What Can Bettas And Goldfish Go With?

[Gurglar]

Well i've started working at a pet store and these are 2 common questions I get asked alot and want some suggestions on what I can offer them.

First I want to know what other types of fish can go in with male bettas?

I make sure when someone asks me this is what size tank they have, which is usually tiny just for the betta, but for people with bigger tanks I ain't to sure what to suggest at the moment I suggest some cories as they stay out of the way down the bottom and are pretty quick to get away from the betta. i also tell them its advised not to get neons as they are nippy.

So what else can I offer them we have most of the mainstream fish?

Also another question is what can they keep with there goldfish?

I advise them to stick with just goldfish as they are messy, get quite big and are a social fish which they usually stick with but if they don't want them what other tropical fish can be kept with them?

Yes I know they are generally a coldwater fish but we live with 24-28 water temps nearlly year round and they survive just fine (GF has had them for years in her pond in the middle of her yard and they have bred and all in it) So what other fish can go in with them if the customer is fussy? Will it differ from the comets compared to fantails?

Thanks alot guys just wanna make sure i'm giving correct advice to customers

 

[aly_starh]

As for a male betta, as long as the minimum tank size is 5G. Snails and shrimp will fit perfectley in that tank Adn the betta will get along with them 99.9% of the time.
Unless there temperament is good, being in a community tank is not advisable. (especially for first time betta owners) For shrimps to successfully live in a tank the filter needs to be mature, 6 months most people advise. Other-wise they will die.


I would not reccommend any tank-mates for Goldfish, even though the tank is is large, any smaller fish in the tank will surely be ate by the Goldfish once older. IDK, but i think Common Plecos are also fine in cold-water, they might be ok, with the Gold-fish, but once again, if the tank size and filtration is not right, these are not advisable.

Hope that helps

 

[Gurglar]

Thanks betta_246 but our store doesn't sell snails or shrimp so any other suggestions?

 

[Wills]

One thing I would like to ask before I start for the goldfish is how do you advise people to buy them? They are very messy fish that need big tanks the general rule for fancy goldies is 30g in which you could possibly get 2 fancies but this would need amazing filtration to cover it as well. Aditionaly I would strongly recommend against putting commons and comets in tanks, these really do belong in ponds.

That being said, there are some tank mates suitable for goldfish I think but some of them are often a bit hard to get hold of. A common take mate is the dojo loach but again these get very big 10 inches plus and are just as messy as the goldfish. An other common tank mate is white cloud mountain minnows but as said these often just become snacks for the goldies.

Personally if I worked in an LFS I would try and shift the commonly bought fish for alternatives. For example if people really really want a gold fish as in a fish that is gold, "fish shaped" and looks like one from a story book for their tank move them to the tropical side of things, I know there are all sorts of stories about tropical being harder and its just not true you need an extra socket for your heater end of story. So instead of them getting big orange fish that poop a lot how about a small orange fish that works just as well. For example orange platies and mollies or the most obvious substitute in my mind a long finned rosy barb, I reckon you could sell long finned rosy barbs as goldfish and most would never know. Get people to buy a heater for a 20g tank keep a group of them and your sorted, infact if you wanted to show you are a really responsible retailer you could even give them free heaters with goldie substitutes Or if people come along and want to put 4 goldies in a 5 gallon tank sell them cherry barbs again easy to pass off as goldfish saves both of you a lot of hassle and some 5 year olds fish wont die in a ridiculous home for a fish of that size. Better still if you can find them, Ive never seen them but can easily believe they exist long finned cherry barbs.

Seriously if people are uneducated enough not to know how big goldfish get they wont know the difference between long finned ruby and/or cherry barbs.

With the bettas it can depend on the individual fish they can get along with quite a few fish just depends on tank size etc. Just avoid other long finned fish or similar shaped fish. I am no betta expert so I will leave someone else to come along for this one
Hope thats helped somewhat
Wills

 

[Gurglar]

Thanks Wills to answer your questions when people are about to buy a goldfish I let them know how big they are going to get and they prefer to be with atleast 1 of the same type (fancy or comet) and are a very messy fish, then it is up to them on wether they would still like to buy one or not. Its amazing how many people usually don't know how big a goldfish can get and how long they can actually live.

I don't want to start refusing selling fish just yet as its only my third week working there but I would rather sell them a fish knowing I gave them all the information necessary so I know its not my fault if the fish dies.

Also like I said above no one even needs a heater where I live as the water temps stay around 24-28 year round slmost people just see goldfish as cheap "easy" fish which they aren't.

I'll start to try and get people to move from goldfish to tropicals in the coming weeks but one thing you said put 5 cherry barbs in a 5 gallon tank?? To me thats tiny considering they grow to 2 inches and like to swim alot (i've got some in my 44 gallon) but I do suppose comparing that to a fancy goldfish that grows to 6 inches and a comet which grows to 12inches that would be more reasonable.

 

[aly_starh]

If the betta tank is of a good size, say 10G, then Khuli Loaches will be fine too. You will also be able to get away with a few Pygmy cories in a 5G tank. (although others may beg to differ)

Id say for a betta, lower level tank mates awould be ideal, as the shoaling type species are often fin-nippers.

 

[Wills]

Yeah good point with the cherry barbs I didnt say a figure, just left it to your discretion I would have thought a trio of 1 male and 2 female would be okay in a 5g?

 

[Honeythorn]

A good way to put people off goldfish , espescially if they have a tank smaller than 50 gallons or want something for a child to look at in a small tank is to offer them a group of 6 Gold Barbs if the tank is around 10- 15 gallons ( no smaller) . If you look up a picture of gold barbs, you wll see why I would reccomend them. They are of a similar body shape and colour to goldfish, but only grow to an inch and a half - 2 inches or so, they don't need as much space as a goldfish and are just as easy to care for.

They are tropical and so will need a heater, but just explain that the only real difference in care between coldwater fish and basic tropicals is the temperature. They will still need to do the weekly water changes that a goldfish would need, still need a filter as all fish do, and the barbs will actually be a lot more active and entertaining than a goldfish if it's for a child.

For a betta, a male should be in a 5 gallon minimum , and there are really no fish that can go in that tank size to accomapny even a placid male. It's just not big enough.

If they upgrade further to a 10 gallon ( which really is the best ) then Endlers may work, as should Lampeye Killifish, or tiny Chilli Rasboros for midwater fish. Pygmy cories would be good for bottomfeeders, a group of at least 6-8 for a 10 gallon is best.

Advise that they remove the betta for a short time into a safe container, and re-arrange any tank decor, then acclimatise and add tankmates, then replace the betta. This should help to cut any agression, as the new unfamiliar layout will keep the betta occupied and he is less likely to think of it as his own familiar territory and attack any newcomers.

 

[kelly528]

Yeah, honeslty if people start asking about Goldfish, just say 'Sure, the 55g tanks are over here... you can keep 2 in there. You may want to pick up a better filter than the one that comes with the kit, though.' You may also want to point out that many goldfish literally grow as long or longer than the average 5g aquarium. They also live for 15-20 years, which may be an honorous taks for the parents lol!

If they don't believe you, bust out a Goldfish book (they probably sell some books at the pet store) or refer them to a couple of good forums. Definitely make sure they don't impulse buy and goldfish!

I agree that although I consider a 2.5g fine for Bettas (given decent filtration and lots of plants), a 5g is far easier for a busy mom/novice fishkeeper to look after.

On that note, if they want to go for a 'smaller, low maintenance tank', shoot it down right away... a 1g tank must be cleaned every 2-3 days in order to keep toxins at safe levels! The bigger the tank, the more low maintenance it actually is!

And if all else fails and they really don't care because it's 'just a fish', remind them that is has been proven that fish can feel pain! If you want to teach your kid to be responsible, you have to act responsibly yourself!


PS. It would also be prudent to keep some sponges, anything running in the fish store filters so that the customers can take home a sample of bacteria to start their 'cycle' with.[size]

 

[Amberleaf]

One thing I would like to ask before I start for the goldfish is how do you advise people to buy them? They are very messy fish that need big tanks the general rule for fancy goldies is 30g in which you could possibly get 2 fancies but this would need amazing filtration to cover it as well. Aditionaly I would strongly recommend against putting commons and comets in tanks, these really do belong in ponds.

That being said, there are some tank mates suitable for goldfish I think but some of them are often a bit hard to get hold of. A common take mate is the dojo loach but again these get very big 10 inches plus and are just as messy as the goldfish. An other common tank mate is white cloud mountain minnows but as said these often just become snacks for the goldies.

Personally if I worked in an LFS I would try and shift the commonly bought fish for alternatives. For example if people really really want a gold fish as in a fish that is gold, "fish shaped" and looks like one from a story book for their tank move them to the tropical side of things, I know there are all sorts of stories about tropical being harder and its just not true you need an extra socket for your heater end of story. So instead of them getting big orange fish that poop a lot how about a small orange fish that works just as well. For example orange platies and mollies or the most obvious substitute in my mind a long finned rosy barb, I reckon you could sell long finned rosy barbs as goldfish and most would never know. Get people to buy a heater for a 20g tank keep a group of them and your sorted, infact if you wanted to show you are a really responsible retailer you could even give them free heaters with goldie substitutes Or if people come along and want to put 4 goldies in a 5 gallon tank sell them cherry barbs again easy to pass off as goldfish saves both of you a lot of hassle and some 5 year olds fish wont die in a ridiculous home for a fish of that size. Better still if you can find them, Ive never seen them but can easily believe they exist long finned cherry barbs.

Seriously if people are uneducated enough not to know how big goldfish get they wont know the difference between long finned ruby and/or cherry barbs.

With the bettas it can depend on the individual fish they can get along with quite a few fish just depends on tank size etc. Just avoid other long finned fish or similar shaped fish. I am no betta expert so I will leave someone else to come along for this one
Hope thats helped somewhat
Wills

Hahaha, yeah, I have this friend.... She's the kind of person who wants what she wants and you can't tell her otherwise. I advised her to get white cloud mountain minnows for her 10-gallon tank already with a goldfish in it (didn't feel like arguing over what is best that night....), and she just got another goldfish.

Well, anyways; with Bettas, I usually find that white cloud mountain minnows (they thrive in tropical tanks; well, mine do, anyway), or platies work well with Bettas. ^^; Also, cories. They won't bother cories. ^^; My male Betta, Mr. Wimpy Fish, is actually *quite* social, and is happy with platies! I have a more aggressive male, who, hasn't been placed with any fish, currently, but he's a flaring nut, and I don't trust him with any other fish.... ^^; Just tell people that WCMM or platies work well, and advise them to keep the Betta in a breeding trap for a couple of days, so that he gets used to the other fish (don't *EVER* just dump random fish on a Betta's territory.... if adding fish to a Betta's tank, still do this!!), and, then, release him after a few days, watch him carefully for a few *MORE* days, and, if he's nice, then, well, he's passed the test!! ^^; >8D

That is all. ^^; > >

 

[Gurglar]

Yeah good point with the cherry barbs I didnt say a figure, just left it to your discretion I would have thought a trio of 1 male and 2 female would be okay in a 5g?

Oh crap sorry just re read it and my mistake I quickly went over it and thought you said 5 but yeah I was thinking more along the lines of 3, its abit difficult to tell males and females in the shop cause they are a little stressed so some are abit faded at times and if i'm correct the females won't really be a reddy colour which nearlly all of them are so i'm guessing males are mostly ordered as they are more appealing.

Thanks for all the suggestions peeps I actually had one lady come in and point to the platies and ask if they were goldfish so there are some really uneducated people out there.

 

[Gurglar]

Oh just to share a funny story about one of my workmates and how uneducated some can be I put it in my other thread but thought i'd put it here aswell, she is one of the people who thinks she knows everything about everything and every time I see her talking to a customer in the fish section she is giving them the wrong advice (she specializes in dogs).

So the other day I seen her talking to a girl and after she was done she came over to me and told me to keep an eye on her cause she might need some fish soon and I asked her what she was looking at and she said she wanted to know what she could put with her betta. Then my workmate goes on to try and tell me to get her to buy some silver sharks or silver dollars cause they are placid, so of course I had to correct her on that but no she thinks i'm the dumb one just cause i'm new and started getting abit angry cause I was disagreeing with her so before things got any worse I just jokingly said i'm the fish expert your the dog expert so leave it to me and walked away.

Seriously one of the dumbest things i've heard from someone who people think are giving them the correct advice, I went and had a chuckle about it with some other workmates on what she was suggesting and they all said she does it with everything even though she has no idea.

I do see why most people don't like pet store workers on these forums but I don't know how people can just make up stuff to customers like that. I try to give every person all the advice I know on a specific fish if I don't know anything about the particular fish they are asking about I will tell them straight away that I do not have much knowledge on that species and they should come in when such and such is working if they want some information. So if they do buy that fish then and there I ain't responsible if it dies or does something they don't want it to

 

[Tortea]

Most fsih go with male bettas apart from, guppys other males and fish with long flowing tails.

I keep neons, danios ,corys, platys and lots more with my betta in my community tank, and have no issues, but it could also just not of been aggressive.