Betta compatibility?

jencheung

jencheung

AC Members
Jan 22, 2007
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Cambridge, MA
I'm looking for a new centerpiece fish for my 29 gallon. I have a small school of Burmese border loaches, a small school of rummynose tetras, an oto (I need to replenish that school) and a couple of cherry shrimp running around (though I have no idea how they've escaped being eaten by now!). I've had dwarf gouramis in the past and they're a contender but I was also thinking about possibly a betta. They're so pretty but I wanted to see what other people's experiences or opinions are on their compatibility with what I already have. I wouldn't want anyone in the tank to be stressed! Would a single male or a couple of females work in this setup? Thanks for your input!
 
I think it would be fine. The rummies may take the occasional nip at the betta's fins, but then again, they may not. The only thing I forsee being an issue is the group of kubotai loaches in there. They max out at 5" and are relatively active fish, so a 29 is a bit small for them.
 
Hmm.. interesting... thanks for the heads up. When I got them a year and a half ago the research I did online said that they max out at 3.5-4 inches. They're still only about 2.75-3 inches now, though they've doubled in size since I got them. Their growth rate definitely slowed down a ton after about a year. They're very active and are such clowns! I love them. If they start looking like they don't have enough room to play then I guess I'll just have to get a bigger tank! :grinyes:

So you think a single male would work, or possibly a trio of females? Does the group of females thing even work or is that just a myth? Thanks!
 
Either way would work I think.

One thing to keep in mind is that not all bettas will respond the same way to a community setting. I see no reason why it wouldn't work but individual personalities do come into play. I would try it and see what happens but have a back up plan in mind just in case for some reason things do not go as planned...
 
I'd be concerned about the kubotai with a betta.
 
If you're gonna do a sorority tank, I'd go for more than 3 females, plant the crap out of the tank, and cover it. A stressed/chased betta is likely to take to the skies in search of greener pastures (generally doesn't work out well unless you like betta chips). The trick with setting up female tanks is to add them all at the same time and let them settle their own quarrels. The more females you have, the more diffused the aggression will be.
 
three vital rule in betta is you can't keep them with fin nippers, same color, and fancy fins!!!There are some that may go along,but that's on their personailty as CT betta are more aggressive!!!
 
Just out of curiosity, when you say you'd be worried about the loaches and the betta together which do you think would bother which? Or would it be a mutual problem do you think?

Thanks for the rundown of the three big rules. Do you know if rummys are supposed to be fin nippers? I think that's the only one that applies to the fish already in the tank but I could be overlooking something...

Generally I'm getting the impression that perhaps it's better to go in a different direction... I know that pearl gouramis are bigger than dwarfs and honeys and can get to 4 inches but would that be too big for a 29g? Thanks everyone!
 
I think it would be that some loaches, the larger ones in particular, have a tendency to be boisterous and sometimes a little nippy. Certainly could cause some stress to the betta...

I don't think the rummies would be an issue at all. Not really a fin nipper.
 
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