Thinking of getting a betta

[kaz petts]

Hi out there guys and gals
Help and info required.
I am new to tropical and haven't yet set up my tank.
The tank is about 10g Uk. I have a filter, only small but it should do the job. I do not yet have a heater but will be getting one soon.
I want 1 betta male (I am aware that 2 betta males cannot go in the same tank).
What other colourfull tropical fish can I put in with him that won't grow too big?

Don't worry I will make sure the tank is cycled before I do anything, I want to do a bit of landscaping first.
What about live plants. I think they look better, advice on this too would be appreciated. Do I need special tropical plants or can I put in plants that are suitable for coldwater fish. I only ask because cold water plants are cheaper than the so called tropical plants but I don't want to cut cost corners and cause problems for the fish.

Thanks in advance
Kaz

 

[greathat]

dont really no anything about bettas but im guessing colourful is not the way to go with their tank mates

 

[White Whale]

What other colourfull tropical fish can I put in with him that won't grow too big?

Panda cories! White Cloud Minnows also come to mind.

Don't worry I will make sure the tank is cycled before I do anything, I want to do a bit of landscaping first.

You should start cycling after you've done your landscaping

What about live plants. I think they look better, advice on this too would be appreciated. Do I need special tropical plants or can I put in plants that are suitable for coldwater fish. I only ask because cold water plants are cheaper than the so called tropical plants but I don't want to cut cost corners and cause problems for the fish.

Maybe start with silk plants first. They won't rot, and the silk is soft enough not to tear your bettas fins.

 

[kaz petts]

Thanks.
Where can I get silk plants from in the Uk? Is it worth looking on ebay?

Panda cories! White Cloud Minnows also come to mind.

Have you got any pics of these fish?
Has anybody got any pics of a gouramis? I would love to see one, I take it these are suitable companions for a betta. How big do they get. I don't want to get something and then find it gets too big for the tank.

Kaz

 

[BIGMAC]

I tried mixing Male Betta and gouramis and it just didnt work my Betta got chased and stressed which caused the ich so i had to get another tank up an running for him,now hes living quite happy with some albino corys,and its a really active tank loads of fun to watch.

 

[White Whale]

Thanks.
Where can I get silk plants from in the Uk? Is it worth looking on ebay?

Panda cories!  White Cloud Minnows also come to mind.

Have you got any pics of these fish?
Has anybody got any pics of a gouramis? I would love to see one, I take it these are suitable companions for a betta. How big do they get. I don't want to get something and then find it gets too big for the tank.

Kaz

Panda Cory (up to 2 inches):

Otos are nice, too:

White Cloud Minnows:

Note: I have all of these fish, but these pictures are not mine. But I will soon have a digital camera in the near future.

 

[plecoperson]

Red Honey Gouramis stay quite small and would make a good tank mate, I think. Dwarf gouramis are an option but they get bigger than red honey. Other types such as moonlight and opaline get HUGE! Think 3-4 inches. You probably want slower fish like gouramis and things. Harlequin Rasboras are great too! very beautiful and easy to keep. You need at least a pair! Congrats on the new tank!

 

[kaz petts]

Thanks everyone you have all been great with brilliant advice.

I think I will definatley get a panda cory or two, these look really nice, I may also get some white cloud minnows but not sure yet. What do these fish eat?
I have looked into the fish but not the food.
Am I able to put a plec in with these fish or is this what panda corys do?
Sorry to ask so many questions but I don't want to make any stupid mistakes with this tank.
I have a lid and light for the new tank. Gravel and ornaments, I also have some plastic plants but will probably get real plants as I think they look much nicer. I am using real plants in my cold water tank at the moment and I love the way they flow with the very gradual water current.
Thanks again everyone.
Kaz

 

[kaz petts]

Just looked in the members aquarium pic section and seen that someone has just got some new bettas.
Can I ask why they are in a jar? How do you introduce new bettas to the tank. Can you just float like other fish?
How big do female bettas grow?
Can I put female bettas together with the other fish I have been looking at getting or will they get too big for my tank?

 

[White Whale]

I think I will definatley get a panda cory or two, these look really nice, I may also get some white cloud minnows but not sure yet. What do these fish eat?

White Cloud Minnows will eat flakes and thos micropellets made by Hikari
Cories eat algae pellets and whatever floats to the bottom

Just looked in the members aquarium pic section and seen that someone has just got some new bettas. Can I ask why they are in a jar?

Yes, you may ask. Sorry, just being a smartass. Bettas can be kept in jars, but then the water changes will have to be done more frequently.

How do you introduce new bettas to the tank. Can you just float like other fish?

Yes, treat them like any other fish

How big do female bettas grow?

Not very big, probably 3/4ths the size of males

Can I put female bettas together with the other fish I have been looking at getting or will they get too big for my tank?

Depends on the size of your tank. It is recommended there are at least four (4) female bettas in the same tank. There will be a scuffle for a few days, but it is normal. Once the hierarchy is set, they will behave.

3 females: 2 will double-team on the weak one until it is killed
2 females: the dominant female will kill the other female rival

It's easy to follow the betta logic

 

[annieka]

Depends on the size of your tank. It is recommended there are at least four (4) female bettas in the same tank. There will be a scuffle for a few days, but it is normal. Once the hierarchy is set, they will behave.

3 females: 2 will double-team on the weak one until it is killed
2 females: the dominant female will kill the other female rival

Uhhh..this is not true. It depends on the characters of the fish. Most females can be kept together with no problems. Some female can be real bitches and kill or injure other females.

I've never had problems with 2 or 3 females (or more) in one tank. If one should become to agressive I simple move her to another tank. But this eldom happens especially if there are enough plants in the tank. Agression between the fish are also reduced if the fish are given enough space.

In a 10 g tank I would reccomend one male and 2 females with lots of plants..real ones! The plants will provide hiding places where the fish can avoide each other if neccecary.

Cory's should be kept in a group, they are social animals and prefere to have more of there own kind around. A group of 5 will do fine.

Don't put in any goerami species, betta's and goerami's need a lot of space when one decides to build a nest. In such a small tank this can lead to fatalities.

Cloud Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) is a fish that prefers much lower temperatures than betta's. They're optimum is around 20 degrees... the betta's optimum is higher at around 26 degrees. Not a good combination if you want both fish to feel comfortable. I would suggest a rasbora species...