Best setup for a betta?

[cheekeyarab]

I have decided to beg my other half for a new tank. Have been trying for a while to upgrade and use my 20g for a betta tank. That's not working so now I am thinking small betta tank, moving some of my fish into that one with the betta and having a 20g tetra tank (black widows/skirts and neons)

Will the following go together?

20g

6 black widow tetras
10 neon tetras
3 gold zebra loaches

?g

male betta
2 platies
female dalmation mollie
male swordie (currently trying to rehome this one to somebody I know who has a bigger tank)

So my questions are:

1, Will the proposed stocking lists work? (compatibility etc?)
2. What size tank for the betta/livebearers (same sex, don't worry about fry cos I've had the girls ages)
3. If these aren't good betta tankmates which ones would be good (don't want any algae eaters/bottom feeders - I like cleaning i does!!!!)

Also would you buy your neons in one go? I was thinking 5 first and 5 after a fortnight?

 

[Naughtygirlrlw]

I know everyone has different opinions but here's my story. I researched for about a month on what are compatible tankmates for a male betta and everything said Mollies and Platies. I ended up buying 2 platies, a black sailfin molly, and a dalmation molly for my 10 gallon. Well the betta was fine with everyone else but the dalmation molly TORMENTED all of them. She kept nipping at the betta and chasing the platies, and killed one after about 4 days. I took her back to the pet store and it has been smooth sailing ever since!

 

[cheekeyarab]

Thank you for your reply.
Wasn't sure if any of them would go so chuffed I can have platies in there.
What would be the smallest tank for 2 platies and a betta. I don't know what size I'm getting yet just want to make sure I don't underestimate.

Thanx in advance.

 

[OohFeeshy]

I'd say 10g.

 

[cheekeyarab]

Thank you, I will keep my eye out for a nice 10g. My plan is to pop the new filter media in the old tank for a couple of weeks, Then I'll do a partial water change putting the water and some gravel from the old tank into the new one. Then I'll add the two platys and leave them to settle in. (obviously putting the filter media back too!)
Now off to research more on bettas!!

 

[don_kihotis]

hello people.does anyone know if a betta is compatible with blood parrots in a comunity tank?i have now a pleco and a blood parrot but i'm not sure if it's ok to add the betta.any ideas for the future tank mates?

 

[GSD]

cheekeyarab
yes platies should be fine.But watch them like a hawk for the first few days.Wether it will work all depends on the individual bettas personality.Some bettas get on great with anything whilst others hate company.
I had platies with my betta and they did nip at his fins alot so watch out for that too.
If anything goes wrong just move him into a temperary home and then mabe get him his own little 1gallon tank.
good luck!

don_kihotis
firstly hi and welcome to the forums!
i dont think that a betta and a blood parrot will go well together,these get big and mine nipped alot.long fins such as the betta and nippers dont tend to do well

 

[don_kihotis]

thanks for the reply
i'm trying to read many articles on the web to deside about the future tankmates.very hard think to find out as others say one thing and others the opposite.i'm very fond off angelfish and discus.i've read that parrots and discus are peacefull and angels semi-aggresive.never had problems with angels in the past though. i also love apple snails but the two i bought were killed the same day from the betta
do you know if angels,discus and parrots will harm them as well?
thanks in advance
chris