New Fighting Fish

[clareanded]

Hi,

Weekend just passed my girlfriend and I bought a fighting fish for our 60l Bi-Orb which has been setup and cycled in preperation. All is well and he is seems very happy exploring his new home, we picked up some floating plants at the same time which seem very popular.

Couple of questions though for you experts!

1 - Is there any way to estimate his age? Due to the short lifespan I would like to be able to know his age when we purchased him (I know, should've asked at the LFS but forgot )

2 - Can anyone recommend any tank mates (to be added in a few weeks time) that would be compatible. Current temp is 27 degree's if that is any help.

Cheers,

Ed

 

[sunpirate2u]

27 F or 27 c? A betta tank needs to be 75-82 F. Boy or girl betta? Female's are a lot calmer. Males can be trouble sometimes with other fish. Heres all that betta's can go with

Cory cats (Peace)
Dainos/Minnows
Mollies (some problems with betta)
Platies (peace)
Pleco (peace)
Rainbow fish
Rasbora
Sowrdtails
Tetras (peace)

The others that i did not lable I never had any with betta's. An other member can tell you other wise.

 

[stang1]

There are very few fish that can ideally be kept with a Betta.
You could keep Corydoras, a group of 5-6 as they prefer groups.
You need to stay away from anything too colourful or with long flowing fins as the Betta may see these as a threat and attack them. Also, some fish are renowned for fin nipping such as certain Danios/Tetras/Barbs so they wouldn't work with a Betta either. Some people have had success with Harlequin Rasboras and white Cloud Mountain Minnows.

 

[OohFeeshy]

^ Not in a Biorb. No bottomdwellers, and there's not much room for schooling fish.

 

[Lynda B]

1 - Is there any way to estimate his age? Due to the short lifespan I would like to be able to know his age when we purchased him (I know, should've asked at the LFS but forgot )

If he is in full finnage, he's most likely 6 months to a year old. I don't know why the stores never seem to get really young bettas, but they don't. If you post a picture, it might be easier to take a better guess at the age.

 

[clareanded]

Picture is above, it is a he as I am sure you can tell from the longer fins and he is approx 3-4cm in length (excl tail) at present.

Water temp is defo 27 C and not F as that would be sub zero

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Dan-25]

Hi Mate nice vt youve got,

bettas from pet shops / lfs are usually about a year old as said previously and will be in full finnage.

to be honest mate stocking other fish with a betta is not ncessarily a no no - it all depnds on the nature of the betta some can be quite peaceful and live with other species some can be nasty little buggers but you never know until you mix them and by that time its too late so youd have to rehome your betta or the other fish.

but now youve had one betta i dont think it will be long until you get another tank and another betta and another tank and thats how it starts

good luck mate

 

[community begginer]

they truely are addictive when it comes to keeping them. they are such a beutiful fish. good stuff.

 

[clareanded]

Hi,

Still deciding on potential tankmates for "Mooch" as he is now known. At present considering Cardinal, Neon or Lamp Eye Tetra's. Although I think the Lamp Eye's are too nippy to be included? Does anyone have any opinions / tips if we were to go ahead and do this? I am aware of the need for hiding places, sensitivity to water changes and numbers needed for schooling.

Any advise very welcome.

Thanks, Ed

 

[garethusa]

hi ed,

i have a 60l biorb that i made into a sorority betta tank - i have six females that i am trying to get to co-exist peacefully.

i also have a baby biorb that is for my only male betta with no friends.

they both have a combination of live plants and fake ones. i also just got the feng shui pebbles to decorate in both from biorbparts.com. they make a lovely landscape.

i may plan to the biUbe for a molly tank only - i would love to have the red and orange mollies, and a few dalmation mollies, and some mickey mouse mollies. it's a 9 gallon tank and i don't know much about mollies but with some research, i will see when that will happen.

good luck!