New Tank - Betta Time?

[Million]

Hi all,
I'd first like to say, i've never kept a betta splendens before, but some of the photos on here have made me want one! I'm lined up to be getting a 28L nano-tank, which I will keep in my bedroom. At the moment I have a ~120L community tank already set up for 6 months in the lounge. I have a few questions.
1. I'm tempted to get a male betta to keep in the 28L tank, from what i've read this is a comfortable enough size for one, correct?
2. If so, what else could I put in with it? Thinking bottom feeders, maybe shrimp, minnows?
3. Could I put a female betta in the community tank? It contains 3 tinfoil barbs, 8 tiger barbs, 8 silver mollies, 8 platties, 2 angels, 1 talking catfish, 1 blue gourami, 1 common plec, 1 giant african fan shrimp.
4. If I had a male in the 28, could I eventually think about introducing the female with a view to breeding?
5. If I were to breed them in there, once the eggs were laid and the female removed, could I leave the male in the tank with the fry?
Sorry about all the questions - it's just that the idea of breeding these magnificent looking fish is fascinating to me. Thanks for taking the time to read this!
Cheers

 

[Monty2451]

Well you certainly seem to have done your research, kudos! A 28 liter would be fine for a male and a couple other tankmates. A snail and some shrimp or maybe a couple otos would be good, but I think that tank is too small for corys and definitely to small for any danios/minnows as they need lots of room to swim around. The female should be fine in that community tank, so no worries there. As for breeding, that tank should work also, just remember to lower the water level to accommodate the fry. The female should be placed in a chimney (a clear, open ended structure in the tank that allows the fish to view each other, but not make contact) until they are properly conditioned. You'll have to read up more to get the finer points on this, but whatever you do, don't just put the two in the same tank, they'll tear one another apart. The female should be removed right after breeding to avoid her being injured. As to when to remove the male, there are varying viewpoints. Some remove him once the fry are free swimming, some remove him earlier if he's eating the eggs, and some leave him in there for much longer as they believe that he picks off the weak/deformed/sickly fry. So do some more reading to nail down the finer points and what you need in order to accomplish this task (i.e. live food culture for the fry, appropriate barracks for the males etc.) and be sure to take your time in picking a pair you really want to breed. So be sure you have all the info. before delving into this, it will take months of preparation, but will be worth it in the end. Good luck!

 

[bronzecat]

Hi
Hey, 28L is about 6.2 gallons?? Divide it and have two males You know it makes sense

Best of luck

 

[stang1]

I'd keep just one male in the 28litre, he'll certainly appreciate the room!
Breeding Bettas is something that shouldn't be taken on lightly so make sure you not only do plenty of research but also have the time, money and space to do so. You also need to ensure that you have an lfs who would be willing to take them off your hands.
I wouldn't add anything else to your community tank as you are already overstocked.
Tinfoil Barbs can grow to 12", need to be kept in groups of 5+ and need plenty of swimming space. They are also known to eat small fish. We had one at work that was about 8" and died after getting a 3" Gourami stuck in his throat.
Your Common Pleco can reach up to 18" and needs a minimum tank size of 5'x2'x2'. They also produce lots of waste and need excellent filtration.

 

[eb2]

Hi
Hey, 28L is about 6.2 gallons?? Divide it and have two males You know it makes sense

Best of luck

Love that idea, been toying with it myself, do you need to DIY divide that size, I've seen kits starting at 10 gals, or can that size be cut back ?

 

[stang1]

I've found the more room a Betta has, the happier he'll be but that's just my own personal experience. My boys all have 6 gallons each and love the swimming space. It also means you've got room to add some nice decor and plants and still have rooom for your fish to swim about.
You could divide a 10G in two as they'd still have lots of space. Some people use dividers which they pick up from craft stores.

 

[eb2]

I've found the more room a Betta has, the happier he'll be but that's just my own personal experience. My boys all have 6 gallons each and love the swimming space. It also means you've got room to add some nice decor and plants and still have rooom for your fish to swim about.
You could divide a 10G in two as they'd still have lots of space. Some people use dividers which they pick up from craft stores.

my fish is happy in the 3, although I'm about to get a 5 because I feel it will be easier for me to work with. I don't imagine the fish will mind either, but I don't think I would event try to divide anything smaller then a 10 gal myself. Is there any bottom feeder you would put in a 5 with a Betta?

 

[stang1]

Not many I'm afraid. You could go with a small group of Pygmy Corydoras or a group of Ottos, although they do like well filtered tanks.
Some people have had success with Shrimp but not sure what type would be best.

 

[Phoenixbaby]

Dave is in a 4 gallon tank, and is loving being on his own, that and the fact he can now laze about on his plant without being eaten lol

I think maybe putting a stone sucker in, in think theyre also referred to as chinese algea eaters, would be ok?

 

[stang1]

If the Chinese Algae Eater is the one known as a sucking Loach, then I'd stay well clear.

Chinese algae eater

You may be thinking of Hillstream Loaches/Borneo Suckers which only grow to about 4cm and are very docile. Unfortunately, they prefer fast flowing water and cooler temperatures.

Hillstream Loach

 

[bronzecat]

Hi
Hey, 28L is about 6.2 gallons?? Divide it and have two males You know it makes sense

Best of luck

Love that idea, been toying with it myself, do you need to DIY divide that size, I've seen kits starting at 10 gals, or can that size be cut back ?

Sorry about the delay, having connection problems

I made the dividers myself. Black plastic from a document wallet and the black plastic document binders. Stuck the binders in with aquarium sealant. Cut out the plastic to fit, ensuring its high enough out the water. Drilled holes to allow flow and shaved off the burrs with a stanley blade. Job done

The tank has matured more now and the plants are bigger and better

There are differing views to what size bettas require, some say more some say less. These two have 3.1 gallons each which i feel is more that adequate. Some people have found that male bettas in big tanks haven't done well. Its down to your views and experiences really

 

[lovemyfraggies]

I have a male betta in a 6 gallon with a dwarf frog, 1 otto, who is very active, and a few ghost shrimp. They all live together happily. I put some driftwood and real plants and the frog lives in a small terra cotta planter. My other male betta is in 20 gallon community tank who seems very happy with the other fish and is always busy and playing. It really depends on the betta. Bettas are fun abd beautiful. Good luck!

 

[eb2]

Hi
Hey, 28L is about 6.2 gallons?? Divide it and have two males You know it makes sense

Best of luck

Love that idea, been toying with it myself, do you need to DIY divide that size, I've seen kits starting at 10 gals, or can that size be cut back ?

Sorry about the delay, having connection problems

I made the dividers myself. Black plastic from a document wallet and the black plastic document binders. Stuck the binders in with aquarium sealant. Cut out the plastic to fit, ensuring its high enough out the water. Drilled holes to allow flow and shaved off the burrs with a stanley blade. Job done

The tank has matured more now and the plants are bigger and better


There are differing views to what size bettas require, some say more some say less. These two have 3.1 gallons each which i feel is more that adequate. Some people have found that male bettas in big tanks haven't done well. Its down to your views and experiences really

I like the black(opaque) divider, to keep fish from aggravating each other, but I'm not up for any drilling. You know, I've never seen my fish go in his planter, when he does rest on the bottom it's pretty much in an open space, and he'll make himself real flat. I did just give him a stirofoam floating cave to try out. What filter and heater do you have on there?

 

[Million]

I wouldn't add anything else to your community tank as you are already overstocked.
Tinfoil Barbs can grow to 12", need to be kept in groups of 5+ and need plenty of swimming space. They are also known to eat small fish. We had one at work that was about 8" and died after getting a 3" Gourami stuck in his throat.
Your Common Pleco can reach up to 18" and needs a minimum tank size of 5'x2'x2'. They also produce lots of waste and need excellent filtration.

This is interesting advice. I'm aware that both of these species can potentially grow large, but as yet, they are small (~5cm). As for the group of 5+, this goes against what the guys in my LFS said, and my tinfoil barbs seem very content at the moment. The common plec is small, I can get rid of him when he gets too big - exchange, sell, swap, what ever, but I don't think I need to worry about that for some time yet.

I'm not sure about the betta breeding idea, it was just a thought. As for dividing tanks - no offence intended but I'm not a fan. I like my tank to look natural, so it's just not something i'd go for. Thanks for all the advice on what would go with a male betta too.

Does anyone have any other specimen fish they would suggest as an alternative to keeping a betta in the 28L tank?

 

[stang1]

You could go with a Dwarf Puffer, two at a push if it has plenty of plants and decent filtration.
As for your lfs, they haven't given you the right advice, I'm afraid. Barbs are shoaling fish and do a lot better in a group. Your Tinfoils may be small now but when they get bigger, they will become a threat to your other fish. Not only are they boisterous but they will also cause havoc if the tank isn't big enough.
I know you say about rehoming your Common but the longer you keep him, the more attached you'll become. They are great characters and not easy to part with when the time comes.
We end up having to rehome quite a few Commons/Gibbiceps at our store because they've outgrown the tank. Unfortunately, not many of them will be rehomed as people only want them when they are small so they can watch them grow.