish? Would one be able to fit, or am I a little overstocked? If I did get one would it be any good at population control ie. eating my livebearer babies? I have heard that they may mistake male guppies for another male betta and attack them :eek: is this true?

Also, I am aware that cory catish are happier in schools. I am also considering getting it some friends.

Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[echoofformless]

wouldn't chance a betta. Not worth the risk really..plus your tank is pretty well stocked.

Corys are perfectly happy alone, though the schooling fish purists seem to think that all schooling fish are somehow doomed to misery without companions. I have never observed this to be the case at all.

[jm1212]

i agree. bettas are sometimes picked on by the other fish in the tank because they are slow movers and stay close to the surface of the water.

[TastierWay]

My betta did help in population control of my mollies. So they are good in that case. I've heard so many stories about how bettas and male guppies just won't work out, but then again I did hear of someone who had them living together peacefully. It's chance, but I wouldn't try it, since that's 1 story against a bajillion others. If you had other kinds of fish, it might be worth the risk, but with guppies, I'd say no.

[Waylander]

Thanks for your advice, I don't think I'll try it this time then. Another tank, another time maybe. With more suitable tankmates, thats a plan for the future.

On the population control issue... Do pet stores usually accept back babies once they get to a certain size?

[TheZoo]

Possibly, youd have to ask each store. But, do you want your fish babies going to a place where, even if they live long enough to be sold, they may be sold to someone who will stuff them in a too-small tank or a bowl with no filtration? Best to try to keep the fish from breeding in the first place. Or get a fish in there that will eat the fry when they are small.

[Waylander]

From what I've heard it's very difficult to stop livebearers breeding :) . What type of fish would you recommend for population control? And do I actually have room for it? If not, I may just have to hope that the pet store takes my babies and people are kind to them.

[jm1212]

dwarf gouramis and rams love to eat them lol