Suitable Fishmates For A Betta?

[eowyn]

For xmas I received a 16 gal aquarium which I would love to give to my betta, Sharky. (Currently, he's in a 4 gal biorb.) Right now I'm cycling the new tank and trying to decide what to do. I would like to get some cories, but are there any other peaceful fish I could try with Sharky? I plan to establish the new tank first before introducing him to any new fish. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Honeythorn]

Pygmy cories are great tankmates and small enough for you to have around 8 in a tank that size, when the tank has matured for a while after cycling, you may be able to add 2-3 oto's as well ( remember to supplement them with algae tabs ) . A group of small rasborors may also work. But remember to add the tankmates BEFORE the betta. If you add them after him he may pick at them if he sees them as invading his territory. Just plant the tank up with plenty of soft plants ( preferably real ) and places to hide and it should work very well indeed.

 

[NameUser]

im actually wondering the same thing.

i read somewhere about african dwarf frogs. too bad a little turtle wouldnt work. thatd be cool.

im probably going to go with a cory or two,, i figure two cory's could group up, better then one, incase my betta tries to be a bully.

oh hey, may i ask about those otos?

must you always feed them those algea tabs? and would that hurt of bother the betta?

 

[Honeythorn]

Cories are better in bigger groups than that. 4-6 is a minimum really. If your tank is 10 gals or smaller then definitely go with pygmy cories as most of the more commonly found types need more space than that.

 

[newfishy]

both my male and female bettas get along well with pygmy corys and some of the larger corys. but the corys where in the tank long before the bettas. if you have space issues then get a group of the pygmys, they are adorable and very fun to watch. plus even if my bettas wanted too those little buggers are FAST and can very easily outswim a betta. the betta and the corys both will enjoy lots of hiding places and cubie holes in the tank.

 

[eowyn]

Thanks for the ideas. I'm going to the store tomorrow to buy another plant or two. I'll look at their selection of fish. I just have to remind myself to have patience.

 

[OpalineAqua]

For xmas I received a 16 gal aquarium which I would love to give to my betta, Sharky. (Currently, he's in a 4 gal biorb.) Right now I'm cycling the new tank and trying to decide what to do. I would like to get some cories, but are there any other peaceful fish I could try with Sharky? I plan to establish the new tank first before introducing him to any new fish. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Yeah, there are a bunch of fish you can mix with him. Slower moving fish would be best. Just avoid faster, more lively fish that may nip at his fins. Try to avoid mixing him with barbs(barbs would definitely nip his fins) Try not to mix him with fish that look similar to him, either(he could mistake them for another betta and get into a nasty fight) Also, I have a hatchetfish that seems to like nipping my beacon fishes' fins. A good fish to pair him with would be a White Cloud Mountain Minnow.

For xmas I received a 16 gal aquarium which I would love to give to my betta, Sharky. (Currently, he's in a 4 gal biorb.) Right now I'm cycling the new tank and trying to decide what to do. I would like to get some cories, but are there any other peaceful fish I could try with Sharky? I plan to establish the new tank first before introducing him to any new fish. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Yeah, there are a bunch of fish you can mix with him. Slower moving fish would be best. Just avoid faster, more lively fish that may nip at his fins. Try to avoid mixing him with barbs(barbs would definitely nip his fins) Try not to mix him with fish that look similar to him, either(he could mistake them for another betta and get into a nasty fight) Also, I have a hatchetfish that seems to like nipping my beacon fishes' fins. A good fish to pair him with would be a White Cloud Mountain Minnow.

 

[Honeythorn]

White cloud mountain minnows are a coolwater species so no, they wouldn't be a great choice really. They're ok up to about 23-25 degrees C but certainly not for the temperature at which a betta needs to be kept at .