What is the best animal to put in a tank with a Beta fish to control algae?

Question

I have an aggressive male betta that already killed a snail that was in the tank. I like having the plant in the 2.5 gallon tank with him, but the algae is crazy. I only keep the light on about 5-6 hrs a day. Based on what he did to the snail, another fish might be out of the question.

Answer 1

If he killed the snail, you might just be out of luck.

One thing you can do is ask for the little snails (that reproduce like crazy) at a pet store. Most pet stores have these in their tanks (like at Pet smart they are everywhere). They will usually give them to you if you ask.

The positive is they will reproduce enough that I don't think he can kill all of them at once, so you may have a nice stable amount of them in your tanks at all times.

The negative is they may possibly devour your plant. But this is true with any algea eater you place in your fish tank. Because algea eaters eat plants. Algea is a plant as well.

If it is a small aquarium do not add a plecostomus. These guys get 18 inches long, and they grow quickly. So in a few months he wouldn't be able to move much and your plant would def be gone.

I suggest trying an Otocinclus algea eater. They only get 2 inches big. Your Betta may have killed the snail because he saw it as food and it can't run. The algea eater can.

*******Betta's are usually ONLY aggressive toward other male Bettas. **********

So it is not usual that they fight with other fish.

Answer 2

Most betta are not very aggressive towards anything other than bettas. Some bettas are just mean just like any other fish that is kept alone in a small tank. As a kid I had gourami that was the sole survivor of a horrible ich outbreak. I left him in the tank for 3 months until I was sure the ich was gone. There after he killed everything i put in the tank. Even the same type of fish he happily live with before.

Generally betas are okay with snails, but it varies. If you had a large tank a Pleco would be okay, but not in 2.5 gallons. One thing you might try is a different shape and color of snail. One of my betta (aka snail slayer) hates black snails, but is fine with a smaller white/brown snail. (Maybe my betta is just racist.)

Answer 3

FOR ONE, your tank is too small to put another thing in with the betta. Bettas get territorial in tanks less then 5 gallons.
TWO, if you have algae that means you are not cleaning the tank enough. You need to clean it atleast once every 2 weeks. Move the fish to a little cup and clean the tank with hot water, no soap. Then fill the tank back up with dechlorinated water that is the same temperature as the water the betta is in.
DO NOT get a plecostamus or any other algae eater, the tank is TOO SMALL.

And to the chick who has a betta in with goldfish and black skirt tetras, that is the most horrible mix of fish. Goldfish should only be with other goldfish and black skirt tetras are notorious fin nippers and soon the poor betta will be shredded, that is if the ammonia from the goldfish doesnt kill the betta and tetras first.

People need to research before they get creatures that depend on them to keep them alive and healthy.

BTW, there is a huge difference between surviving and actually thriving.

Answer 4

Beta fish are extremely aggressive and will attack any fish you put in the tank with him. To handle the algae, eihe rclean the bowl out more often, or get an aquatic snail. Betas are not fond of snails, but the shell will protect the gastropod from the Beta attacks more successfully.

Answer 5

if it is a small tank, just on occasion use a acrylic scrubby pad to wipe off the algae. Algae is just a lesser form of a plant, so the more light and nutrients (fish waste or food) it gets the faster it grows. U could use a snail or a small algae eating fish depending on the size of the "tank"

Answer 6

Beta fish (Japanese fighting beta) ONLY ATTACK another male beta fish. They are otherwise very peaceful. There are rules about putting another beta fish in if it is female and the only way males can be together is if born together in the tank and even then there are rules, I think at a certain age you have to remove them to separate tanks but basically, beta fish are peaceful and only attack other male beta fish. I think a plecostomus is your best algea eater because they stick to the glass and get the algea off the glass too. Good Luck.

Answer 7

Beta fish are fighting fish, they also shouldn't be put in a tank with any other fish. They are easy to keep, and require tiny help. They also can be put in a tank under a certain type of plant, which looks cool, I just don't remember the name of the plant. If you have algea in your tank, clean your tank out completely and feed your beta alot less.

Answer 8

Beta are very agressive. They will attack and kill other fish that swim by it. If you just have to put something in the tank to keep the algea away try buying a bottom feeder (I can't remember their correct name but any pet store will know what you are talking about). They eat the algea of the rocks at the bottom and will also clean the glass.

Answer 9

its called a plecostomus. i think its in the family of catfish. these things multiply like hamesters and they feed on algae all day. although in the wild, these things wreak havok when introduced to foregn ecosystems. i'm from the philippines anda local river here, the marikina river, was desimated by these "pleco's" or janitor fish as they are also commonly called.
if you can come to manila, you can take all you want with you. these fishes stick to the glass and suck and suck nonestop. sometimes they suck vertically, sometimes on the bottom of the aquarium.
they can be placed in a tank safely even with flowerhorns, arowanas, as well as tiny fishes.
and in response to a prevoius concern, the plecostomus has a very thick, leathery back so you dont have any problems with the beta fish attacking it. weve tried to put it with snakeheads and other violent fishes but they dont regard it as a threat since it barely moves.

Answer 10

A beta will attack any fish you put in the tank with it. A snail is your best bet.