Newbie with betta (didn't know betta! haw!)

Hi, all. I'm new here, and not really a fish conniseur at all. I have a 55 gallon tank with the following fish: (At least...this is what I had before this AM.)

7 rosie minnows
4 neon tetras
1 pleco
1 female beta
2 guaramis
2 black goldfish (with the big eyes?)
2 dalmation guppies
3 mickey mouse platys

I know these are mostly feeders. Long story short: I started buying fish for my red eared sliders, when I first got them. They didn't eat any. Eventually I started loving the fish... and now I have a fish tank full of feeders Besides, I figure being new and all, might as well start with some hardy, easier guys who I have a lesser chance of messing up on!!

This AM I did a complete water change. Usually, when I do this, I put all the other fish into a pot filled with water straight from the tank. Today, when I went to put the fish back into their lovely clean tank...I noticed there were only 2 tetras (were 4). Also, the blue gaurami looked sickly. It made a recovery, and I noticed there was a bite out of its back fin. :sad: I couldn't figure out who would eat or bite the other fish. I searched high and low, thinking perhaps the tetras had jumped out. Nope. No bones, either (pleco disposal?)

The reason I have a betta is because I was told it was a feeder fish at a local pet shop by the idiot kid that worked there. (some of the others--goldfish and platys, came after the move to the new tank). So the only suspect I could think of was the betta? Would she (oh she is female) EAT tetras?? and bite the gaurami?

I assume that if so, since this was the first time it occurred, it happened because of the small enclosuer while I cleaned. I don't have room for another whole tank just for the betta. But I refuse to give up on it. Any advice?? All comments and advice MORE than welcome. Thanks for any help!!

Oh dear! I keep the water at 78 degrees!! How cold must the goldfish be at? I want them all to be happy. I guess I will need another tank after all. *sigh* SMALL STUDIO APARTMENT QUICKLY GETTING SMALLER!!

I did look ALL around for jumpers--nothin'! Which is what confused me, I figured I'd see some bones if they were eaten... but I had the pot on top of a plastic box. I looked on it, under it, all around it, nothing nearby to cover them.

Thanks for the suggestions. Any more tips on what may have happened, or (besides the goldfish) are all these fish okay with the betta? Thanks again!

WhitneyGail said:

first...how big are your goldfish, platys and gouramis? If big enough, any one of them could have eaten your tetras too.

How long have they all been in there together?

I don't know about the betta....females are often more peaceful than the males....but that doesn't mean that she can't be the culprit....they have very big toothy mouths for their size and can do much more damage than you'd think.

you could get a tank divider and separate her from the rest of the group without having to get another tank.

What temperature do you have the tank set at? Goldfish are coldwater fish and should be in colder conditions than the other fish in the tank.

If you think the betta did it....I think you should resolve either to get her her own set up (a small 3 gallon tank that you can stick on a desk or countertop would be more than sufficient), or to return her to the fish store.

Click to expand...

You guys are wonderful--I came to the right place!! Okay, the goldfish and platys are small little things. The rosies, on the other hand have gotten quite large! They've been around a while. The guaramis are larger than the other fish, but not very thick. One is a red guarami and the other a blue guarami.

I've never heard of a tank divider. Do you think a small desktop tank like you describe, or the tank divider is a better option? Oh, and the goldfish ARE the newest members--had them two days. The rest have been together in their own tank over a month. And, before that, in with the turtles about the same. As I mentioned earlier, the temp is at 78. ...do I need TWO new tanks?

I'm sorry for the confusion. The fish are not in with the turts. I have one tank just for them, and one for the others. Jeez, I didn't know the goldfish got big. Very annoying when you ask these questions and don't get the right answer before bringing them home. Looks like i'll be bringing the goldfish back. I can't have a turtle tank (90 gal), a fish tank (55 gal) a litte one on my desk AND another large one for the goldfish. I'm afraid my apartment isn't big enough And it isn't fair to them otherwise. Well, thanks for the advice, anyway. Wasn't what I hoped to hear, but I'm glad to know it anyway. Makes THEIR lives better.