Betta community tank stocking

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robinml

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Mar 1, 2013
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I am just purchasing a 55g tank and wish to make it a nice community tank and add my betta as he is only in a small 1g right now. What are the best tankmates (and numbers) I can put in with him? I am going to setup the community tank first then add him last so he does not get territorial first. Any ideas/advice is welcome. Thanks so much.
 

FreshyFresh

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Jan 11, 2013
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They do better in community tanks than lots of people think.

I know my male betta gets along fine with blood-fin tetras, zebra danios and ghost shrimp.

A safe bet is anything small that doesn't look like another male betta.

It's a case by case basis though. Some male bettas are more feisty than others.
 

doormatt17

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Mar 27, 2012
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Same here I have male betta in with some platies and some neons and he is perfectly fine with them. I had another that didn't get along with anything. Trial and error is the way to go.


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missmeliss

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Aug 18, 2008
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Melissa
I wouldn't say trial and error... Do not add any fish that are known to be "fin-nippers" or your poor betta will suffer a slow and painful death. Keep in mind though that Betta's do not like high currents so no tanks or fish that require that.
 

shloken38

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Apr 24, 2012
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And make sure there are hiding places, just in case. The betta will definitely be shy at first, so don't give up right away. Unless, of course, there is fin nipping going on.


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FreshyFresh

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Yep, it's said that bettas prefer little/no water current, but I'd think you'd have to have SERIOUS flow in your tank for it to be bothersome to a betta. Or maybe it depends on the specific betta? The penguin bio-wheel HOB on my betta's 10gal moves quite a bit of water and yet he seems to love his little environment. He swims in the waterfall at times. In fact, when I do water changes, he insists on staying in the stream where I'm pouring the water in.
 

ktrom13

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Feb 4, 2013
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Believe it or not but bettas originally came from streams not rice fields. But they do prefer some( not much) water moverment. If your current is too fast for the betta you could baffle your filter.

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