Betta Tankmates

[pablothebetta]

I'm thinking of upgrading my bettas 7.4 US gallon tank tank to a size nearer 10 gallons. I have been looking at the Arcadia 35L arc tank and AquaStart 320T (36L) - any opinions on these tanks? It seems the arcadia is more common than the AquaStart, but I've posted links for each below.

AquaStart: http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquariums/aqua-one/aqua-one-aquastart-aquariums/aqua-one-aquarium-aquastart-320t-ice-white.html
Arcadia: http/www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=385&pf_id=54795&co=fr

Any other tank model suggestions are very much welcomed. I'm unable to buy 'standard' 10 gallon 'kits' unfortunately, which I would have liked as they tend to be relatively cheap. Anyway, if anyone has any other tank suggestions I would like to hear them.

I have been wondering what tankmates might work in the tanks I have currently come up with. I'd love a group of at least 6 pygmy cories and possibly some male endlers in there, though I don't want to push it too much. The AquaStart seems to have a fairly small area for the cories (roughly just over 1 square foot)- would the arcadia make a better option for this reason?
I came up with a couple of ideas:

#1
1 male betta
8 pygmy cories

#2
1 male betta
6 pygmy cories
3 male endlers

Would either of those work? Any other ideas? I'd really love the pygmys in there tbf.

Thanks

 

[fishprotector]

I would say go with the Arcadia and either of the stocking options. You may already know this, but Pygmy Corydoras are one of the only Cory species who will shoal in the water column, not just on the bottom of the tank. Still though, the Arcadia is a smart looking tank. I have a Fluval 30l Ebi with a Betta, 6 Pygmy Corydoras and 6 Vietnamese Cardinals. It sounds heavily stocked, but it works a treat and looks really nice

 

[Cazgar]

The Arcadia has more length than height which would be better for both the Betta & the corys.
The Arcadia is a nice looking tank too with it's glass lid, makes for good viewing.
The only thing I found with mine is the light hinges got weak over time, but that was a simple fix.
I think they have different light fittings on them now.
Check out EBay as they occasionally come up there, I got mine for £20

 

[pablothebetta]

I would say go with the Arcadia and either of the stocking options. You may already know this, but Pygmy Corydoras are one of the only Cory species who will shoal in the water column, not just on the bottom of the tank. Still though, the Arcadia is a smart looking tank. I have a Fluval 30l Ebi with a Betta, 6 Pygmy Corydoras and 6 Vietnamese Cardinals. It sounds heavily stocked, but it works a treat and looks really nice

My betta is currently in a 28L, so just under that. Truth be told, he already lives with 4 pygmys due to LFS advice - I mainly just want to give them a bigger home so I can add more as they really don't seem very active little guys and I wasn't sure if that was due to the tank size and number of them. Is the ebi planted?

 

[fishprotector]

My six are also quite shy and I do not see them that often. Six is meant to be the mimimum number for these guys. Mind you, I might not see mine due to the ample amount of plants (yes it is planted). I keep meaning to get some pics up actually, might do it at weekend.

Are you planting yours?

 

[pablothebetta]

The tank is currently planted, though my swords don't seem to be doing too well (don't think they've grown at all since I bought them over a month ago, and many leaves have yellow/brown patches on them), despite daily 'liquid CO2', daily liquid ferts and root tabs in the substrate. I do/did have some vallis too, though that seems to have pretty much died off, or at least hasn't grown anyway - I wanted it to be a nice background plant but oh well. It remains hidden by the swords. The hygro grows like crazy though and the anubias does seem to grow new leaves now and again, so at least two plants don't seem to be doing too badly. You can see the hygro behind my betta in my DP - or at least what it was like shortly after I bought it. It now makes my tank look like a jungle, but my betta seems to enjoy it like that, so that is how it stays.

With regards to the cories, even if I am unable to upgrade in the end, do you think it would be a good idea to add in another two? I do hope I am able to get them a larger tank, but don't want to overdo things if I am not.

 

[Cazgar]

You should be ok adding another 2, they do feel more secure in larger groups.
I have 6 hasborus & they are always active, only hiding when they're resting

 

[pablothebetta]

You should be ok adding another 2, they do feel more secure in larger groups.
I have 6 hasborus & they are always active, only hiding when they're resting

OK, so I should add another 2 to my 28L, then? What if I am unable to upgrade? I don't want them getting lonely though Agh, LFS advice Then again, I probably should have ensured they'd be alright before purchasing them in the first place, so I guess the blames on me too.

 

[pablothebetta]

If I were able to upgrade to a 35/36L tank, would I get away with 8 pygmys and a few male endlers, or would it be better to leave it with just the cories?

Thanks for all the advice, it's hugely appriciated

 

[lilfishie]

defo go for the larger number of cories, IME dwarfs do best in groups of 10+

 

[Cazgar]

I wouldn't have the endlers as well as the pygmys if you want a school of 8+

 

[pablothebetta]

If they'd be better off in a 6 even though the tank is on the small side, I'll see what one of my LFS have next time I go, which hopefully won't be too long

Lilfishie: I would love that, perhaps I'll be able to do that one day. I guess I'd be looking at nearer 15 US gals for that though - I very much wish I was able to do that!

Cazgar: That's fine. I did wonder if it would be too much - just wondered though. I am very tempted to upgrade with the possibility of 8 or so cories - they are ever such cute little guys and I want to give them the best home possible.


I'm thinking 8 pygmys would be the max in a 35/36L tank - I don't want to overcrowd. Would that sound about right?

Might look more into the Arc tank or a tank of similar dimensions rather than the AquaStart 320T - more area I guess for the cories and whatnot. It's the smaller version I have now, and the only difference is an extra 10cm or so height in the 'T' version, and I do think the area seems a little small. I don't know if I'd feel comfortable having 8 cories in the 320T with the area it would provide, even though they are more bottom-mid dwellers than some other cory species, does this sound apropriate?

 

[lilfishie]

10 would be fine in a 10 gal

 

[pablothebetta]

Wow, I did not expect that number would be ok in that small-a tank. Would that be too much if I had a betta too, though?

Sorry for all the questions. If I do get to upgrade (and even if I don't) I want to get things right

 

[lilfishie]

they'll be fine with the betta too, they produce little bioload and a 10 gal should be perfect for them