A Walmart Rescue Story

[Griz]

My son who is 10 and very interested in fishkeeping, and all animals really, came home with a betta from Walmart. He felt sorry for it because of the little plastic cup it was living in and because it wasn't the nicest looking fish (compared to the more impressive looking males) and he convinced mom to let him save it. He spent his own money on it. It is a female, white with red fins. We've had it for over a week now and it has coloured up a bit and looking quite nice IMO. We've really come to like her. It's presently in one of those little betta tanks and we added a small artificial plant I had kicking around. I've been keeping fish on and off for over 30 years but I have no experience at all with bettas. We have been wondering it it would be wise to add her to the 33 gal tank in my sig. It's a well established tank with lots of live plants. Two Amazon Sword plants reach the top which I thought she might like.

What do you guy/gals think?

edit: Stats are pH 7.7, GH 8, KH 4

 

[K.J.]

My son who is 10 and very interested in fishkeeping, and all animals really, came home with a betta from Walmart. He felt sorry for it because of the little plastic cup it was living in and because it wasn't the nicest looking fish (compared to the more impressive looking males) and he convinced mom to let him save it. He spent his own money on it. It is a female, white with red fins. We've had it for over a week now and it has coloured up a bit and looking quite nice IMO. We've really come to like her. It's presently in one of those little betta tanks and we added a small artificial plant I had kicking around. I've been keeping fish on and off for over 30 years but I have no experience at all with bettas. We have been wondering it it would be wise to add her to the 33 gal tank in my sig. It's a well established tank with lots of live plants. Two Amazon Sword plants reach the top which I thought she might like.

What do you guy/gals think?

edit: Stats are pH 7.7, GH 8, KH 4

She could be aqressive which could be a problem for the tetras for example, the others I don't know about.

Little betta bowls? Like, how many gallons or litres?

 

[killerfish]

im very good with bettas and i have kept females in my tank with diffrent kinds of fish for one they can be mean and might nip at long finned fish but after a week or so she will be fine. if you plan on adding more females do it all at once because the female betta you have now might not like the idea of more of her kind in the tank. hope this helps.

 

[catsmakemebark]

Females generaly harrass other females. Tetra's should be ok. They are quicker fish than the betta. It isnt unhear of females killing smaller fish though. It may be a wise choice to just put her in a ten gallon by herself or with two other females. Never have only two in a tank or else they will fight.

I've noticed that most betta people keep betta's in gallon bowl to two gallon bowls. The min. size for a betta is ten gallons. Nitrate and amonia build up fast in smaller tanks. To even keep a one gallon stable would mean 100% water changes everyday and that would probably kill the betta from stress.

 

[Griz]

This "tank" (if you can call it that) is perhaps one litre. If she can't go into my 33 gal we'll get something proper for her.

I can't see her catching the rummynose tetras, they are very fast. Same for the cardinals really, and they tend to hang out in the bottom half of the tank. The Cockatoo is an old female nearing the end of her lifespan and she rarely ventures away from the bottom. They are a generally peaceful fish when not spawning and there's no chance of that since her mate died of old age. This betta would have the top of the tank to herself. Am I right in thinking that this is where they spend the majority of their time?

Sounds like this may work but I'll wait to hear what you think.

Thanks for the quick responses.

 

[Kiarra]

I'd be far more worried about the Tetras nipping her fins to nothing than her picking on the Tetras. Usually only males fall pray to that, but I myself prefer not to risk it.

 

[catsmakemebark]

Make sure your tetra's arnt fin nippers. She may claim the top as her territory but if any other fish went up she may become very aggressive. You can put her in there and watch for a few hour to see how she does. Any sign that there may be a problem is when you probably need to go out and get a nice tank for her. I personally like to keep my bettas in with my other fish in a big tank with a heater and filter because it does wonders to there health.

 

[Griz]

I'd be far more worried about the Tetras nipping her fins to nothing than her picking on the Tetras. Usually only males fall pray to that, but I myself prefer not to risk it.

That's what I was originally thinking. I don't think she could harm any of the fish in there right now. I was more worried about her safety.

Make sure your tetra's arnt fin nippers. She may clam the top as her territory but if any other fish went up she may become very aggressive. You can put her in there and watch for a few hour to see how she does. Any sign that there may be a problem is when you probably need to go out and get a nice tank for her. I personally like to keep my bettas in with my other fish in a big tank with a heater and filter because it does wonders to there health.

Cardinals and Rummynose aren't generally considered to be fin nippers but they have been in there for quite a long time and may see her as in intruder in their territory. Definitely something to think about.

 

[catsmakemebark]

"Cardinals and Rummynose aren't generally considered to be fin nippers but they have been in there for quite a long time and may see her as in intruder in their territory. Definitely something to think about."

Yes, that could potentially be the problem I was thinking of, I've never had or seen a cardinal nip. I dont know about rummynose but as far as I know they are the nipping type. My main worry is about your tetra's. If you put her in there dont be suprised if you find a cardinal ripped in half because the are alot more aggressive towards other fish than males are.

 

[Griz]

Like I said, I'm no betta expert but I can't imagine this fish "ripping a cardinal in half". I'm more concerned about what a school of 8 cardinals (or rummynose) could do to the betta.

added: My sense is that this betta wiil be fine in there. If/when I add her, I'll be keeping an eye on things. I was hoping that there might be someone who keeps bettas in a community tank that could give me an opinion.

 

[jollysue]

I have kept Betta with other fish. One problem was if the community needs to be treated. Betta are often treated with reduced doses, such as with MelaFix. I have found that while they may fair well, they sometimes harrass other fish. My cories were happy when the Betta was gone, and swim freer. I believe pencils like a peaceful home. Your elderly cockatoo could be harrassed. Younger healthy cockatoos will keep a Betta well in check. But if she is elderly she may be bothered. Betta can be poor neighbors. As I say she may do fine, but she may not be a pleasant neighbor.

 

[Griz]

I'm still on fence trying to decide on this. It seems I may have 2 basic misconceptions about bettas. Maybe I'm underestimating them but my reasoning is in italics. Perhaps we can clear these up. If I'm way off base then I'll definitely have to reconsider this but my reading on the subject seems to back up my original thinking which was that as long as the tetras leave her alone, it should work out fine.

1- Bettas tend to spend the majority of their time at or near the surface and wouldn't venture around the bottom of an 18" deep aquarium very much.
(In a 3ft long (18" deep) planted tank with plenty of cover in the form of rocks, driftwood, and caves, I wonder if it's really likely that a betta would seek out and harrass a cockatoo, much less be able to find it in one of it's caves? Are they really that territorial that they would try to take over an entire 33 gal?)

2- Bettas aren't exactly the fastest swimming fish and wouldn't have a hope of running down most tetras, given adaquate room. (I wonder how much success a betta would have keeping up with a quick fish like a tetra or pencilfish in this tank. Seems to me the betta would exhaust itself long before it caught anything.)

 

[Kame-San]

2- Bettas aren't exactly the fastest swimming fish and wouldn't have a hope of running down most tetras, given adaquate room. (I wonder how much success a betta would have keeping up with a quick fish like a tetra or pencilfish in this tank. Seems to me the betta would exhaust itself long before it caught anything.)

I would worry more about the betta than the tetras, if you're looking at it like this. The betta might be slower, which is good for the tetras--he won't be able to catch them. But at the same time it could be bad for the betta--the tetras might nip his fins and because he was slower, he wouldn't be able to escape them.

 

[Griz]

Makes sense ot me. If I try it, it will be at a time when I and the rest of the family will be around to keep a close eye on things for a few days.

 

[jollysue]

By all means try it.

I had a PK Betta in a 100 usg. He swam the whole tank. The apistogrammas kept him in check. He was busier watching his own back than hassling anyone.

Sadly there was an infection in the tank. He did not do well, when I treated it, and he passed. He was happy up to then.

As far as Bettas and caves. Bettas certainly do like to have caves and hiding spots. They may or may not stay near the top. If he is adventurous, he may be all over the tank as most of mine have been. I have had Bettas of differing types and finnages in 6 different size community tanks. I have had experiences that have made me rethink the practice. That doesn't mean it won't work for you and your Betta.

I have had Bettas in three different cory tanks. Cories are fast swimmers. They nontheless were harrassed. Betta can be temperamental.

Fin nipping on a Betta can result easily in finrot. That can be a dangerous game.

You asked for experiences. These are just some of mine.