Does The Current Affect Certain Fish?

[Wei_pad]

I have a 35 gallon tank with only 3 fish inside: 1 angelfish and 2 sankeskin gouramis. My cousin gave me his betta that was in poor living conditions (he literally lived in a large jar!). I put him in my 35 gallon tank and things looked promising. For a few minutes, he wasn't attacking anybody nor was he being attacked. An hour later, I just saw him lying still on the bottom. When he moves, it seems like he's having to put a LOT of effort in swimming. Could it be the current produced by the filter? The other guys don't seem to be affected.

 

[fluttermoth]

It could well be the current. Bettas have evolved to live in very still, slow moving water, so they're not very strong swimmers.

It could also be that the gouramis are picking on it. They're very closely related and rarely make suitable tank mates.

 

[snazy]

Are bettas compatible with gouramis at all?

 

[fluttermoth]

No, only in very rare circumstances with individual fish, but it's not something that's worth trying, IMO; just not worth the risk.

 

[Wei_pad]

Well I changed my current filter to one that does not produce a strong current and things are looking fine for now. I never thought it would be the gouramis . They're very peaceful most of the time . Normally, I wouldn't risk compatibility issues like that but if I remove the betta, he'll have no where else to go since all my tanks are full and have gouramis in them too .

 

[snazy]

If your tank is well planted with some driftwood and such to break the line of sight you may get away with it if the betta claims a piece of teritory

 

[Wei_pad]

It's got lots of plants . Hopefully that'll work. I'll update regularly.