Stocking Plans With A Betta

[CezzaXV]

Hello all,

As some of you may be aware, I'm currently cycling my first tank. I've done some research, and I'm hoping to get a betta, along with 6 cories (probably julii but not 100% sure yet) and 6 neon tetra.

I've heard that neons can be a tad on the nippy side, but I'm hoping that because I'm keeping them in a reasonably sized group, there shouldn't be too many problems.

Do you think I'll be okay? What do I do if they do get nippy? Are there any other kind of tetra which would be more suited to sharing with a betta?

I'm still cycling my tank and am a long way off fish yet, and I plan to add the betta weeks/months after the rest of the fish to hopefully avoid him causing a territory war.

Not sure what my question is, just looking for some general advice.

 

[lilfishie]

What size is your tank?

we have a HM Male in with neons with no trouble

 

[CezzaXV]

I've got a 60L. Officially I'd be a tad on the overstocked side, but I'm told as long as I keep up with water changes I'm okay. Better to keep the fish in good sized groups than understock small groups. I live in a very soft water area which limits me somewhat.

 

[Jinty McGinty]

Neons don't do well in new cycled tanks. So I'd scrub that idea.

Endlers would go well with your plans.

 

[CezzaXV]

Not such a fan of endlers, they look like theyve been attacked with highlighter pens

How do cardinal tetra get on with bettas?

My main concern is the betta, since I know any trouble I have in my tank will almost definitely involve him lol.

 

[Jinty McGinty]

Lol!!

I've not kept tetra so can't really help.

My betta is in with Endlers and two Balloon Mollys. Plus a fair few Cherry Shrimp.

 

[KittyKat]

I've heard that neons can be a tad on the nippy side, but I'm hoping that because I'm keeping them in a reasonably sized group, there shouldn't be too many problems.

6 isn't a reasonably sized group, 6 is the bare minimum! A reasonably sized group would be around 25 or more.

Do you think I'll be okay? What do I do if they do get nippy? Are there any other kind of tetra which would be more suited to sharing with a betta?

I think it depends on the individual set-ups… I didn't have problems keeping Bettas with neons and other tetras (when each species was in a group of 10-15, see link in my sig for full list of species), but I know that some people have had problems. I think that the only thing you can do is try it in practice and be ready to take tetras or Betta back to the shop.

 

[CezzaXV]

What would you call newly cycled? I'm prepared to wait a while for the fish I want. What if I added the cories then waited a few weeks/months for the neons?

 

[KittyKat]

Neons don't do well in new cycled tanks. So I'd scrub that idea.

In my experience, this depends on how they are acclimatised and the quality of the stock not how long ago the bacteria were grown.

Endlers would go well with your plans.

Endlers are not a good option for soft water tanks.

 

[SandyR]

As this is related to the OP, I have a question. I have read that if you plan to house a Betta with other fish thats it better to put the Betta in FIRST rather than later as he may stress being put in an environment that already has fish. Is this a fallacy?

 

[lilfishie]

personally i have always found it better to add the Betta last, that way theres no new fish coming into 'his' territory

 

[KittyKat]

As this is related to the OP, I have a question. I have read that if you plan to house a Betta with other fish thats it better to put the Betta in FIRST rather than later as he may stress being put in an environment that already has fish. Is this a fallacy?

I have found that this depends on the individual fish and size of tank it is going into. For smaller tanks (10 gallons and smaller), I found that on average (out of the few 100 Bettas I have had) it is best to add the Betta last, unless the individual was placid. For larger tanks (10 gallons and over), it didn't seem to make any difference, unless the individual was aggressive.

 

[SandyR]

Thank you both for the quick reply! Thats how I did it but then I read the opposite. I have gotten a LOT of contrary opinions from Betta care sites and sometimes its hard to know what to do.