Fish Compatability

[stryker_uk]

In our 130L tank at the moment we've got 6 x ray tetra's and a male siamese fighting fish who get on handsomely and we'd like to end up adding a pair of pearl gouramis and a bristlenose catfish. Can anyone recommend another species that would fit in with all of these, we were hoping for some mollys, but am open to suggestions cos we want a nice happy tank.

 

[catxx]

No Gouramis with Bettas (Siamese Fighting Fish), recipe for nipped up disasters, they really don't mix well. On the few occasions they have it's a rare stroke of luck. Mollies may also fin nip the Betta.

 

[bronzecat]

Hi
I'd say you have been extemely lucky so for with your male betta and x-rays. I witnessed x-rays ripping a male betta to shreds.
I would say absolutely no to mixing gouramis with your betta There will be some who say they have done it, but there are good reasons for people saying dont. They are both anabantoids, meaning the have a labyrinth organ and are surface breathers. Some gouramis can be very territorial which wont go down well with the betta.

The bristlenose is no problem but i wouldn't add mollys with a male betta though.

With the male betta in the tank you do have to consider your options well. There are a number of Rasboras which will fit in, like Copper Harlequins, Galaxy and blue neon rasboras. All shoaling fish, so minimum 6.

 

[stryker_uk]

blimey, total rethink then. The reason we went for the x rays in the 1st place was the lfs said they wern't fin nippers and I read on Tims Tropicals compatability list that pearl gouramis were ok with the betta, so please don't think I was chucking them all in together to see what happened