Hello,
I'm a new member and would appreciate some advice on a tank mate or two for a restless Betta in a specific 5.1 gallon tank setup. I'll first point out that I've read the new member stickies and also used the search in a few ways to see if there's been any previous inquiries on this matter. My last point is that while I'm nothing more than an amateur/novice (whichever is is the peon of the aquarium world), I'm not uneducated in the matter.
I will include a photo of my tank to give a visual representation of my setup. My tank is as follows, an Aquean 5.1 Gallon with a 3 to 10 gallon heater than keeps that water at a steady 76 degrees F. I have three Marimo moss balls in the tank, two are roughly 1" and one is roughly 4". There are four artificial plants in the tank, all of them plastic, one with silk purple leaves. I have standard colored gravel as a substrate and a decorative, cavernous centerpiece made from molded sand ( I smoothed the edges and inside out thoroughly in case the Betta decided to utilize that piece).
Including the spacial displacement of the filter and all previously mentioned items the actual water content is 4.5 gallons. The current inhabitants are a Zebra Snail (which will be leaving and donated to one of my favorite local pet stores.) and the aforementioned Betta. Either the snail or the silk plant appear to cause a slimy film on top of the water despite proper tank maintenance. I've never owned either nor have I any knowledge of either of their impact on a small heated tank. The snail is a complete pain to feed seeing as I keep a clean tank and won't sacrifice the health of my Betta by using an algae tablet for one snail, in a small heated tank, in a room with two skylights.
I went against my better judgment and brought home a blue crown-tail Betta. He acts like a caged lion, rapidly darting at the front of the tank all day. I would prefer a tank mate that mostly stays on the bottom of the tank or prefers a sheltered environment (so as not to cause competition for floating foods), and will not be aggressive toward my Betta. I would also prefer a diurnal fish if possible so as not to disturb my Betta since he's refused to used any of the four leaf hammocks provided despite their locations in the tank (taking different water turbulence into account so as to satisfy any preference he might have) and sleeps on the bottom of the tank.
I realize all of this might make it an impossible task and despite my growing attachment to Kon-Iro in the end I might need to give him to a friend of mine that knows more about Betta fish than I do to keep him satisfied and less restless/agitated.
Please, any advice at all would be appreciated. Thanks.
*edit~ forgot to add picture*
I'm a new member and would appreciate some advice on a tank mate or two for a restless Betta in a specific 5.1 gallon tank setup. I'll first point out that I've read the new member stickies and also used the search in a few ways to see if there's been any previous inquiries on this matter. My last point is that while I'm nothing more than an amateur/novice (whichever is is the peon of the aquarium world), I'm not uneducated in the matter.
I will include a photo of my tank to give a visual representation of my setup. My tank is as follows, an Aquean 5.1 Gallon with a 3 to 10 gallon heater than keeps that water at a steady 76 degrees F. I have three Marimo moss balls in the tank, two are roughly 1" and one is roughly 4". There are four artificial plants in the tank, all of them plastic, one with silk purple leaves. I have standard colored gravel as a substrate and a decorative, cavernous centerpiece made from molded sand ( I smoothed the edges and inside out thoroughly in case the Betta decided to utilize that piece).
Including the spacial displacement of the filter and all previously mentioned items the actual water content is 4.5 gallons. The current inhabitants are a Zebra Snail (which will be leaving and donated to one of my favorite local pet stores.) and the aforementioned Betta. Either the snail or the silk plant appear to cause a slimy film on top of the water despite proper tank maintenance. I've never owned either nor have I any knowledge of either of their impact on a small heated tank. The snail is a complete pain to feed seeing as I keep a clean tank and won't sacrifice the health of my Betta by using an algae tablet for one snail, in a small heated tank, in a room with two skylights.
I went against my better judgment and brought home a blue crown-tail Betta. He acts like a caged lion, rapidly darting at the front of the tank all day. I would prefer a tank mate that mostly stays on the bottom of the tank or prefers a sheltered environment (so as not to cause competition for floating foods), and will not be aggressive toward my Betta. I would also prefer a diurnal fish if possible so as not to disturb my Betta since he's refused to used any of the four leaf hammocks provided despite their locations in the tank (taking different water turbulence into account so as to satisfy any preference he might have) and sleeps on the bottom of the tank.
I realize all of this might make it an impossible task and despite my growing attachment to Kon-Iro in the end I might need to give him to a friend of mine that knows more about Betta fish than I do to keep him satisfied and less restless/agitated.
Please, any advice at all would be appreciated. Thanks.
*edit~ forgot to add picture*
Last edited:
