New Betta

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BsLuFs

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Sep 10, 2014
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College in New Hampshire, Home in Maine
Real Name
Luke
Hey all! I just moved all of my shrimp into my 10G, and I had a 5.5G with nothing in it. Decided to do another betta and picked up this guy yesterday 10955600_1019958761355622_1327499072133283081_o.jpg. Here's the tank he's in (from the side, can't get a good angle on it. Sorry for the bad picture) 10440268_1019958821355616_304553384827508195_n.jpg Right now there's just one crested java fern in there, and a powerhead with a sponge from my other tank covering the intake. I don't have a heater yet but it's coming in the mail soon (maybe today). I was just wondering how you guys think I could make the tank more interesting. I could move a bit of java moss in from my 10G. I sort of want to get something else for the tank too, maybe a few ghost shrimp, some snails, or maybe some other small fish. If there's anything I can do, please let me know! Thanks. <:

10955600_1019958761355622_1327499072133283081_o.jpg 10440268_1019958821355616_304553384827508195_n.jpg
 

eeyipes

AC Members
Jun 11, 2008
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Washington IA
Betta's are pretty cool all by themselves - he's very pretty. I use airline tubing suction cups to stick clumps of anachris to the sides of my betta tank. They float at the surface but stay where I want them. He likes to build his bubble nests where the anachris floats and rest in it.

Shrimp might become a nice little snack for him. Neons or a pair of african dwarf frogs might work out. I tried endlers with a betta once in a 5 gal, and the endlers harrassed the betta and nipped at him. Finding tank buddies for a betta can be very hit or miss ... be ready with other options for caring for potential tankmates if it doesn't work out.
 

BsLuFs

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Sep 10, 2014
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College in New Hampshire, Home in Maine
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Luke
Is there any chance you could give a picture of your anacharis set up? I've been wanting to get some but there hasn't been any at my LFS or PetCo. Would neons be okay in a 5.5 gallon? I was thinking about putting a couple ADFs in my 10 gallon, maybe I could try them in there first.
 

FreshyFresh

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Jan 11, 2013
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West Falls NY
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Joel
He's a handsome one!

I love bettas. I've recently started over with 4 new young and tiny female bettas in my community 55g. My original 4 females all passed away one by one after about 2.5yrs. They are definitely one of my favorite run of the mill fish in terms of personality.
 

biondoa

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Feb 6, 2015
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NC
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Alison
Honestly, to be the safest, I would just leave your male betta by himself. I have one in a 5.5g also, and I keep thinking he must be bored and lonely, but he is not. I think these boys are happiest when they have their whole kingdom to themselves.
 

eeyipes

AC Members
Jun 11, 2008
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Washington IA
The frogs like a little bit of company ... I had one lonely frog and now it's got 4 friends :)
 

D4213

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May 13, 2013
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I would advise against neons in a 5.5, they really need a school to be happy. In my experience, bettas tend to like the solo life. You could try some java ferns or anubias to add some interest.
 

eeyipes

AC Members
Jun 11, 2008
175
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18
Washington IA
My betta is alone and I don't think he minds at all. I know it's hard to get used to the idea that they can be happy and interesting that way but they are. They like to explore all the little nooks and crannies of the tank, so giving him lots of plants and switching out decor every now and then keeps them happy.
 

vwill279

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Oct 7, 2011
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Vanessa
I tried betta + frog and it didnt work out. The frog was constantly going after the betta's long tail, thinking it was food. And the frog will try to stuff anything that fits into its mouth to eat. This stressed the betta out and stopped him from exploring. Betta + shrimp didnt work out for me either. He killed (but didnt really eat) the ghost shrimp that I put in with him. Adding a few shrimp to give him something to do once in a while might be fine, but dont expect them to coexist.

My best combo was Betta + large nerites. They are interesting snails to watch and very well protected from the betta's attention. After checking the snails out and bugging them for a few days, he got bored and left them alone. If you really need your tank to be more interesting than a single betta, I would put your money into scaping. There are some really neat scaping jobs you can do for betta tanks. I've always wanted to try it but after my last betta died at 2 yrs old, I moved and havent had the time for a 5th tank.
 
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