Females And Compatable Tank Mates

[Taridan]

Hello, I have a 29 long community tank, that right now has one female betta, some platies, a pleco, and an apple snail. I'd really like to get some Hatchet Fish, prefferably 5-6 since they like to shoal together, but I was wondering if anyone knew if the Betta would get along with them, and or if the platies would. any and all opinions are welcome.

 

[jollysue]

Hatchetts are very sensitive and can be hard to keep. I don't know if they will do well with the Betta. I don't think they are aggressive, so it depends on the Betta. Betta can be unpredictable: fine one day and on a tear the next. If they decide to chase the hatchetts, I doubt the hachetts will do well. They are lovely fish, like little angels. Remember they too jump.

Everything I have read says that platties are not a good mix with Bettas, because they nip the Betta's fins. But I know nothing about them personally.

I am not much help and IME have decided not to keep Bettas with other fish. I had Hatchetts once but they didn't survive.

 

[Taridan]

My female betta is dominant enough that the platies leave her alone, but I was afraid she might chase the hatchets, since they would look big and shiny to her. 6 If I do decide to get them (I need to check live bearer forum and see what they think of hatchets x platies together) I might move the female betta to her own tank. Thanks for you input. I think they're lovely little fishes, and I've always wanted some but never had the right place to put them.

 

[wendywc]

I've heard of angelfish nipping at a betta's fins, but not platies. I see nothing wrong with keeping platies with bettas or hatchets; I haven't personally though. When I had platies, they were very sweet --- never had problem with them personality-wise and they were very personable and swim up closer to see me.

Also I do know that the silver hatchets are hardier than the marbled ones.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Everything I have read says that platties are not a good mix with Bettas, because they nip the Betta's fins. But I know nothing about them personally.

I don't think the main problem with platies is that they are particularly nippy; it's more that bettas tend to take exception to their bright colours. IME platies mix particularly well with guppies, which also have long flowing fins.