15L Nano Tank Suitability

[maddeh]

I've wanted a male Betta since I first saw them in person, and each time I visit my LFS there is always a couple that catch my eye.
After talking to a seemingly knowledgeable man at the LFS, I bought a 15 litre nano tank, which he said I could keep a male betta with some pymgy corys and some small tetra species. Reading posts on this forum, I seriously doubt this advice as it seems like way too many fish for them all to be happy.
The tank is well planted and still cycling at the moment.
What I want to know is: can I keep anything other than a single betta male in this tank? If yes, what species and numbers?

 

[alstermania]

You can try an african dwarf frog if your betta is not aggressive. Although, you have to spot-feed your frog. Basically you take a clean tweezer and grab a bloodworm. Then, stick your hand in the tank and wave it infront of your frog. He will just eat it right off, pretty cool to watch. They're very commical too! I would say you can put 1-2 (perferably 2 because they are very social). Also, if you get an ADF you need to clean up their skin when they shed with a gravel siphon
Not a novice pet, but can be an option.
Otherwise I dont think you can put any other fish because of the small tank and aggressive characteristics of a betta.

 

[maddeh]

Ah, no other fish at all? Thanks for the response, I definitely felt that the info I was given was wrong.
I know some Bettas will eat shrimp, but is this another option? I will look into ADFs as they seem pretty cool

 

[alstermania]

Depends on shrimp. There are more complications then them getting eaten by your betta. Shrimp need vegitation (love marimo moss balls) and the correct water standards, otherwise they would soon die off. On the other hand, if shrimp flourish they tend to breed heavily and you'll soon find shrimp fry that your betta might have missed. If your up to it you can try 4-5 cherry shrimp or 1-2 ghost shrimp. Don't add them all at once, just put one in and see if your betta notices him or eats hims. You will also need algea waffers to feed them, like all bottom feeders. Also, you need to make sure there is no iorn in the water, otherwise they will die. Hope this helps!

 

[pablothebetta]

I wouldn't add any other fish in a 15L setup either, only shrimp or perhaps a nerite snail if the betta got along with them.

Some tetras and pygmys might work well in a 15 Gallon though - are you sure the store guy didn't think the tank was this?

 

[maddeh]

Thanks again for the information.
Yes, he knew it was 15litre as he was the one who sold it to us... Would have bought a bigger one if I'd known it wasn't suitable

 

[pablothebetta]

Ah I see, just thought I might mention it just incase.
15L should be fine for a single betta though, and they're quite happy without 'tank mates'. Mine lives alone after killing all but a couple of its shrimp tank-mates, who hide under some wood I have in there. I've heard some people suggesting adding ping-pong balls before as apparantly they sometimes 'play' with them, though I've never tried it myself.

 

[maddeh]

Haha, ping pong balls?? Will have to try that once he's settled in!
Gotta admit, I'm a little disappointed as I would have loved some pygmy corys, but would much rather have happy fish. It's a shame that fish shops have such a bad reputation for their lack of knowledge, but it appears justified.
Oh well. If it looks too empty I can always try a couple of the larger shrimp, or some attractive snails

 

[pablothebetta]

Haha, ping pong balls?? Will have to try that once he's settled in!

I'm going to try that as well.

Gotta admit, I'm a little disappointed as I would have loved some pygmy corys, but would much rather have happy fish. It's a shame that fish shops have such a bad reputation for their lack of knowledge, but it appears justified.
Oh well. If it looks too empty I can always try a couple of the larger shrimp, or some attractive snails

I know the feeling. I used to have pygmys myself in my 28L with a betta, but rehomed them as I just didn't feel there was enough room for them. I must say that I was suprised how interesting shrimp are when I got some a few months ago for the first time, so I'd definitely give them a go if your betta doesn't mind them.

 

[OldMan47]

Maddeh, you are not being misled by your LFS. Once you have cycled your tank you should be able to keep those fish in a 15 litre tank easily. A 15 litre tank has the capacity for a few pygmy cories, at a gallon or less each and a betta at maybe 2 gallons along with a few tetras. What you will need to decide is how much care you are willing to provide. Stocking a seeming minimum group of all 3 species of fish will mean at least twice weekly large water changes. If you are ready to do that much work you can maintain that many fish. If you favor more typical maintenance schedules, you will need to choose between the cories and the tetras and not keep both. It all comes down to you and how much work you want to do. I am lazy and would avoid both situations in favor of one requiring far less maintenance like maybe a tiny group of endlers as tank mates for the betta.