As some of you may know, I recently obtained a 5 gallon Fluval Chi and rescued 5 Harlequin Rasboras and a Betta from its neglectful owners. While the rasboras were healthy and are enjoying life in a clean 20 gallon, the betta, named Alpha, unfotunaley passed away after suffering and enduring from a nasty case of columnaris.
I'm still grieving, but eventually, I will need to move on with the rescape. And that means fish.
There are currently three cherry shrimp in there, with plans on adding more neocardinia shrimp in the future. Alpha, the previous betta, was very timid and never went after any of the cherries. Even when one of them was the smaller than my pinkie nail.
Personally, I think only a betta will be happy in a 5 gallon. My LFS has Endler's Livebearers,they are shrimp safe, but it just doesn't seem morally right to confine active fish to a small tank. Plus, they are all male, and in my expieriance, a group of male livebearers will devote all their time to eating and beating the poo out of each other.
My LFS has Celestial Pearl Danios too, but again, I feel they are far too active for a 5 gallon.
They don't have Mosquito Rasboras, but again, they are active and deserve bigger.
I would like a betta, but I know it depends on the personality if they're shrimp compatible. Alpha was timid, but I'm afraid I'll get a betta who'll eat my shrimp in a heartbeat. Is there anyway to check this in store? While online Bettas are faaar more beautiful, I feel like after my failure with Alpha, I should rescue another betta.
Just had a thought, would female bettas have a bigger chance of not eating shrimp?
Thanks for the help
I'm still grieving, but eventually, I will need to move on with the rescape. And that means fish.
There are currently three cherry shrimp in there, with plans on adding more neocardinia shrimp in the future. Alpha, the previous betta, was very timid and never went after any of the cherries. Even when one of them was the smaller than my pinkie nail.
Personally, I think only a betta will be happy in a 5 gallon. My LFS has Endler's Livebearers,they are shrimp safe, but it just doesn't seem morally right to confine active fish to a small tank. Plus, they are all male, and in my expieriance, a group of male livebearers will devote all their time to eating and beating the poo out of each other.
My LFS has Celestial Pearl Danios too, but again, I feel they are far too active for a 5 gallon.
They don't have Mosquito Rasboras, but again, they are active and deserve bigger.
I would like a betta, but I know it depends on the personality if they're shrimp compatible. Alpha was timid, but I'm afraid I'll get a betta who'll eat my shrimp in a heartbeat. Is there anyway to check this in store? While online Bettas are faaar more beautiful, I feel like after my failure with Alpha, I should rescue another betta.
Just had a thought, would female bettas have a bigger chance of not eating shrimp?
Thanks for the help
