Finally Folded

[ara35]

well i finally folded under the pressure and scratched the idea of an african butterfly fish in a 15 gallon. instead i am getting a betta, 4-6 cories, 3-4 african dwarf frogs.. does this sound good? i am buying the betta tomorrow so what are some signs for a healthy betta since they dont swim around at the store. can i also add tetras or is that overstocked?? thanks

 

[ara35]

ANYONE??

 

[TribeOfShroom]

Signs of a healthy betta... i tend to pick my betta's depending on how well they score on:

Colour : brightness and intensity
Fin condition : are they torn, ripped or look like they're rotting
Reactivity : Do they react to you looking at them or are they slow/sluggish/non responsive
Size : are they really thin / a bit fat (might be the signs of dropsy; look for pinecone effect with the scales)


I wouldn't except anything if they didn't get at least :

Colour : 9/10
Fin Condition : 10/10
Reactivity: 9/10 (very active)
Size : Streamline, but not unhealthy thin

I would ask other betta keepers as well. Picking the right fish is essential. Knowing what a healthy Betta looks and acts like will help.

Bearing in mind though that I get my bettas from a store that allows them to swim freely in a good size tank. Usually with plecs or other bottom dwellers. Anywhere that keeps bettas in a small confined trap I try to avoid.

 

[ara35]

thank you for that explanation. that helps alot. what about overstocked.. .is this overstocked??

betta, 3-4 frogs, 5-6 cories, and tetras?

 

[CrashingWaves]

A good sign for a healthy betta is when you pick up the little cup they are generally sold in, they go nuts and start attacking the side of the cup. That or they are just swimming around agressively when you pick them up. It's also important to make sure they don't have any external parasites, or any apparent internal parasites. Clear eyes, no ripped fins, and just a generally healthy look are all important factors.

God Bless,
Joshua

 

[TribeOfShroom]

First of all is the tank fully cycled? If not, then I wouldn't suggest putting any fish in at until the tank has cycled. If on the other hand the tank is ready then I suggest you start off with a few fish. For example:

1 betta & 2 corys
or
2/3 corys

Don't give in to temptation and put lots of fish at once, your filter won't be able to handle it and your toxin levels may rise to dangerous levels. As for the frogs.. .I've never kept any so I can't advise you on them... again I wouldn't put loads at once due to the affect it would have on the toxin levels

What tetras are you thinking of keeping? I keep tetra with my betta, but it's not always advisable.

A good sign for a healthy betta is when you pick up the little cup they are generally sold in, they go nuts and start attacking the side of the cup. That or they are just swimming around agressively when you pick them up. It's also important to make sure they don't have any external parasites, or any apparent internal parasites. Clear eyes, no ripped fins, and just a generally healthy look are all important factors.

God Bless,
Joshua

Does anywhere in the UK still sell them in those small 'cups'?


Sorry, just saw you're from the US. I retract my question above.

 

[ara35]

my tank cycled about a week ago and i have minnows in there now. i'll prob give them back to the fish store. i dont know what to do with them. anyway, i was planning on getting a betta and a couple cories today and see how it works out. i didnt know what tetra to buy, any suggestions?

 

[TribeOfShroom]

Hmm unfortunatly tetra have a habit of being fin nippers. So on that note I wouldn't really know what to suggest. But saying that my tetra don't seem to bother my betta and seem more intent with chasing each other. The other thing to have to bear in mind is tetra like to be in a nice size group. About 6 seems to be the general concensus reading through this site.

If you really want tetra then maybe some cardinals. But make sure you have a lot of hiding places eg. plants, rocks etc. Also your betta will appreciate some floating plants.

But I would ask around about the tetra. There are more compatible species if you're as intentive to have the betta as I was when I started.


As for overstocking.. I think the rule is: 1" of fish to 1 gallon of water. But I may be wrong.

 

[darkwolf29a]

Make sure your betta is a female, or you will have issues.

I'd do some research into frogs, to make sure you won't run into any problems with them.

From the math, you won't be oferstocked, but I would be a bit concerned about the number of tetras. You haven't stated a number.

Betta : 2in (as adults)
Corys: (Depending on the species) 1.85 to 3in
ADF: ?? I can't find a size
Tetras: (Species dependent)


So...I guess, figure out what Corys, and tetras, you want. Then we can figure out the math better.

 

[ara35]

basically the cories will be whatever is available.. usually bronze or peppered. tetra will prob be neon or cardinal. so heres the list that im going for now.
-betta
-4-5 cories
-5 neon/cardinal tetras
-4 african dwarf frogs
-maybe some little shrimp, we'll see how it goes with the others first.

 

[TribeOfShroom]

basically the cories will be whatever is available.. usually bronze or peppered. tetra will prob be neon or cardinal. so heres the list that im going for now.
-betta
-4-5 cories
-5 neon/cardinal tetras
-4 african dwarf frogs
-maybe some little shrimp, we'll see how it goes with the others first.

I would suggest cardinals over neons, as they tend to be a bit more hardier than the neons. Apart from that, sounds pukker!

 

[darkwolf29a]

basically the cories will be whatever is available.. usually bronze or peppered. tetra will prob be neon or cardinal. so heres the list that im going for now.
-betta
-4-5 cories
-5 neon/cardinal tetras
-4 african dwarf frogs
-maybe some little shrimp, we'll see how it goes with the others first.

Peppered or Bronze Cory= 3in (4 = 12in, 5 = 15in)
Betta = 2in plus (Depending on exact species) Some can get to 3in
Tetras = 2in (Both get to the same size...take you pick)
ADF = ???

In short...you're overstocking the tank... and I haven't added in the ADFs, since I don't know how big they get.

I'd rethink, if I were in your position.

 

[TribeOfShroom]

15 gallons is 68.2 litres? in which case my old 55L tank was overstocked. Odd, I never had any problems with it *is a bit confused*

 

[ara35]

if this forum has taught me anything, it's that the inch per gallon rule should not always apply, the tetras and betta will be in the top/middle of the tank, while the frogs and cories will be on the bottom so i dont believe that is overstocked. i am overfiltering already with a filter meant for a 30 gallon while i only have a 15 gallon tank

 

[darkwolf29a]

If you are overfiltering, you might get away with it.

The only thing that ever worries me about overstocking, is the stress level of the fish.

I understand what you're saying...I'm not a big fan of the 1in per gallon rule either. But, I think of it this way: I can survive in a two room apartment with 4 roommates, but do I want to? It's just like fish. True, some don't require that much room, and others are completely happy with their tankmate on top of them, i.e. tetras (You can put 15 in a 10 gallon tank, and they'll still breed more). But, I'd rather have room, myself, for those fish that don't like having another fish on top of them.

If you are only keeping one type of fish...then I'd say that 1 gallon rule might not apply. But, when you put more than one species in a tank...I go with that rule, since it keeps fish safe, and less stressed.