Betta questions

E

eraagne

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Aug 9, 2010
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I just put 3 female bettas, one guppy (soon to be going back to local fish store) and five shrimp into my new 15 high. What else should/could I put in there? I'm probably going to give my shrimp away to a friend with an algae problem. (Although they might eat her tetras heh heh heh)

Also I recently rescued a betta from walmart. He has white fuzzy patches at the base of his body. Petco associates told me it was most likey fungus so I bought some pimafix. The one at the second petco recommened heat and salt as well. (The first Petco recommened melafix) I just wanted to double check with people here. I'm also trying to get a hold of almond leaves to stain my water. He's soon headed to nice 5g by himself. Can I put a cup in there for a hiding spot until I can afford a full renovation?


Edit: I'm considering getting a albino bristlenose pleco. Preferably female.
 
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Hiah! Congrats on all the fishies!


Few questions about your tank parametres - you said 15 gallon high - what temp is it at? Is if live planted? Do you have lots of hiding places? How long has it been up & running (ie: cycled)

As for what to stock it with - I actually suggest a few more female bettas. Female bettas can be really agressive. For setting up a Betta Sorority it is ussually suggested to go with 4 or more (from what I have read, done a lot of research!) - sometimes with only 3 girlies, 2 of them may gang up on the weakest one. I would think for a 15 gallon high tank you could have 5-7 of them comfortably!


As for your betta boy.. when you said "Can I put a cup in there for a hiding spot until I can afford a full renovation" - where did you mean? As in, putting a cup in his five gallon tank until it is fixed up? If so, that is totally fine - bettas are not too picky about their ornamentation. :) And a 5 gallon tank will be a great home for him!

I cannot advise too much on his illness.. good for you for saving a sick fishy though, I hope he gets better!! Are you able to send picks so people here can get a better idea of what might be wrong with him?

Good luck! :)
 
Thanks for the input Ara!

I have two seeded filters on the tank. It's densely planted with live plants. Java fern, peacock fern, lucky bamboo, and some kinda sword. It's like a jungle in there. I'll throw up some pics as soon as possible. After I eat and set up my camera.

The temp is in the green range on my floaty thermometer. My room is rather warm so I rarely need to heat the water. I would say about 76.

I'll double check my params but I dumped some water conditioner in last night so they might not be very good. As in a true reflection. I have trace nitrates I believe. The second filter should help it came of the five gallon. But I'll be bucketing if the cycle hasn't finished or it it starts a mini cycle or something.

And my PH is likely high.
 
76 is the coolest a betta tank should be, preferably 78-80.

How long is a 15H? I know standard 15g is 24", im guessing a 15h is 20" long? I'm worried that you don't have enough territory to spread out aggression. 3f is the base minimum, 5 would be better - but a longer tank is usually recommended.

Oh, and lucky bamboo stems are okay submerged, but any leaves under the water will rot & cause water parameter issues... Not sure of "peacock fern", either.

Please share pics, we love pics! :D
 
I'd say nothing more with 5 girls. Maybe 1 (female is smaller - keep it a real sorority!) albino bristlenose, that's it. Remember - heavy planting! Especially if it's only 20" long versus 24"...
 
But any help for my sick crowntail fishycat? I might do the bristlenose. I can alway move her to my 29 gallon if she gets big.
 
Uh-oh, that broad striped leaf plant in pic 2 is not aquatic - return it for more water sprite or java fern. Also - your bamboo leaves will rot. You could try cutting off the leaves, but I'm not sure if it'll grow at all submersed. The twisty bamboo is nice, tho!
 
I'll grow the bamboo out in my bachelor pads. One 10g divided and one 5g. It'll grow nicely there. I can't return the plants but I'll just toss it out. I only have two.
 
I do think he has a fungal infection, but it's hard to tell through the container.

I'd see about getting him into a heated tank, pronto! Even a storage bin so you can get a heater in there. He should be in 80 degrees to help fight the infection along with the anti-fungal med you use. Daily water changes with re-dosing.
 
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