New betta tank

T

the_dougie

Why call it tunaFISH??
Oct 17, 2004
236
0
0
Toronto area, Canada
i finally got around to buying my new betta tank. it's a 5.5gal with a heater and biowheel filter, and im almost ready to move my new fish. I know 5.5gal still isnt very much but i dont have much time for a big community tank. I just need to know how i would transfer him. would moving him from his tiny 1gal cause stress and panic, and what should i do about it. also what's a good fish companion for him? (just in case i decide to get one)

any other advice would be appreciated.
thanks.
 
Depending on the Betta, you could put him with a variety of stuff. African dwarf frogs and snails are safe bets. If the betta can handle being around other fish, you could go with small non-nippy tetras, cories, or other small community fish. Gouramis (or other anabantids), guppies, and anything with long, flowing tail fins should be avoided.

Any kind of change in the environment is stressful, but you can minimize stress by getting the water parameters of the new tank as close to the old tank as possible. If you are putting tankmates in with your betta, it might be a good idea to put them in a week ahead. That might help minimize the chances of your betta terrorizing the newcomers.
 
Pygmy cories would probably be a safe bet (I think 2-3 of them is recommended). No tetras though- they need to be in groups, and there isn't room for 6+ of them in your tank!

Any kind of change in the environment is stressful, but you can minimize stress by getting the water parameters of the new tank as close to the old tank as possible. If you are putting tankmates in with your betta, it might be a good idea to put them in a week ahead. That might help minimize the chances of your betta terrorizing the newcomers.
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Ditto that! And it shouldn't be stressful at all if the parameters and temp. are similar. I moved my female betta from a 2.5 to my 5 gal., and there were no problems. :)
 
well anyways theres also the concern about the filter. i heard betta's hate noise and current. will the constant waterflow stress/weaken him...?
also could cories survive without the filter running at night? i have a fair bit of pets in the same room and i dont want to keep them up all night...

suggestions?
 
The thing about filters is they have to run 24 hours per day or else the beneficial bacteria will die. Don't ever shut one off! If they make much noise...you need another filter! They arent that noisey!

Most small fish will be compatible, just make sure there aren't too many of them of any of the fin-nipping variety (ask and people will tell).
 
Bettas don't mind the current from filters at all, don't worry :) If the flow is quite fast, just move the filter over so there is an area in the tank where the water current isn't as strong. The betta will retreat to this area if he needs a rest.
Never shut your filter off - the bacteria that live on the media and consume ammonia need a constant flow of oxygenated water to survive.
 
some bettas actually like the current and will play around in it. They do like having an area of low current, because that's where they build their bubblenests. A simple hang on back filter should be plenty of filtration without disturbing the water too much. You'll want some surface disruption for the tankmates so the water can be oxygenated, but something like a powerhead would be probably a bit much.
 
"The thing about filters is they have to run 24 hours per day or else the beneficial bacteria will die. Don't ever shut one off!"

ahh i always forget about something... now i look and feel stupid. anyways i was thinking of getting a khuli loach or two as tankmates. (i love those things)
what are some things i should know about those. would they be good companions?

i just bought some ghost shrimp too. i heard they're good tankmates and betta's will leave them alone after a bit.
 
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