Could A Betta Be Kept In This Tank....

[nurglespuss]

Hi all,

My trumpet snail stock tank (which used to house fish previously) is currently running as a plant filtered system.

Its 18"x8"x8" has a thick carpet of floating plants (thinned every other day!), java moss/fern, recieves some daylight, and is packed with trumpet snails.

The tank is however now still, with no flow of water (though the system is ticking over very nicely with occasional/regular water changes).

So I was wondering, would a single betta be ok in this tank? it being a labyrinth fish and all? just to att some colour to the tank.

 

[Lynda B]

has a thick carpet of floating plants

This would be my concern..... your betta might drown for not being able to get air.....

 

[Bozza]

I have 2 tanks similar to yours. Both house a male betta. As said previously the only concern is the thick carpet of floating plants.

 

[nurglespuss]

Ahhh ok, how about a give him a plant free 'breathing ring' that floats on top? or use a top divide I have lying around to keep the plans back from one tank edge?

 

[Lynda B]

It still sounds dangerous. By giving him access to only a small amount of top space, you're making him always swim back to that one spot to breathe. And what happens if that spot ever closes in and you're not there. He'll suffocate. I just don't think it's a good idea. Maybe you could put in some cardinal tetras, or something for the color you want.

 

[OohFeeshy]

There's plenty of airspace between the floating plants, they're not that clumsy...

 

[nurglespuss]

hmmm also, in some areas where they live, the pools dry up to small volumes, with a very thick carpet of plants/algae/detritus on top, and they survive...

They dont HAVE to breath atmospheric air, this is only meant as a survival mechanism....

Thanks all the same though :>

 

[joycould]

I have a couple of tanks with a lot of floating plants on them. The fish love to cruise around in them. I pull out a handful of plants when it gets a lot on the top. You can alway float a ring in it or some people tie a fishing line across to keep the water clear in an area.