Betta Setup

[Bluegills]

Got a 5.5l tank to house my betta (attacking guppies) so before i start was wondering if i should have sand or gravel?

 

[KittyKat]

Whatever you like the look of best. I prefer fine, black gravel or plain sand.

 

[-FighterFishh]

5.5l is a tiny tank, even for bettas. You might want to look into something more around 20l for even one betta.

 

[Bluegills]

i went for black gravel

really?? theres loads on the market. i see one for 1.3l S i wouldnt put it in that small but i thought just for 1 betta that size would be ok was gonna add a shrimp n 2 or 3 black tetras. i want the tank really to breed them.....

 

[-FighterFishh]

i went for black gravel

really?? theres loads on the market. i see one for 1.3l S i wouldnt put it in that small but i thought just for 1 betta that size would be ok was gonna add a shrimp n 2 or 3 black tetras. i want the tank really to breed them.....

5.5L really is an incredibly small amount of water. Some bettas prefer small spaces, but I think that even that little is slightly extreme.
The 1.3L is very silly. I can't even see any fish would be happy in that!
If you did really want a betta in there, you couldn't put any other fish in there. Not only would more fish over stock it, but I would think that the betta would be pretty angry with the other fish, since he would be very territorial over such a small space.
Also, black tetras get far, far too big for 5 litres and need to be kept in shoals of at least 6 to be kept happy.
Another factor to think of is that for breeding, you need to have hundreds of jars for each of the fry, and the parents don't cohabit. The female is conditioned for a few weeks by putting her next to the male, then put in to breed. I'm not really sure on any of the details since I've never bred myself, but it's a lot of hard work, and a small 5.5L just wouldn't fit the job.

Something like this would be good for a betta (link), and maybe a few shrimp. It would be good if it had a lid also, as bettas have been known to jump out. D;

 

[KittyKat]

Sorry, read 5.5 gallons. I prefer to keep Bettas in tanks between 30*30*30 cm and 60*30*30 cm in size. They need *some* room to be able to move.. and just because other people do it, doesn't mean that it's right!

 

[Bluegills]

thanks for the advice. think im gonna buy that 20l tank then. i just needed to get him out coz he was nipping all my fish. with that breeding thing.... will he spawn on his own or does he need another male to do the nest..

 

[-FighterFishh]

thanks for the advice. think im gonna buy that 20l tank then. i just needed to get him out coz he was nipping all my fish. with that breeding thing.... will he spawn on his own or does he need another male to do the nest..

If he's happy, he will create the nest himself. Breeding is very tricky, and needs to be very thoroughly researched before you try it. You need an awful lot of time on your hands, a place for the female to live, a jar for every baby, and eventually actual places when it comes to selling them. Don't rush into anything without fully researching it first

 

[Bluegills]

yh defo, thats why im asking all the questions haha. so a 20l tank would be ok?

 

[-FighterFishh]

yh defo, thats why im asking all the questions haha. so a 20l tank would be ok?

I'm not really sure. I think it should be, but the fry need to be taken out after about a week(ish?).
You'd be much better off asking someone with more experience!

 

[Bluegills]

lol ok pal no worries. i just wanna breed him once to see how it goes etc. currectly trying to breed my tiger plecs haha

 

[KittyKat]

For breeding, a 10 gallon is a minimum for the spawn, then you need another tank for the male (once the fry are free swimming) and another one for the female. Breeding Bettas is more hassle than is worth for most people, but if you are determined to do it, go research first because the chance of it going smoothly without deaths is almost zero, unless you really do know what you are doing. Expect to spend maybe 6-10 hours of solid reading, before you come back with some questions about the details.

 

[Bluegills]

i think ill stick to guppies lol thanks. guess a lots involved n prob not worth it either