Is This A Suitable Home For A Betta

[sneezy]

Please advise me if this is a suitable home for a betta, which I'm rescuing from a friends coldwater tank (she got very bad advise and its attacking her goldies)

It is 30l with a rena filster filter (filled with mature media from my fluval 3+) It also has a 25w heater.

The issue I'm a bit worried about is that is has a mirrored back and I heard Bettas do not like this. I have put fake plants across the back to try and cover it a bit and I have also put a root ornament in. The problem being its now a bit crowded and I'm worried it won't have enough swimming space.

Anyway I will add some pics and any advice will be gratefully received.

Oh and I have added ammonia to test that the filter can process it ok and will add the betta on Monday/tuesday all being well, so have a bit of time to make any changes

 

[mooey65]

Am sure a betta would love that.

 

[LauraFrog]

The only problem with mirrored backs is that bettas will attack their own reflection, it seems in time that they eventually learn that it's not another betta and stop going for it - mine do, at least. Is the back see through from behind at all? Because if it's highly reflective glass, you can reduce this effect a lot by putting a dark background against it, but if it's actually a mirror there's not much you can do, and it probably won't matter that much.

Looks like a great tank though, I'm sure he will be very happy in it.

 

[bronzecat]

I think anything would be better for it than being in cold water with goldfish, so i say go for it

 

[Honeythorn]

That's a nice tank. Just get some longer/taller silk or real plants, but only arrange the on the back, with one or two at the sides to rest on. It should help .

 

[silverrabbit]

One of my betta tanks is like that - at first Kai was a bit flare-happy, but he didn't bother with his reflection after a week or so. He flares at his reflection if I hold up a mirror though, strange boy.

 

[sneezy]

Thanks for the quick replies. I did consider real plants but have enough trouble keeping them alive in my 4fter so thought it would be too much hassle in a smaller tank. I might be able to transfer some cuttings at a later date.

It is mirrored inside unfortunately so it can't be covered at all.

While I'm here can you advise me a little on keeping a betta happy because I have no experience (Community tank is mostly tetras)

I have ordered some Hikari betta food. Should I also feed bloodworm once a week. Do they like Daphnia?

Also are they truly happy on their own. I do worry it will get lonely.

Thanks again

 

[silverrabbit]

I think he'll forget about the mirror soon enough, but you can get some really tall fake plants that look pretty cool.

I've got cory's in with one betta, and some shrimp in with another - they all leave each other alone no probs.

My guys seems to really love the Hikari Betta Bio Gold pellet things, and they also enjoy a small amount of bloodworm once a week

 

[nosoup4you]

Just let the back get covered with algae...problem fixed. lol You could do a nice moss wall.

 

[newfishy]

if you got a bit of background plastic, cut it to fit the inside and when empty very carefully put it on the inside that would work perfect. but you would have to disasemble it and then put everything back.

 

[electric yellow]

Forget real plants....go with silk ones.

 

[LauraFrog]

Basically it's the same as other fish - 25% water changes every week, clean the filter when it clogs up, keep the temp around 25-30C. About 6 pellets a day is suitable for most bettas, the Hikari food is excellent.

Bettas definitely don't mind being alone when they have a nice big tank to poke around in. If you really wanted to you could put some small shrimp in there, but a tall tank isn't ideal for dwarf bottom dwellers like otos or pygmy corys. Those are the best tankmates for bettas. You don't have to worry about him getting lonely - he'll be a lot happier in there on his own than in a tank full of goldfish.