Really Need To Know....

[Amberleaf]

Hey, all; I was thinking today and I'm wondering if these fish might be fine for Mr. Wimpy Fish to go in with them?

I currently have (in my 10-gallon, including my one fish in the fry tank atm):
- 10 neon tetras
- 3 mickey mouse platies
- 1 white cloud mountain minnow

Are any of these fish fin nippers?

The temperature is always hovering just above 75*C; but, then again, the thermometer is on the other side of the tank, *AWAY* from the heater. Which, I might add, is usually on at night.

Will this be okay? I'll keep Mr. Wimpy Fish's tank set up, just in case.... But I really *would* love to get him out of that 2.5-gallon tank, and even if it *is* overstocked, wells.... Since my hamster died (R.I.P., Squik ) I now have more space in my bedroom, and I found this 25-gallon on BuySell.Com for my region (actually, just a half-hour drive approx. from me), so I might actually go and buy it. ^^; Mr. Wimpy Fish would only be living in a somewhat-overstocked tank for a couple of months (less, actually; I *might* use my platies for fish-in cycling; not allowed to do a fishless one with ammonia and all that such); also, do you think it might be better if I moved some of the neons into my Mom's tank when I add in Mr. Wimpy Fish?

But now, for the most serious problems of all:

He has some gill problems, and I think it might be some sort of parasite (I have pictures, but won't be able to get them uploaded until tomorrow, unfortunately DX), so might he contaminate the other fish? That is the problem that worries me most of all, but.... Won't a heated, filtered tank be better for him than the little bull#105### tank (sorry, getting sort of violently worried, here XD), that he was only supposed to live in temporarily?

I can provide more details if you want.... Oh, right, forgot to add; he's also seemingly a somewhat peaceful fish? ^^; I'll keep his old tank set up, just in case, if I *do* move him.... Because winter's coming, and the little crappy heater that I use for Metamorphix's 2-gallon bowl (too small, I know; again, I'm hoping it's only temporarily but my Mom hates the fish so much that she won't let me get anything *more* DX) only keeps the temperature maintained at 20*C.

Please; I really need help....?!?!?!?!

 

[atistang]

i had 2 neon tertas in a 5 gal with my betta and they fin nipped him quite a bit. i have heard the tetras are bad about fin nipping when they are not in a school of about 6 or more. i don't know how true that is

 

[GuppyGoddess]

Hi,
I wouldn't move him while he has his gill problems, not only because of the contamination issue, but because of the stress being hard on him while he's ill.

Also, Bettas need peaceful settings and the neons will irritate him. I'm dealing with that right now. I put my female in with schooling rasboras and they're stressing her out.

What I would do if I were you is, A) keep your betta in his current tank until he's healthy and do LOTS of water changes to keep it clean of ammonia and B) when he's better put him in a 5-gallon.

 

[demasonisrule]

I have a betta in my 10 gal with 5 black skirt tetras and 3 platies, and it has been fine. Since it has so many fish, please try to do A LOT of water changes. Also, because the betta isn't well suited for high currents. This may be a problem because you need high filtration for a highly stocked tank. That is the only problem that I can think of...put him in, and if the current seems to be too much, please take him out. By all means get that 25 gal though! And keep in mind that 2.5 gallons is too small for even a betta. Good Luck!

 

[Amberleaf]

I'm going to put him in my 5-gallon tonight.... It seems that the platy in there won't have her babies ANYWAYS, so.... Is this the best course of action? Its heated (full-time), and filtered (during the day, at least), and he'd be alone, soo.... Is this a good idea?

 

[Rezatii]

Ambie, I'd probs put your Mr WimpyFish in the 5g on his own, just to be cautious


Also, what do you mean by filtered in the day? Surely turning the filter off means all the bacteria die overnight D=

-Rezz

 

[Amberleaf]

No; it's a sponge filter and it stays wet during the night, even *after* I turn it off.... The simple reason being, that the air pump is *far* too loud, and I can't sleep with it.... DX

I did some experimenting with it, and because the pregnant platy currently on her own in there doesn't seem to be dying or anything, then I'd reckon that it's all right. ^^;

I'm going to move Mr. Wimpy Fish into the 5-gallon tonight (I'll take the platy out beforehand, thoughs; maybe later I'll add some shrimp or WCM minnows, but only when he's *better*); and thens, hopefully he'll be happyies! ^^;

I'll move some of his water, and all his stuff, along with him, when I do the move. Good idea, or bad? ^^;

 

[GuppyGoddess]

No; it's a sponge filter and it stays wet during the night, even *after* I turn it off.... The simple reason being, that the air pump is *far* too loud, and I can't sleep with it.... DX

I did some experimenting with it, and because the pregnant platy currently on her own in there doesn't seem to be dying or anything, then I'd reckon that it's all right. ^^;

I'm going to move Mr. Wimpy Fish into the 5-gallon tonight (I'll take the platy out beforehand, thoughs; maybe later I'll add some shrimp or WCM minnows, but only when he's *better*); and thens, hopefully he'll be happyies! ^^;

I'll move some of his water, and all his stuff, along with him, when I do the move. Good idea, or bad? ^^;

Possibly I'm wrong, but I thought White Cloud Minnows are better off in a tank without as warm of water as a Betta needs? Aren't they more cold water fish? At a pet store, the guy discouraged me from considering adding them to my guppy tank!

 

[Amberleaf]

Wells, I *did* read somewheres that it's safe to keep them with Bettas, but only if you kept the Betta's temperature at the lower end of the preferred range? Perhaps I'm wrong, thoughs?

Wells, *ANYWAYS*; I'm just going to double-test the platy's water; and thens, I'll move her out of that 5-gallon tank and Mr. Wimpy Fish gets to go in! ^^;

Around 78*F is good for a Betta, right?!

Alsoes.... What are some good tankmates for a Betta in a 5-gallon?! ^^;

 

[Amberleaf]

Testing water stats for Mr. Wimpy Fish's 2.5-gallon (after his cleaning last Thursday):
pH - 7.0 - 7.2 :: Is this bad?
Ammonia - 0 - 0.05 - very relieved, as I thought it would be higgggh :: I was, like, *SOOOOO* afraid of testing it, but it seemed to be fine, so.... ^^; Still, he needs out of that 2.5-gallon *FAST*.
Nitrite - 0 :: Isn't this, like, second most deadly to fish, or somethings?!
Nitrate - 0 :: Wasn't too worried. Nitrate is only really deadly in high amounts over 80ppm, isn't it?! ^^;

So far, so good.

Later

Testing water stats for the 5.5-gallon tank -- formerly a fry tank, but not any more, as Wimpy needs it! Those fry will just have to take their chances in the main tank when they're born, I guess~ ^^;
pH - 7.2 - 7.6 :: Kinda different from Mr. Wimpy Fish's tank, but.... A little higher pH than his own tank won't shock him too much, surelyies?!
Ammonia - 0 - 0.5 :: I'll do a water change, so it'll disappears. ^^;
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 5.0

Wells.... I've gotta go; but is this good?!?! ^^; Can I move Mr. Wimpy Fish into the 5-gallon tank and see how things go?!?! ^^;

 

[Honeythorn]

Don't add White cloud mountain minnows to a betta tank. They require cold water as they come from fast flowing mountain streams. They are better for unheated tanks or goldfish tanks. Even the lower end of the betta temps ( 26 degrees C) is too warm for them to be in peak condition. White clouds are also very active fish and this could stress your betta

If you want tankmates ( and they are not essential at all, espescially in a 5 gallon ) then try 4 male endlers ( fairly active but they don't dart about so they are suually fine with bettas ) or some shrimp.

Shrimp would be a better choice for tankmates as in a small tank like a 5 gallon, you want the bioload as low as possible, and shrimp produce very little waste. Cherry shrimp will add colour to the tank if that's what you're looking for.


As for your fry taking their chances in the main tank, keep them in a large floating breeding net until they are big enough to not be eaten so easliy, and provide some floating plants like Riccia or frogbit for them to hide in. A clump of java moss and bushy plants like Cabomba will also make a good hiding spot for them too.