Betta Tank Mates?

[~RaJ~]

Im going to get a 10 gallon planted tank. And put a Male Betta in it, and i was wondering what other fish could i keep with it.

 

[iBetta]

Bettas tend to live quite happily on their own, but should be fine with other fish.
Other non-nipping fish will be suitable.
Also, any fish that has vibrant colours, is not suitable, as the male Betta will try and attack it.
Fish with long-flowing fins are also not acceptable.
Fish with bland colours will get along with your male Betta, so chose silver/grey, black, white, cream coloured fish.
Danios get along quite well with Bettas... I have Zebra Danios in with one of my Bettas, and they live quite well together. Just look out for fin nipping, as this might occur (quite rare).
I have heard that Guppys are a bad mate for Bettas, so don't chose them.
Also, fairly slow moving fish... Fish that swim rather fast can stress out your Betta, as he can't move as fast as them.
Be careful not to overstock your tank, and that the fish are compatible in terms of water temperature, PH etc.

 

[~RaJ~]

Thanks But what about something like neons and a type of shrimp to eat algae. Which shrimp would be the best?

 

[marieukxx]

I don't advise shrimp with a Betta. All mine mysteriously disappeared lol. I have Cardional tertras with my Betta which are the same as neaons but the slightly bigger ones. If you want an algae eater with your Betta what about a snail or a pitbull plec? I have both with my Betta.

 

[~RaJ~]

Oh Ok Thaanks,, but doesnt a pleco get too big for a 10 gallon?

 

[Louiseness]

Most plecos will get too bit for a 10gal. You might be able to get away with a small one, perhaps a small bristlenose, clown or bulldog plec but I don't know enough about them to be sure that I'm necessarily right!

The tankamtes don't necessarily have to be 'bland', I have my boy in with some endlers and chilli rasbora which have amazing colours! I believe flowing fins (guppies) and being closely related (gouramis) are the major cause of problems but of course your mileage may vary.

I have cherry shrimp in with my betta too and he doesn't bother them at all, but certainly some do see them as a tasty snack Amano shrimp get a bit bigger and robust so they might be worth a try?

 

[~RaJ~]

Ok thanks. Are amano shrimp good algae eaters?

 

[Louiseness]

Well they're also known as 'algae eating shrimp' so I reckon so! I mean, if you had a massive algae bloom all over the glass or something I don't know whether they'd be able to deal with that but as everyday 'cleaner uppers' and general scavengers they're pretty good.

 

[~RaJ~]

okaay thaanks

 

[micko]

Algae shrimp! Best shrimp I've owned.

 

[~RaJ~]

is that an amano shrimp?

 

[~RaJ~]

Oh right they are I will definately get one of those then

 

[Louiseness]

I may be mistaken but I don't think shrimp add much to your bioload so you can get a few if you like (amanos won't breed in freshwater like cherries do, though)

 

[~RaJ~]

Yh i ment a few anyway

 

[seizethecupcake]

I'd caution against snails with bettas. I've tried apple snails with BOTH of my males, and the snails ended up having their antennae munched off! Not cool. The snails have their own tank now, and the bettas live alone.