Tankmates

[bettachick383]

my friend just got a new betta, and she has all these other fish in her tank, which got me thinking, maybe i should give my betta some company.
but is he lonely, or does he like bieng the only one? and what fish make good tank mates?
if it helps my tank is 2/4 gallons ( 2 and a quater)
thanks

 

[Cazgar]

In 2 & a quarter gallon, you could maybe have a couple of shrimp, but that's about it

 

[TRAGICTRAMP]

are betta's ok with amano shrimp and cherry shrimp?, i have a fluval edge (yes i know its not ideal for a betta) currently housing platy fry and 6 shrimp, a betta could be an option as i have read i can drop the water level or if it finds the square opening fill fully, the play fry will donated once large enough.

 

[NeonNeptune]

The betta may or may not be okay with those type of shrimp each betta is different. You are more likey lto have problems with them since they are more colorful than ghost shrimp. I think the betta would be okay with the fry since a streamline platy is a lot faster than a betta with long flowing fins.

 

[pablothebetta]

Bettachick383:
Bettas are fine by themselves, though if you did want to add something else to the tank, I'd only have shrimp in a 2 1/4 gallon setup. Bettas personalities vary greatly though, so while you may find your bettas simply ignore the shrimp, they may also kill them. I'd try some ghost or amano shrimp first and see how they go - if they're fine, you could give cherries a go.

I'd be tempted to upgrade the 2 1/4 gallon to 5 gallons if possible, but that is just down to personal preference. It would allow you to have a few male endlers with him though if your betta was relatively laid back.

TRAGICTRAMP:
I know this conflicts with NeonNeptune, but I personally wouldn't add a betta in there - a betta might just eat those platy fry if they're small and I'm not sure if there would be enough space once they got larger. Once the fry are gone, then a betta may be a nice option if you're fine about dropping the water level for him if needed. Again, you'd be able to add a few male endlers too if your betta was fine with them.

 

[Red Betta]

isnt it a good idea to house a betta with larger more powerful fish? because my kribensis live on the bottom and my betta on the top so there is no conflict and the betta doesnt eat too much so there is easily enough food

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome Bettachick383.
Your betta would indeed appreciate some company but you must keep in mind the capacity of your tank. I always keep my bettas in large community settings because I find that they do well in that situation. There is no way I would add much more than a single adult betta to a tiny 2 1/2 gallon tank. My present betta lives in a 45 gallon endler breeding colony along with a half dozen albino bristle nosed plecs. He is seldom bored with all that company. This is the endlers in his tank at feeding time.