are cardinal tetra betta proof?

Linda S

Linda S

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Sep 6, 2009
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Killeen, TX
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Linda Sholly
When I got my neons a few years back I added a betta, and I woke up to a fat betta and no neons,so,since cardinals are bigger fish are they safe with a betta? What about angel fish, are they safe with a betta or will the betta go for the fins? I'm setting up a new tank in a few weeks and am just throwing out some ideas. I plan on looking at fish from LiveAquaria.com, and thatfishplace.com just to see what I might like I'm planning on it being another planted tank, with driftwood.
 
I don't think I've ever heard of a betta eating any fish more than like 1/4 inch long, are you sure it was the betta? To answer your question, yes, cardinals should be fine, but I wouldn't imagine a betta being able to eat a neon or cardinal.
 
There is no guarantee that any two fish will get along, especially when you're combining fish that have some aggressive tendencies. Bettas can be good community fish, and in fact, typically they are the ones who get beat up vs. being the ones beating others up due to their long fins and slower swimming. I would be more worried about the cardinal tetras nipping at the bettas fins than I would be about the betta going after the cardinals. As for combining with an Angel, I'm not sure I'd do that. I think the two would find each other to be competition, unless the tank is very large. I didn't see what size tank you're planning to set up, but I would say anything under 40 gallons (long, not tall) would be problematic with combining the betta and the angel fish. JMO of course though.

There are plenty of other community fish that would work well. Angels are typically territorial and need to be with fish that will stand up for themselves if need be. Also, be sure to provide plenty of plants and hiding places so that each fish can set up its own territory (again, this is where having enough tank space comes in).
 
actually after looking at fish photos and information I'm leaning toward celestial pearl danios and american flag fish with elegans corys It's a 29 I will have at least 6 cories, can someone give me numbers for the other two fish? This will have drift wood with java moss,and anubias nan on the pieces, and I have jungle vals, corkscrew vals and crypt ponderfloria(sp?)
 
Typically you don't want to mix brightly colored fish (like killifish aka american flag fish) with the betta. I think your setup will be fine if you eliminate the betta from your plans.

Is this a 29 gallon tall or long? If long, you'll be able to have more fish than if it's tall.

For the life of me I can't remember if they even make long 29 gallons, or if they're only the tall ones.

Anyhow, I'd say 6 cories, 5 danios and 1 or 2 flag fish would probably do OK in that setup. But I am also unfamiliar with actually keeping either the danios or the flag fish. Cories are peaceful, and the danios probably are as well.
 
I highly recommend celestial pearl danios - one of my favorite fish! In a 29 you could easily have 5 males + 8 females...

But, I am not sure you'll see them much if you put a betta in there. They're shy fish and tend to be more outgoing with smaller fish (I have mine with Endler's Livebearers, I've heard White Clouds also help draw them out).

I also can't understand how a betta can eat a neon or cardinal tetra. I always make sure I'm buying the chubbiest/healthiest neons from the lfs, and no way they'd fit in a betta's mouth! Anyway, a betta in your 29 could really limit you, stocking-wise.
 
Flag fish have a nippy reputation, males can be SOBs plus they like cooler temp. Bettas vs angels, angels are more apt to nip or kill bettas. Cardinals/neons & bettas/ angels, hmm. We kept bettas with tiny neons, they were food until they grew too big, then they were apt to nip the betta. Angels will probably eat either tetras if they can fit them in their mouths. Lots of plants help provide hiding places, it all depends on individual tastes, literally.
 
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