Betta and companions?

[root81]

I'm thinking ahead right now, trying to plan out my 10 gal tank. Right now, it's acting as a quarantine tank for 6 cherry barbs, but once they are out in 2 weeks, I'm planning on getting a betta. From what I've read about them, I know it's a roll of the dice as to whether it will be happy with companions, but I want to try, if not, I've got a 3 gal that will soon be empty.

1) what fish would be most compatible with a betta?

2) which should I add first, the betta or the companions?

Thanks. I've kept fish for a couple years, but this is my first time looking at bettas.

 

[theotheragentm]

It's touch and go with any fish as each Betta is slightly different with personality. If I had to select a fish, a small school of Neons might work out. You might want to look into a Mystery Snail too.

 

[irishspy]

In the past, I've had problems with neons making a snack out of a betta's fins, though that might have been a unique case. I've kept corys successfully with bettas before. A small school of pygmy corys would fit nicely in the 10g.

 

[Ellen]

I think pygmy cories would be the best choice, too. Most tetras will probably nip at the betta. The cories woud most likely keep to themselves, and the betta as well. Although someone on here does have a betta who keeps flaring at their cories (it looks so funny in my mind)

 

[slotzero]

I don't have any trouble with my bettas and tetras - they live together quite nicely.

 

[wataugachicken]

when i had a betta with neons, the neons shredded his fins.

 

[kjr928]

A kept a betta in a 12g with 3 cories and 3 platies and a couple of snails. They were like one big happy family.

 

[irishspy]

Although someone on here does have a betta who keeps flaring at their cories (it looks so funny in my mind)

I've had that happen, too. Most of the time, they wouldn't even notice each other, but, once in a while the betta would swim down to flare to prove who's boss.

The corys would usually just roll their eyes and swim away. :laugh:

 

[shirlz]

My male Betta lives happily in my community tank along with Harlequin Rasboras, Neons, Red Honey Gouramis, Silver Hatchetfish, a Sailfin Molly and 4 Corys! I think each Betta has a different personality and my Bob is happy with his tank mates but doesn't stand any nonsense either!

 

[irishspy]

I should have thought have thought of rasboras the first time. :duh:

A small school of harlequins would go nice with a betta. :idea: