help setting up a 10g betta tank

[_newbie_]

once my goldfish have gone to their new home im planning to convert my 10g to a planted tropical tank.
I would like a male betta as the 'center piece' and base everything around the betta.

Any suggestions for a small, schooling fish? Small tetras? Raspbora *sp*?

Any suggestions for a carpeting plant (preferably grass like) and a good background plant? some kind of micro sword?

I have a small piece of driftwood in the middle. If I have 6-7 of the schooling fish and the betta, could I have some kind of shrimp? It could hide under the driftwood when it malts *sp*.

any and all suggestions and tips will be most welcome.

Im probably not aware of all the ins and outs. but hey, thats what questions are for lol. So if you think of things I should know.....like substrate fertiliser CO2 injection parameters etc.....let me know please.

[robinos]

Howdy Newbie,
If the betta will be the focus of the tank, why not make it a SE asian tank? I'd suggest a small school of harlequin rasboras (6-7), or espeis if you can find them. For plants I'd suggest some cryptocorynes, maybe some java fern, plants that don't require much light. Those fish would appreciate some floating plants, too.
Over all, avoid fish with longer, billowing fins as tank mates. They get harassed by the betta. Avoid fin-nippers, like barbs, or they'll be the target of the nipping. Although I think cherry barbs are probably docile enough. I have heard stories of bettas eating people's ghost shrimp.

p.s.-This is sounding alot like a tank concept I've been wanting to do for a while now. A 20g long, well planted SE asian tank. I say, go for it.

[paku]

It sounds like you have your betta tank all planned out. I have 6 neons in with mine, I havent tried to keep shrimp with him yet but I am willing to.

[salty0pepper]

do bettas go with danios? and bns?

[fishcatch22]

yes, they go fine with them, long as the betta's not an antisocial one, that is.l

[dorkfish]

and bns?

What's a "bns"?

[fishcatch22]

bristle noses, as in pleco. that's what I guessed. I don't really know either, DF.

[salty0pepper]

yeh bns are bristlenoses :)

[Ms.Bubbles]

yes, they go fine with them, long as the betta's not an antisocial one, that is.l

Right. Some bettas tolerate other fish in their tanks and some do not. Be prepared to move the betta into it's own tank if you see signs of continuous aggresion, stressed fish, or missing fins and tails.

[starrystarstarr]

the one betta i have killed all my shrimp..and i cant put him in my small 10g tank..make sure ur betta is a laied back one.

[_newbie_]

ty everyone. ok i think ill get one male betta and 6-7 neon tetras and some live plants. i might still get a ghost shrimp for my 3g once its planted. ok im off to search the net for info and sort the bs from the truth lol :dive2:

[_newbie_]

i just found out us gallons are smaller. my tank is 14 us gallons.

[_newbie_]

ok im scrapping the tetra idea they nip too much

[gst4life]

etras dont nip.....they are harmless.bettas nip smetimes.

[SubluxT7]

Newbie,

Why not try some harliequin (sp?) rasoboras, they are a nice schooling fish, stay small, and aren't so quick like the neons.

Sandy

[_newbie_]

yeah i was thinking harliequin rasoboras for those reasons and that is a se asian fish even though its from a different niche.

[thesydmonster]

I have rasbora espeis with my betta, they do fine and I love the orange stripe. I used to have danios in there, too, and he was fine with them. He is also in a tank with red cherry shrimp and doesn't seem to bother them at all but I think it depends on the betta.

[paku]

neon tetras never nip anything.... i have 6 with my male betta in a 10g tank.

[bettagurl]

dont get any cherry barbs.i had to get rid of mine because the barbs tore my bettas fins,they are very bad fin nippers he wouldnt come anywhere near them :hang:.i had neons tetras,but i think you would do good with some cory cats or something peacefull,hope it helps.