What Can My Betta Be Kept With?

[JamieM]

As the title says; what can he be kept with? If possible i want to keep him in a community tank i dont want to have to give him seperate quaters.

I dont want anything that can be nippy and bite his beautiful fins.

 

[Shrimper]

As the title says; what can he be kept with? If possible i want to keep him in a community tank i dont want to have to give him seperate quaters.

I dont want anything that can be nippy and bite his beautiful fins.

There are a few options, it mostly depends on how big the tank is. Not all Betta will like tank mates, some are more layed back than others. Its best to have a small backup tank you can move the Betta into just in case it doesn't work out.

If the tank is 5 Gallons or less i would say keep him by himself or with a couple of Anamo shrimp.

Options that are ok most with Betta are Cory Catfish, Ottos and Plecs. Corys and Ottos like to be in groups of at least 6 and Plecs can grow quite big so always check what you are buying and make sure there is enough room. Another fish I have seen suggested with Betta in Larger tanks are a group of Harlequin Rasbora. They need to be in a group as well to bring out their best.

I currently have some Harlequins, Corys and shrimp in with a Betta in my big tank and they seem ok at the moment.

I've also seen Platys suggested as safe tank mates but don't have experience of them. If you want something different i've seen African Dwarf frogs suggested as tank mates in a small (10g) tank.

Fish that are a definate NO are most Tetras and Barbs, they will nip at the Betta fins.

 

[JamieM]

Using the calulator its 27.73 uk Gallons,

Its a Fluval Roma 125, It has a mahoosive shipwreck which fills quite abit of the tank to provide hiding places and i have 50 plants from ebay on there way.

 

[l.michelle]

you could get a few pygmy corys, they are bottom feeders, so will more than likely stay out of your betta's way. They are funny too and very active!

 

[JamieM]

Thanks, so far it looks like he will either have the whole roma 125 to himself or i will have to buy a divider, i may get the divider and get some green spotted puffer fish or discuss..

 

[Shrimper]

Dividing the tank is a valid option, but I don't think Discus would be the best idea for your tank. They like very specialised water conditions and would probably be too big for your tank. Most puffer fish prefer brackish (slightly salty) water which the Betta won't like so it would be worth checking this too.

If you do divide the tank they can look quite good with a Male Betta on one side and a group of Female Betta on the other.

If you go for a community based on your tank size you could keep a group of around 15 Harlequin Rasbora in your tank, or a group of about 7/8 Harlequins and a similar number of Corys or Ottos. Corys prefer sand over gravel.

 

[JamieM]

I have sand and gravel a mixture,

I was told that the Green spotted puffers wernt brackfish, although there were brackfish puffers available in the shop obviously not for my setup though

I will have a think of what to add in the otherside :_)

Thanks for the help mate