friends for my betta

[mrpandajames]

Hi there, i am a "newbie" so to speak. However i am tyring to do everything right, and safe, so my fish live long and happy lives!

I decided to start small, since it is my first tank. I have a 10 gallon tank. I have a peice of drift wood in there and want to add some plants eventuly, but just keep it simply at first, cus i know plants can be hard.

my first question is this, What sort of suggestions are there for tankmakes with my betta? I know there would only be two or three, becuase of the size.

I am not a fan or tretras, but want something smaller so that i might beable to get away with three more fish. I was also thinking a algee feeder might be nice. I read that oto's can be good, and small, but i don't know much about them.

also.. would a crab be out of the question? i don't know how big it gets but i have seen a "patriot crab" that i love! maybe that will have to wait thou... oh and maybe those little anferican frogs? they are cute

i do not want to over stalk.. and i know i can't have all of these things, but maybe some combo ? i really am not sure... thanks in advance!!!

 

[jkrekord]

Hi there, i am a "newbie" so to speak. However i am tyring to do everything right, and safe, so my fish live long and happy lives!

I decided to start small, since it is my first tank. I have a 10 gallon tank. I have a peice of drift wood in there and want to add some plants eventuly, but just keep it simply at first, cus i know plants can be hard.

my first question is this, What sort of suggestions are there for tankmakes with my betta? I know there would only be two or three, becuase of the size.

I am not a fan or tretras, but want something smaller so that i might beable to get away with three more fish. I was also thinking a algee feeder might be nice. I read that oto's can be good, and small, but i don't know much about them.

also.. would a crab be out of the question? i don't know how big it gets but i have seen a "patriot crab" that i love! maybe that will have to wait thou... oh and maybe those little anferican frogs? they are cute

i do not want to over stalk.. and i know i can't have all of these things, but maybe some combo ? i really am not sure... thanks in advance!!!

[snapback]894483[/snapback]​

ok first of all bettas are fantastic yet dont get on with many fish as a lot of fish nip theyre fins an fish they would possibly gett along with like a current an bettas dont however bettas do get on with some things for a 10 gallon i reccomend
1 male betta
2 -3 african dwarf frogs(do not need land 100% aquatic)
1 apple snail
(if you dont like apple snails anutha 1 or 2 african dwarf frogs)
thats a pretty neat setup for a newbie like yourself if you like bettas oh yea an welcome to the forum

 

[Annastasia]

There's a whole pinned topic on acceptable Betta tankmates here. That should be able to help you some.

Also, another option would be dividing it up, and putting in 2-4 Bettas. This can be useful if you see a bunch of Bettas you really like, and you just can't decide.

Or you could try a female community, with probably 8 females. Ask in the Betta section about that though, first, and they'll tell you lots of info about how to set it up for females. Actually, here is a current thread about it: Female Tank

 

[mrpandajames]

thank you for the welcome! yes i think i will go with a few afircan froggies. they are so cute! But i am not excited about snail. are there any other algee eaters with would work with the 2-3 frogs and my betta? thanks!!

 

[Annastasia]

Otos could work well. Though they tend to be sensitive, so I'd try to keep the water quality pretty good. And they like to be in groups, so try to get at least 3.

Also, here's a good post by Toxis-Phoenix on Otos...

on the oto note, if your lfs gets any in stock try not to buy them straight away but instead leave them for a week or 2 as it appears oto's are most prone to sudden death syndrome when they have just been shipped into a lfs or transported from a big distance as they don't seem to cope well with travelling for long periods of time and any that are still alive after the first week of been the lfs will be much hardier.

And with the frogs, make sure you get African Dwarf Frogs, not African Clawed Frogs, as Clawed frogs can be aggressive to your fish.

 

[jkrekord]

i second ottos they are hard workin lil fellas
1 male betta
3 african dwarf frogs
3 ottos
thats gona be a decent setup
you wil need to feed them on
betta flakes or pellets(ask for advice)
bloodworm live or frozen near enough everythin likes them especialy frogs thats prety much all hey eat(you do get the odd exception)
algae tablets for the ottos
that will be a great setup

 

[mrpandajames]

i second ottos they are hard workin lil fellas
1 male betta
3 african dwarf frogs
3 ottos
thats gona be a decent setup
you wil need to feed them on
betta flakes or pellets(ask for advice)
bloodworm live or frozen near enough everythin likes them especialy frogs thats prety much all hey eat(you do get the odd exception)
algae tablets for the ottos
that will be a great setup

[snapback]894947[/snapback]​

that sounds awasume!! i think i'll go with frogs and otos! i will have to go to my local fish shop to ask about the otos.. as they sound fragile !! but it sounds awasume... thanks for all the advise!

 

[Annastasia]

How long has your tank been set-up and cycled for? As I've found Otos do the best in established tanks.

And you do know all about water changes, correct?

 

[jkrekord]

your welcome congrats on your decision that will be amazing just make sure you get african DWARF frog an not african CLAWED frog they are hard to tell apart in the shops keep us updated on the betta part lok forward to hearin from you

 

[mrpandajames]

How long has your tank been set-up and cycled for? As I've found Otos do the best in established tanks.

And you do know all about water changes, correct?

[snapback]894968[/snapback]​

yes well, i have heard water change everyday, and i have also heard water change everythree days. So i was doing everyday, but then i tried three days. Right now i have drift wood in there that is bleeding a LOT. so it is really thorwing off my tests.. the water is greenish/ yellowish from the wood, and so its makeing it hard to read things right.

But yes i have been changeing about 15-20% of the water alsmot daily. The tank is only about a week old, so its going to be awhile before I add anything.. but its fun to plan ahead anyways.

i figuered when its ready i would add the frogs first, let them settle in for a while, then add the otos. I think they might be harder to find thou.. i have not see any in the local stores. althou i haven't looked that hard! lol.

thanks again! this forum is awasume!

 

[jkrekord]

i think you mite be best addin the betta first then the frogs then ottos but i mite be rong good luck to you an when it is setup post it in the betta section an update us on everythin keep me informed oh yea by the way check these bettas (warnin they are pricey)
[URL=http/www.aquabid.com(fishy ebay us only)
[URL=http/www.kgbettas.co.uk(uk only)
or are you just getin theyre still beutys )

 

[Mickslack]

i think you mite be best addin the betta first then the frogs then ottos but i mite be rong good luck to you an when it is setup post it in the betta section an update us on everythin keep me informed oh yea by the way check these bettas (warnin they are pricey)
[snapback]895674[/snapback][/right]

You may as well add pleco's they go gr8 with bettas, larger fish such as loaches, upside down cats i have happily kept with them to the secrett is to by a few tall palnts for the betta to make home in, as they naturally live in a small area, i would not dare to put guppies tetras etc as the betta will nip at them and stress himselft out or use any other surface fish.

 

[Annastasia]

You may as well add pleco's they go gr8 with bettas, larger fish such as loaches, upside down cats i have happily kept with them to the secrett is to by a few tall palnts for the betta to make home in, as they naturally live in a small area, i would not dare to put guppies tetras etc as the betta will nip at them and stress himselft out or use any other surface fish.

[snapback]895759[/snapback]​

Almost all Plecos and Loaches will get too big for a 10 gallon though. Some Loaches can also be nippy. I'd just stick with what he has now, as they will stay small enough, and will also work together well.

mrpandajames - If you are cycling the tank, why are you changing the water? Unless, you're doing a cycle with fish....but it doesn't sound like that. Here's an article on Fishless Cycling...you might want to read through it, it has some great information.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=73365

Best of luck with your tank!

 

[mrpandajames]

You may as well add pleco's they go gr8 with bettas, larger fish such as loaches, upside down cats i have happily kept with them to the secrett is to by a few tall palnts for the betta to make home in, as they naturally live in a small area, i would not dare to put guppies tetras etc as the betta will nip at them and stress himselft out or use any other surface fish.

[snapback]895759[/snapback]​

Almost all Plecos and Loaches will get too big for a 10 gallon though. Some Loaches can also be nippy. I'd just stick with what he has now, as they will stay small enough, and will also work together well.

mrpandajames - If you are cycling the tank, why are you changing the water? Unless, you're doing a cycle with fish....but it doesn't sound like that. Here's an article on Fishless Cycling...you might want to read through it, it has some great information.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=73365

Best of luck with your tank!

[snapback]895766[/snapback]​

yes, sorry, i was probably not clear.. i got my Betta to cycle the tank with. Cus hes a hardly little guy. hes doing well, eating good, and his colors are much more bight then when i got him! Hes mostly white with some blue along his fins! and his eyes are blue! hes cute! So, yes thtas why i am changing the water!

 

[Mickslack]

You may as well add pleco's they go gr8 with bettas,  larger fish such as loaches, upside down cats i have happily kept with them to the secrett is to by a few tall palnts for the betta to make home in, as they naturally live in a small area,  i would not dare to put guppies tetras etc as the betta will nip at them and stress himselft out or use any other surface fish.

[snapback]895759[/snapback]​

Almost all Plecos and Loaches will get too big for a 10 gallon though. Some Loaches can also be nippy. I'd just stick with what he has now, as they will stay small enough, and will also work together well.

mrpandajames - If you are cycling the tank, why are you changing the water? Unless, you're doing a cycle with fish....but it doesn't sound like that. Here's an article on Fishless Cycling...you might want to read through it, it has some great information.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=73365

Best of luck with your tank!

[snapback]895766[/snapback]​

yes, sorry, i was probably not clear.. i got my Betta to cycle the tank with. Cus hes a hardly little guy. hes doing well, eating good, and his colors are much more bight then when i got him! Hes mostly white with some blue along his fins! and his eyes are blue! hes cute! So, yes thtas why i am changing the water!

[snapback]895968[/snapback]​

Sorry I took it you had already cycled your tank, However I have never had a problem with the fish i suggested, clown loaches are fine with my betta females and they live hapily with a leopard pleco and several bristle nose you just need plenty of caves and rocks to hide behind I just bury a few small bits of pipe and stick a few tall bits of slate