Betta Tank

[Clown King]

Hello everyone,

Just going to set up my spare 4.5 Gallon tank, i am wanting to keep a betta in there. What kind of betta would be best, can i keep more than 1, what kind of decoration would be best, and what other tank mates would be suitable. Poss corys.

 

[BigC]

Welcome!
Try posting in the Betta forum. They get a lot more traffic than here, and there are a lot of knowledgeable guys and gals on you specific subject in there.
Regards
BigC

 

[Durbkat]

No you can not get more than one betta because they are fighting fish and they will fight to the death. Thats why they are in those small cups instead of in a big tank together. Their are only to types of bettas, male bettas and female bettas. You would be best to go with a male betta. But bettas do come in different tail types but you will almost NEVER see any different tail type of bettas beside veil tail bettas. Be sure when you pick one out to get one that has good color and put his cup next to another betta and see if he spreads his fins out real big (flaring) if he does that usually means he is healthy and don't get one that isn't swimming around or one that won't flare. And good luck on picking a healthy betta.

 

[OohFeeshy]

to types of bettas, male bettas and female bettas. You would be best to go with a male betta.

LOL, male and female are the ame type of betta .

Anyway, back to the question. Thats a great tank size Some people would say divide, I say don't, a single betta in a well planted tank makes a beautiful low maintenence tank. You are only likely to get veil tail bettas in shops, which are pretty in their own right. They have tons of personality. Male or female, its up to you. Males have longer fins and are usually more brightly coloured, but I find my females have a bit more spunk than the males. Although you aren't nessecarily going to find females, not all shops sell them. Other fish wise, you could possibly get away with 3 pygmy cories if you want, but provide hiding places for them in case the betta gets nasty. As for decoration, its up to you, however advoid plastic plants as they can have sharp edges that damage bettas fins. Live plants are best if you have the lighting, and a cave or similar is usually appreciated. Try to get sand for the bottom as gravel can damage cories barbels (if you get cories). Good luck, you'll have a room full of bettas before you know it

 

[Clown King]

Thank you for your help,

I will prob get 3 corys, but would things like danios and small tetra mix well with bettas

 

[OohFeeshy]

No, the tank is too small. Make sure you get pygmy cories, they max out at about an inch.

 

[Durbkat]

Maybe the danios but they need a tank size of at least a long 15g because they are active fish and need length to go back and forth. Tetras most of them no maybe some neon tetras but you would be taking a big risk because the betta could attack and eat them. It would be best since its your first time with bettas I would advise you not to get fish friends because he really doesn't need it. Just have a small to medium size mirror to put on the out side of the back of the tank for about 20 to 25 minutes once a day.

 

[Clown King]

Is the mirror an essential part of keeping bettas???

Is it something that needs doing daily??

 

[MegTheFish]

You can let them flare for a little bit each day, gives them exercise I guess.

 

[Durbkat]

Yes it is essental for keeping bettas unless you have another tank to set beside the first tank so they can see each other and flare. But since you don't have another tank to set beside it a mirror gives them exercise and something to do and it gives them some "action" it also keeps them from getting depressed.

 

[Lady]

I would like to say that...I dont believe its "essential" I have lots of bettas and I have never once used a mirror next to any of them and they are just happily living life...I have bettas that get really stressed out from seeing another fish or themselves and have chewed their tails and I have heard many people having the same issue on this forum as well...so I dont exactaly believe that its an "essential" to have a mirror for yyour betta... as for tank mates I have some dwarf cories in with my betta girls and they love them haha they are a great asset to the tank I think and OhhFeeshy preetty much covered it quite well I think on plants and sand things like that good luck keep us updated on what you decide