Protective Betta?

[Mollygirls]

Hi all,

I am new to this fish world and trying to learn as I go.. I have however run into an issue regarding my son's betta. My husband and I have a 30 gallon tropical tank and a 10 gallon tank. My son had a small betta tank in his room with a beautiful male betta in it.
My sister informed me that its not true that Betta's like small spaces and to get him out of there and stick him in a warm tank before he dies! Oh course I panicked as my 7 year old lost his betta a few weeks ago and cried his heart out and I dont want my 9 year old suffering the same. So alas I took my son's betta out of fear and stuck him in my 30 gallon with my fish.

However he is being cranky right now. Fireball as my son calls him is highly protective of his little spot at the top of the tank, which is understandable but he is now chasing my other fish around and flaring his gills at the side of his head and kinda swimming sideways with all his fins out. Now while he looks amazing with all the fins flowing high but he isnt being nice and chasing and biting my other tropical fish! UGH!

So now I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. I dont want him to go back in the small tank but I also dont want my other fish to suffer and hide from him. I have 15 fish hiding on one side and mr. fireball has the entire side to himself..LOL

So is this normal behaviour for a Betta? I was under the impression that he was okay living with tropical non aggresive fish?

Help what can I do to make everyone happy and not let my son's fish suffer and not to let my fish suffer.. Stupid me said yes to him having a betta thinking it was easy to clean his tank every few days and he would live happily, I was apparently wrong!!

 

[kizno1]

what are the other fish in there i put 1 in with my guppies and it had killed 2 in a couple of hours
and do you have a breeding trap or anythink you can put it in

 

[stang1]

How big is your sons tank and does it have a filter and heater?

 

[riogal_11]

That's not normal behavior at all. In fact it is how a fish will act when threatened and stressed. However small your other tank is really isn't a big issue in dealing with the immediate problem. Put him back in there for the time being until everything is sorted.
You didn't mention what the other fish are in your tank, but even still he obviously isn't going to get along with them even if they are proper to keep with him.
So, in short: move him out IMMEDIATELY before you have dead fish, and then if your tank really is too small go get a bigger one.

 

[Mollygirls]

I have zebra danio's, a male molly, tetra's and Platy's. There are two male gourmies (sp) as well.. And George our algae eater!

The tank we bought for the betta is apparently made for a betta *shrugs* it has no filter or heater as we were told that its all we need for a betta. Unfourtunatly I didnt question it nor did I read up on betta's like I have for my tropical. My sister is the one who yelled at me to get him warm and in a bigger tank.. Its probably a 1 gallon tank if I had to guess.

 

[kizno1]

it wont like the gourami you shouldnt mix bettas and gouramis

 

[Netty]

Bettas are very territorial and some will not tolerate any tank mates at all. There are some nice little tanks on the market which come with filters and heaters which would be ideal for him to have to himself.

This is one of ours...it's an aqua start 320 which we've divided for two bettas but you can also leave it as it is for one. The temp needs to be kept constant at around 27/28c

 

[Glegorly]

Bettas are very territorial and some will not tolerate any tank mates at all. There are some nice little tanks on the market which come with filters and heaters which would be ideal for him to have to himself.

This is one of ours...it's an aqua start 320 which we've divided for two bettas but you can also leave it as it is for one. The temp needs to be kept constant at around 27/28c

Netty that tank is so cute! It's like a little Betta village

 

[Netty]

Thank you We also have an aqua start 500. They are great little tanks.

 

[ReMz]

I have zebra danio's, a male molly, tetra's and Platy's. There are two male gourmies (sp) as well.. And George our algae eater!

The tank we bought for the betta is apparently made for a betta *shrugs* it has no filter or heater as we were told that its all we need for a betta. Unfourtunatly I didnt question it nor did I read up on betta's like I have for my tropical. My sister is the one who yelled at me to get him warm and in a bigger tank.. Its probably a 1 gallon tank if I had to guess.

oh good god. get the betta outta there. not compatible. big problems to come.... let alone tetras can be hard tank mates as well due to their 'nipping'. Even danios, platies, and mollies may not mix with your betta.

Ideally, you would have a 5gal heated, and 'lightly' filtered tank for the betta.

 

[Mollygirls]

Well it looks like I need to go shopping today then.. He seems to be getting along right now but who's to say that will last.. I really dont want to stick him back in that little tank. Its very cold and not big at all. No wonder the poor guy seemed so sad all the time.

Thanks so much for the info.. Its great being able to learn so much about Betta's!

Netty that is a beautiful tank.

 

[Netty]

Thanks Mollygirls It would also be a great little project for your boys to decorate and learn how to look after their little friends properly. There are so many nice decorations out there that can make your betta's enviroment interesting and fun to look at.

Keep us updated on how things go

 

[Mollygirls]

Well right after I said all was well. It turned nasty.. UGH.. My blue Gourmi decided to take a bite out of fireball's tail and needless to say fireball didnt like that and started chasing everything in the tank and nipping at them all.. So for now he is back in his little tank for safety.. My son told me he needs to stay close to the big tank so he doesnt get lonely.. *grin* so his baby tank is inbetween the 30 gallon and 10 gallon!

He really doesnt look happy right now being in this little tank. He is swimming around like a maniac.. I think hes upset he doesnt have a lot of room! Sigh.. So hard making little fish happy but I am certainly going to try!

Thanks again.. Hopefully I will be able to get a pic of shortly of him.. He is a bit camera shy though!

 

[Netty]

Oh dear!!!! At least you were there to spot what was happening and get him out quick.

Once you have a larger tank set up for him you'll notice a huge difference in him....his colours will become more vibrant and he'll be much more active and alot happier than he is now

 

[BlueGuppy]

Great job on listening to the advice. Some people usually don't. I can't wait to see/hear about the new tank. Great luck with it!