Betta In Community Tank

[newfishnathan]

So I have a 10 gallon community tank I am just getting going. I have 2 oto's in there with them, but am thinking to get a schooling fish. I was thinking tetras. Any other recommendations?

thanks,

Newfishnathan

 

[lilfishie]

what fish do you already have and how many of each?

 

[newfishnathan]

I have 1 male betta and 2 otto's currently, looking to add 4-5 tetras... what do you think?

 

[LilyRose Tank]

I wouldnt add any tetras for two reasons. you say its "just getting going" so I assume its a new setup. Firstly. is the tank cycled? If not I wouldnt add any more fish til you know the tank is cycled...please check out the beginners section
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/

also,if it is cycled, tetras dont tend to do well in new tanks. they need the tank to have been setup for 6 months to be able to be comfy
also, bettas are aggressive, thats why they are called fighter fish. anything with long flowy, colourful fins and striped bodies will be viewed as another betta, and the betta will slowly kill each one of them. Especially if they are around the size of a female betta...he will squeeze them to death trying to mate with them!
i had pygmy corys in with mine, and as they are a fast fish compared to bettas who are much slower, they can out swim them. but make sure all inlets to any filter are covered with a stocking end ( pair of tights cut off at heal) and use elastic bands to keep them in place ( these will need replacing as rubber perishes in water)
Another idea for a tank mate for a betta, is an apple snail. they add colour to the tank, and are too hard for betta to attack and injure. I also managed to keep any corydoras species with betta, a minimum of 4 would be great, but take into account they can grow to 3 inches each when adding up your inches for stocking control reasons. ( 1 inch of adult body length, not including fins, to each gallon of tank water)
sp at the moment you have a male betta (2 and a half inches) with two oto, which are two inches each full grown...so you already have 6 and a half inch of stock, leaving you with 3 and a half inches of stock allowed. I would suggest another oto, but feed algae flakes regularly, or another algae eater of some sort. or 4 pygmy corys than dont quite reach an inch in length at adult size, so you may get away with that#
good luck...any pics of your betta? I love them xx

 

[Fishy friend2]

also another thing about the oto they need to be in groups of 6 plus but people have had success with 4 plus so since a betta can get 2 and a half inches plus about 4 more inches because of the otos that is so really that is all you can have if you add 2 more otots which would be best

 

[Thomasino]

Sorry to hijack your thread, but this is the same question I have. I'm looking at getting roughly a 30L 'nano' tank. I want to grow some moss and other plants and have some Red Cherry Shrimp. I was also thinking either two Oto's or two BN catfish, and a Betta. Would it be too much as it is, and if not, would it be overstocked if I had 6 Neon tetra (or Harlequin Rasbora)? Of course, I would give the other fish time to establish themselves before introducing the Betta, and allow the plants to grow and provide some hiding spots.

Thanks.

 

[-FighterFishh]

Sorry to hijack your thread, but this is the same question I have. I'm looking at getting roughly a 30L 'nano' tank. I want to grow some moss and other plants and have some Red Cherry Shrimp. I was also thinking either two Oto's or two BN catfish, and a Betta. Would it be too much as it is, and if not, would it be overstocked if I had 6 Neon tetra (or Harlequin Rasbora)? Of course, I would give the other fish time to establish themselves before introducing the Betta, and allow the plants to grow and provide some hiding spots.

Thanks.

30L is too small for the BN plec. I'm not sure about otos.
Neon tetras usually do best in well established tanks, too. You could look at chilli rasboras. They stay small and look beautiful in a shoal.
Also, be aware that bettas might munch on your shrimps and any other stocking you put in, so you're risking them if you put one in.


My betta Chai lives in a community tank with 6 blonde endlers and a male platy. Honestly, it all depends on the betta you get, but tetras are usually a no seeing as they can be quite nippy.
Also, the inch rule isn't really used in tanks any more, it's just a guideline.
I'd suggest something like a big shoal of micro rasbora (or chilli rasbora as they're sometimes called) and that's it. Or, maybe a smaller shoal of micro rasbora and then another small shoal of neon green rasboras. Just be aware, if you're putting fish into a tank with the betta already in it, he might attack them, since they're coming into his territory, so be prepared to lose any fish you're putting in after him.
Also, as mentioned before, is your tank cycled? If not, don't put any more fish in and please read up on cycling your tank. Here's a link for you.
Good luck with your boy, keep us updated!