Bettas

[NinjaPirate]

Bettas rarely ever have problems with the smaller bottom feeders (ottos, small corycats) and small peaceful community fish.

The problems with bettas stem from fish that looks like the betta, or occupy the same territory (the betta will attack anything that looks like it, and will fight for territory) So you don't want to put it in with other semi-aggressive medium/top dwellers, or things like fancy guppies generally.

Small nippy fish that are much faster than the betta are more problems TO the betta than FROM the betta. That's why I suggest you stay away from neons, but can recommend from experience other tetra families.

I have only ever had 1 betta actively chase ottos, and that was only when he could find them, and he was never able to actually harm them in any way I could see. And he was so aggressive he'd flare at the hint of a reflection he'd get from the glass *in his own aquarium* almost non-stop if the light was on.
Cories are a bit more iffy, because they're generally bigger and easier to see, but I've never had any significant problems with them.

 

[Junky123]

I recently put in five small cory cats w/my VT betta. He does not even care one bit. I think he is blind. :Angel:

 

[dvd_wightman]

Ok, I think I am going to start fixing up the tank tonight. Then once it is done, I will get, less powerful filter (I have heard that strong flowing filters is bad for bettas) then if I decide on cories, I will add them in gradually, then putting in the betta, but if I use otos, then I may consider using bio spara (I think thats what its called) to cycle the tank. Anyway, thanks for the help, and if you have any opinions on anything I just mentioned, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Junky123]

Can you move some cylced the 55gl tank? That could speed-up the cycling process much faster.

Ok, I think I am going to start fixing up the tank tonight. Then once it is done, I will get, less powerful filter (I have heard that strong flowing filters is bad for bettas) then if I decide on cories, I will add them in gradually, then putting in the betta, but if I use otos, then I may consider using bio spara (I think thats what its called) to cycle the tank. Anyway, thanks for the help, and if you have any opinions on anything I just mentioned, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[dvd_wightman]

I probably will. I used this method in the 55 and it worked very well. I just have an algae problem in the 55 right now, and some of the algae in the tank is on the gravel, so as soon as my pleco that I just got gets rid of the algae, I will use some of that gravel.

 

[jjanoch]

Ok, I think I am going to start fixing up the tank tonight. Then once it is done, I will get, less powerful filter (I have heard that strong flowing filters is bad for bettas) then if I decide on cories, I will add them in gradually, then putting in the betta, but if I use otos, then I may consider using bio spara (I think thats what its called) to cycle the tank. Anyway, thanks for the help, and if you have any opinions on anything I just mentioned, I would greatly appreciate it.

just to chime in here, I have a 20g for my Betta and he shares it with 3 corries and 8 cardinal or neon tetras (get them mixed up) and for the most part he's got no problems with either tankmate.

My Betta hangs to the bottom of the tank (under rocks and such) for much of the day with the occational swim up top. So the tetras are many times above him, except at feeding time when they both are hovering at the top. But there is little friction between them.

Other times the Betta as I said is down low, which puts him into direct contact with the corries. Again if they are intruding into his "fav" spots he will chase them off, but mostly they ignore each other. But 1 Betta and 3 corries for the bottom of a 20g is easy to not bump into each other.

As for your comment about strong filters (aka water flows) I have the Eclipse II hood on my 20g tank, and that water flow is decently strong....and my Betta seems to enjoy "surfing" as my wife calls it. He will swim up stream and then let it push him back....before heading off to a slower portion of the tank. So while I can understand he wouldn't like the whole tank to be "fast" I think he would miss the "surfing" he can do.

 

[TommyR]

Try java ferns and Anacharis, I have both in my 5 gal. Betta tank. Right now I use a 40w compact flourescent bulb for them until I get a regular light fixture but it seems to be working fine. Anacharis grows faster, Java is fairly slow. The betta swims in and around both types. Live plants also help with water parameters so that's a GREAT bonus!

Have fun!

Happy holidays and new year to all!

Tom

 

[ORKO]

I guess I am lucky as well. I currently have a honey, a kissing and a 3 spot gourami along with my betta and they seem to mind thier own business too. The only thing my crown tail bothers are the ghost shrimp but they move to fast to even care.

 

[bblboy54]

that is false. most bettas are fine with most other community fish. my betta has lived with tetras, rasboras, and platies fine. in fact, the platies bullied him.

I guess I kind of take the safer than sorry approach because I often have people coming into our store asking this question. I specifically tell them that they can try other fish if they want.... but I warn them that there can be complications. Generally, the people asking me that question are "off-the-street" customers and have no experience with fish at all so I try to warn them of the possibilities. I have seen Bettas with tetras, gouramis, barbs, etc, etc..... I've seen a lot of them with goldfish (which is something I really wouldnt recommend because of the feeding issue).

 

[Marinemom]

It has been my experience with betta that you are taking a chance with each individual betta since they all have thier own personalities. Some will tolerate other fish in the general vincinity and other will not. It is also common for the betta to get picked on so I would watch for that.

Marinemom