I Know, Another One. Tank Mates.

[cursedblad3]

My brother is getting an approx. 50L tank for his male betta tomorrow. He is going to get a bristlenose plec. However, we did not know what would be some good and interesting tank mates for his betta for this tank size.

What are your personal preferences and opinions.

 

[blue_betta]

why not set up a sorority tank? get mabey 6 females of different colours and tail types if you can. mabey keep the male in his tank as he is but if you can put his tank next to the sorority so he has some girlfriends to flare at

 

[cursedblad3]

He wants the male in the new tank. Also, my mum would not thank me if i was setting up multiple tanks for him. She already complains about me having a tank, my sister having a tank, the small tank my brother already has. Adn my dads bearded dragons lol.

Despite getting this 50L tank for free she was still against the idea of me getting it for him. Took a good bit of convincing.

 

[stang1]

Sadly, fighters don't do well in a community tank. Although people have kept them successfully, males do better in a tank of their own as they are solitary fish by nature. Keeping a male in a community tank could stress hin out as he will be territorial.
The other problem is water flow, fighters prefer the water movement to be minimal.

 

[Fish_Stix]

Sadly, fighters don't do well in a community tank. Although people have kept them successfully, males do better in a tank of their own as they are solitary fish by nature. Keeping a male in a community tank could stress hin out as he will be territorial.

I would have to disagree slightly . My betta (Ralph) has lived in a community tank for over a year and he is quite happy. He is not even slightly territorial towards the other fish and they leave him alone as well. Of course like anything there are exceptions and certain variables that can add stress to your betta, one you mentioned was water flow. However, choosing the right tankmates for your betta is absolutely essential. Another variable that must be taken into account is tank size. The more space your fish have to swim about, the less chance for confrontation and the less stress on your betta and other fish. I believe the rate of introduction of new fish into betta territory is also key and should be done in small increments over an extended period of time so the betta has time to adapt to the change.

My own personal rule of thumb is that if another fish is as attractive looking or more attractive looking than the betta, it is probably not a good idea to pair them in the same tank. If another fish as brilliant in color as the betta is in the same tank, who do you think he will immediately associate the other fish as? My guess would be probably another male betta or at least another rival to compete against for food/territory. In other words, the less varicolored the fish, the better. I have never had a single issue between my other fish and my betta by following this rule.

Out of curiosity may I ask what you mean by male bettas do better on their own? Are you referring to in terms of their overall lifespan, health and behavior?

 

[stang1]

I've kept a Betta in a community tank and I now keep Bettas on their own. My fighters appear healthier, more colourful and prefer to have minimal water movement.
This is my experience and opinions will differ. I have spoken to numerous people who have owned Bettas and have found that their fighters also do better on their own. Again, this is just opinions.
Like I said, some people have had success keeping one in a community tank.

 

[monica]

50 litres = ? Gallons?

I suggest White cloud Moutain minnows (your lfs might call them minnows or White Clouds). They are great at dodging any betta attacks, and are very fast swimmers and take pretty little bites, so all the fish will get equal shares of the food.
They have nice colours (but not very bright), and are very hardy, so you could probably even pull out the filter and they would do fine. I do not suggest this though, as their colours are always nicer in filtered water
They can stay at varied temperatures.

Just my opinion, but these minnows are really great! Not nippy either I would get at least 4 though.

 

[stang1]

The only problem with Minnows is they prefer a well filtered tank with plenty of water movement.

 

[cursedblad3]

Well me and my brother are going to take that plunge. I know it is possible, just not easy. But we are going to try and have a go.

 

[stang1]

Good luck and I hope it works out!
Make sure you have a small tank just in case it doesn't though.

 

[cursedblad3]

I have several empty tanks with no fish in so no worries there.

 

[stang1]

I have several empty tanks with no fish in so no worries there.

 

[Fish_Stix]

This is my experience and opinions will differ. I have spoken to numerous people who have owned Bettas and have found that their fighters also do better on their own. Again, this is just opinions.

This is very true.

 

[cursedblad3]

bump.

 

[aaronnorth]

50 litres = ? Gallons?

I suggest White cloud Moutain minnows (your lfs might call them minnows or White Clouds). They are great at dodging any betta attacks, and are very fast swimmers and take pretty little bites, so all the fish will get equal shares of the food.
They have nice colours (but not very bright), and are very hardy, so you could probably even pull out the filter and they would do fine. I do not suggest this though, as their colours are always nicer in filtered water
They can stay at varied temperatures.

Just my opinion, but these minnows are really great! Not nippy either I would get at least 4 though.

11 UK gallons