20 high stocking

The beta thing is kind of getting a one sided review here. Just for the fun of offering antithesis, I'll throw out something. Fish personality depends partly on the species, but also on the specimen. Are 2 typical female betas likely to get along? Maybe not. On the other hand, judging some betas as all betas can be seen as a non sequitur.

So then, what about observations on different variations or specimens of betas? Has there been an exception to this rule? If so, what are the relevant variables that may have caused this exception? What changes in water chemistry, tank mates, aquascaping and countless other variables could cause something like a loss of agression, a change in social dynamics (greater enemies or dithers for instance), or simple line of sight alteration?

And finally, how much of this does the individual asking the question care to look in to it? Is it a reasonable use of their time?

I'm not saying the outcome is one way or the other. I am rather trying to encourage discussion over making absolutes of generalities. As I have said before, discus aren't in the hobby because of the individuals who shooed the prospective keeper away by saying, "they're too hard to keep." They're around because people asked questions and examined the puzzle in front of them.

Other than that, I have heard that the Y. (what happened to them being a botia?) sidthemunki are endangered in the wild. You may want to look in to it, and confirm that it's nothing wild caught. I know breeding botia can be difficult at times; hormone injections can be used. This might encourage people to just take them out of a river and slap them on aquabid, etc. despite any protective status in their native country. Wish I had time for sources, but I'm heading out pretty quick. I think one of axelrod's FW atlases made mention of it all.
 
im looking at 1 male halfmoon for the tank now philosphos. as for the sids i might do julii or panda cories instead because of cost

preffered stock

6 rummys
6 julii or panda cories
1 male halfmoon beta or 1 pearl gourami
 
Crap. I started writing it before the change posted. this is what I get for long replies on active threads >.<

Your new stock list looks good. I'm not sure what the juli's offer for bioload, but it might be an idea to keep an eye on the nitrates for the first while, just to figure out the water changes. Those rummy nose will be sensitive.

Speaking of price, rummy nose run $4-5 each around here, and the glowlights are about $1. Not sure what it's like where you are, but I figured that it's worth mentioning.
 
What about a school of Black Skirt Tetras. I used to have Glowlights and I loved them.

In my 20gallon high I now have: 6 Black Skirts,5 Platties,1 Gold Gourami,4 Corys,and 1 Flying Fox
 
Black skirts might get a touch big for the bioload and social elements. Are you planting the tank? How often do you want to be changing the water? A flying fox is something I have little experience with, but they have a reputation for being nippy, and your corries might end up harassed.

As with most issues, this comes down to your budget and the time you want to invest. If you're one a tight budget and have little time for upkeep, I think there would be better stocking options. If you had all the time and money in the world, I'd say give it a shot and treat it like a challenge of social engineering. A low-upkeep, low-cost version might involve leaving out either the platies or the black skirts, and the flying fox.

Then again, there are even lowwer upkeep versions with different species that cost even less. Maybe for a tank that size it would help to settle on one main species of fish that you know you want to center around, and then work the other species to accomidate it.
 
glowlites are 1.79 at wally land and unforetuanely the only place that carries them i know about. im not sure about rummys never really seen them b4 till i heard about a new store that opened. i might do blk skirts that store apparently has them 5 for 5$. im not sure about tetras but i do believe im going to do a male beta(probably halfmoon) 6 tetras(in debate between rummys, glowlites and blk skirts and 5 julii cories. it will be planted lightly with hornwort.
 
A 20 high doesn't really have enough of a footprint for sidthimunkis or to really get a good display out of your rummies. Nor is it anywhere near enough room for an adult pearl gourami. Julii cories (You'll end up with C. trilineatus for sure, which is a beautiful little fish), the Betta, and a school of.... Well, glowlights are not open water fish. Howzabout harlequins?
 
Philo: I would have to say that 99% of Y. sidthimunki stock is captive bred now. And just based on my own experience my female bettas nipped and chased each other for a few days before settling their pecking order. I can clearly point out a dominant fish. With only two that initial step would be far too stressful and might never stop. I still see minor disputes, mainly over food now.
 
oooo harleys... i might do them but id prefer glowlites any reason i shouldnt do them? and i decided im gonna get the sids for my 35 and put my 4 bronze cories in the 20 and get a bn plec for it.
my new prefered stock

6 harleys or glowlite tetras
1 male halfmoon beta(have a backup plan for him!)
4 bronze cories and 4 julii cories
1 bn plec(might move to 35 if its to much, i really want one of these now)
 
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