Yet another betta question...

[Aussie_hippie_2]

Would my betta coexist in my 29 gallon community tank? He's very placid and I kind of need a fish to keep the neons shoaling a bit more. Other then neons there are a few guppies (he's good with these I know) but I'm concerned about the 2 bolivian rams. There are also a few cories.

[Aussie_hippie_2]

Oh and I'm not opposed to getting a female or two instead. Infact that might be preffered.

[KeithL]

My beta is in a community tank with neons and he doesn't concern them enough to get them to shoal. I suppose it would depend on the Beta, but mine seems to be a lover, not a fighter.

[Tommy Gun]

I would say that it has to do with your betta's personality if it will help create enough fear in your tank to keep the neon's in a tighter group. Bettas naturally live in small bodies of water, so some may experience shock by being kept in a larger tank. I wouldnt find it too odd that your is hiding alot and I would keep some dense fake plants or real ones that grow or are near the surface of the water to provide some cover for your betta. Your neons will like the plants as well. I might also try to keep the lighting in your tank a bit lower or offer 'shaded areas' in your tank. The neons will like that situation more.

[NinjaPirate]

Females would probably work better. Less chance of issues with them between the other fish, and they're still large enough to intimidate the neons.

[Aussie_hippie_2]

OK, thanks. In my experience females seem to be a bit braver anyway. Oh and I forgot to mention that this is a planted tank, and when I get the lighting system in a few weeks it should really take off.

[Aussie_hippie_2]

OK, so I just got a lovely blue and yellow male. None of the females looked like they'd scare anything (they were smaller then some of my guppies) and this male was so beautiful. Right now he's being very peaceful and is handling it all very well. And the neons are shoaling fairly tightly too.