Betta in community tank?

[Walker Anderson]

Hello all,
I have a Betta that I keep at work in a 2gal tank. Over the holidays last week I took him home because I didn't trust the heat in the building and for feeding him. Ever since I have had him he has seemed very docile. Just on chance I put him in my 30gal tank. He didn't bother any of the other fish, but the current seemed to bother him. If I adjusted the current, do you think it would be feasable to keep him in the 30 gal ?

He was in a tank w/ guppies and swam with the males, and didn't bother them, other than the guppies, none of the fish are flashy, so they would be my only concern.

New years is coming up and I an taking him home over the extended weekend. I am thinking about putting him in the 30 and not bringing him back.

Thanks

 

[bobandfiona]

Walker, I can speak to you from my experience. My betta was the first fish I put in a 26 gallon community tank to help it cycle. It cycled beautifully and the betta was great. He didn't mind the current. Even upon adding tetras and bottom feeders he loved it. He did kind of rule the tank and he stressed the other fish out at feeding time, but no real problems. 8 months went by and everything was going great - then I noticed from before and after pictures that my betta was losing color and his tail fins were shortening. Thinking I had a case of tail/fin rot I treated the whole tank. Lost a fish due to the medication. Come to find out, it wasn't that at all, it was the large tank actually tanking a lifespan toll on my betta. I found this out because I ended up moving him to his own 6gallon tank as a "hospital tank" to treat what I thought was continuing fin rot without bothering my community fish who looked fine. In less than 3 weeks now my betta is brighter, his eyes are glossier, and his fins are growing longer. I didn't even use any medicine in his new tank - just the change of environment was huge for him. I just put 2 cories in with him to help the food excess and he is happy as a lark!

Now I also can keep longer finned prettier fish in my community tank without worrying he will think they are another betta (like some mollies, etc.)

Just my experience, but a huge life change for Mr. Fishy. :clap:

 

[pwrflpills]

Walker,
Well, you don't really need to bring him home. If you have a heater in the tank, you should be good to go. Of course I assume you live in a very cold area and a little tank heater, if you have one (and you should for a Betta regardless), would probably lose the war against REALLY cold temps if the building heater failed...and it sounds like that's a concern of yours.

Food-wise, he'll be fine for a few days without food. People on here have told me it takes many weeks for them to starve. Personally I've not fed my Betta for up to 5 days. If you do not feed them for a few days, you just need to start off by giving them much smaller portions when you come back. :thm:

 

[Walker Anderson]

Thanks guys. :thm: I was just curious about the effects it my have on him. I've taken quiet a liking to the little fellow. I was buying some stuff for my cat and passed the great row of petrie dishes the poor fellas are stuck in. I got the sickest looking one. Almost pure white. After a week in his new tank and good feeding, he had turned pink on his body, a little burgandy on his chin and the start of his fins, the rest of the fins are white. A rather flashy little fellow.I will take your advice and just make sure I do a water change before I leave work the day before holidays.