Betta Getting Chased By Feeder Fish

[ziggyboy]

My young betta Zorro is getting chased by 2 feeder fish about its same size. I bought them together and planned on keeping all 3 in the same tank.

I thought if any of these fish were aggressive it'd be the betta. However Zorro runs away from the feeders. I noticed that the feeders aren't really out to attack. They just get close out of curiosity and the Zorry runs away. A few times the feeders try to follow.

I'm not sure what type of fish the feeders are and I'm scared they might be fin nippers or territorial. What should I do? Should I separate them immediately?

 

[mommyof2bettas]

do the feeders look like this- http/www.arbovirus.health.nsw.gov.au/are...os/gambusia.jpg or like goldfish ?
What size is the tank, what temperature is it at?

 

[ziggyboy]

It's a 20L (5.3 gallon) tank and the temp is at 26C (78.8 F). I've got driftwood and 2 plants in there, and just finished fishless cycling today.

Btw the feeders don't look like the one in the pic. The fish in the pic has a slim rear while mine doesn't. My feeders look more like miniaturised oscars. Anyway I have taken out the feeders and put them in a bucket with the spare sponge filter from my main tank. Doesn't seem right for my $10 betta to get stressed by my $1 feeders.

Ok so I'm gonna figure out what to do with the feeders long-term but I still want a couple of peaceful/lazy fish, preferably bottom feeders. How about corys?

 

[mommyof2bettas]

Corys would be great...

 

[ziggyboy]

Cheers! Zorro seems to be happier. He tried exploring twice when the feeders were there and got chased. He's exploring the tank now as I type. Maybe he's scared cuz he's still young. In fact he was the smallest betta in my LPS and was told he only got delivered a few days ago. Beautiful little red fish!