Thinking Of Getting A Betta And Adfs

[rhostog]

My daughter has asked for a tank in her room, to keep a betta and a couple of African Dwarf Frogs. I've read up about bettas (and ADFs), including the FAQs etc., and as we've had a community tank downstairs for about 3 months now, we've got the hang of the basics like water changes and water tests etc. However, I realise we're still very inexperienced compared to many of the people posting to this forum, so before going any further, I wondered if anyone could offer us some advice about this plan?

In particular, is there a tank you would recommend which would be easy to maintain, not too big (preferably not more than 30cm wide), available in the UK? Our community tank has a built-in filter in the lid, which sucks up water and sprinkles it over the filter media - we like this as it is easy to get at the filters and maintain, no leaks etc. - is this sort of system suitable for bettas? Any suggestions and recommendations of specific tanks or filters would be greatly appreciated.

Are there other people who keep ADFs with bettas who could share any useful advice?

We saw some male bettas in one of our local shops - is there anything we should particularly look out for?

Also, our water is hard and pH around 7.9 - do you think this would be a problem?

Lots of questions - sorry - but we'd be very grateful for any advice!

 

[Kendalyn]

I've had good luck with Eclipse tanks. Their small tanks are nice and compact with a bio wheel filter that works just like you are describing. An Eclipse 6 would probably work well for the Betta and 2 frogs.

 

[doresy]

Hi, I use an AquaOne 380 (34 ltr) which has the same filtration system as your bigger tank. See my signiture.

With a Betta the current needs to be very low or even none at all. This is why some keepers don't bother with a filter at all but then you need to rely on almost daily partial water changes to keep the ammonia away.

I recommend and Aquaone 320 if you go down the filterless route or AquaOne 380 with the filter system you are already used to.

A tip if you use the 380. To baffle the current from the filter return I use this method. Using a 4 pint milk container i cut a section from the full length of the container and 2 sides. I then feed this between the front and back portions of the canopy so it curls toward the back of the tank. You may just be able to make this out i the picture in my signiture.

I have 8 Pigmy Corys with my Betta to clear up any uneaten food. Over feeding a Betta can lead to swim bladder problems. As their main diet in the wild consists of live foods such as mozzy larva you will need to use frozen foods often. There are Betta pellet foods available but mine wont touch them. He does like catfish pellets though.

Each Betta is an individual character which is what makes them unique so you wont really know what he will be like till you get him home!

 

[rhostog]

Thanks for the suggestions - really useful, gives me a starting point for some more research!

Doresy - it looks like you've got sand in your betta tank? Do you find this is OK with the filter system? I know it can cause problems for some filters, getting into the system and jamming it - is there anything to be aware of? Our community tank is a larger Aqua One, so it is the same filter system, but we've got small rounded gravel in there - but I think sand would be better for the frogs.

If there's anyone with ADFs who could offer any advice about keeping them with a betta, I'd be very grateful, e.g. making sure they get their share of the food?

 

[Kendalyn]

I've heard you sometimes have to hand feed ADFs to get them to notice the food before the other fish get it. They aren't very good at competing for food if there are other fish in the tank. If the ADFs are alone, you don't have to worry so much. That's what I've heard. I've never actually kept them.

 

[Athena]

I've got two ADFs in a community tank and it can be difficult some days for them to get their fair share of the bloodworms etc as the other fish are so quick at gulping the food before it reaches the gravel. I sometimes have to scoop a froggie at a time into the net and bring him slightly towards the water surface but not out of it) and then put some bloodworms into the net - once I've seen he's eaten a few then I release him back down in the tank.

Now, keeping ADFs with a Betta should be easier I think because, going on what my male Betta is like, they are not as greedy as some other fish and not as quick. My Betta watches the bloodworms and gently swims over and will eat a couple. Then he'll go down to the gravel afterwards and eat any that have dropped to the bottom. He's much better mannered than the likes of my Mollies and Guppies.

So, I reckon that if you have one Betta and two ADFs in a tank no smaller than a foot square, the frogs will get a fair share of the food.

One tip though - when using frozen bloodworms - best not to chuck the whole cube into the tank - let it defrost for a few mins in a tiny cup filled with a few spoonfuls of water (preferably from the tank). Once they have dispersed and softened you can then add (with tweezers) a few pinches of worms into the tank. If you put the whole cube in you will have problems with polluting the tank water and also overfeeding. If you just put in a few pinches of food, the rest can be put in the fridge for the next feed (but any left after 24hrs I don't use as they start to smell stagnant).

ADFs and Bettas also eat baby brine shrimp (live are best if you can get them - again don't put the whole lot in - empty into a cup and pour a few into your net and add to the tank this way, a few at a time). Also, my ADFs will eat algae wafers, daphnia, and most other fish foods.

The older they get, the better they are at locating food. When they were very young they didn't seem to know how to find the food, even when it was right under their nose! But you'll see that they can smell the food even if they can't locate it for a while. They'll be hidden away somewhere but as soon as food is dropped into the tank, out they come sniffing and searching!

I'm sure your daughter will have loads of fun watching them - they are such funny little characters that do some very silly things and strange poses.

Athena

 

[doresy]

Hi, i have sand in both my AquaOne tanks and have had no problems with the filters. If you keep the inlet pipe at least 1-2" above the sand it will be fine. Also if you turn off the filter when stirring up the sand (ie water changing and re-scaping) to prevent any being sucked up.

Regards feeding, I have to feed my Cory at night as my Betta will scoff all the bloodworm before they get a look in! Something to think about with ADF's.

 

[tibby25731]

I have 2 ADF's in with a male betta. It works very well. He ignores them, and they ignore him! However, what works for one betta won't always work for all. Would the ADF's be able to live in your community if things don't work out with the betta? Re: feeding, I defrost the bloodworm cube in a turkey baster. I drop in a few worms at the surface for the betta, then use the baster to deliver the rest to a certain spot. I tap on the glass near to this spot. The frogs soon make their way there - they can smell the food and they do learn to floow the noise also! My betta will then swim down to scoff a few more, but never over indulges. however, my other betta once got too many bloodworm by mistake, and ate the whole lot! He looked ready to pop! So again, it depends on your betta!

 

[rhostog]

Wow - thanks for all the useful advice - some really helpful info, greatly appreciated. There seems to be a huge variation in the personalities of bettas. I'm really glad I asked here!

I reckon our best strategy is to get the frogs first (once the tank is set up and cycled), let them settle in and work out how best to feed them etc., and then think about the betta. I guess it's going to take a while, but that's all part of the fun!

Thanks again for the tips - I'm going to keep this thread so I can refer back once we've got started. And maybe in a few months we'll be posting pics...