Suggestions on my betta situation?

Question

I have just recently upgraded to a 6 or 10 gallon fish tank for my two bettas. A male and female. I was wanting to increase my fish population, what kinds of fish should I get? I was thinking that I should get Zebra Danios and a snail or two. Is this a good set-up? I do not want my male to get bitten or anything. Also he is blue, should I take into consideration the colors of the other fish? Will he be fine with my female in the same tank if it's big enough?

btw... I already have a filtration system and a heat stabalizer thingy

also I wanted to make it a realistic environment for my Betta... so in Thailand what would the Bettas live with?

No... I've heard that BARBS are tail nipping and that DANIOS are not...

That's not what I've heard... I've heard that Barbs are the tail nipping fish and Danios are not

will Neon Tetras be good tank buds for my betta?

or what about Black Molly?

Answer 1

You should not keep your male and female together, as they WILL fight. The only time you should put them together is if you're trying to mate them.

A general rule of thumb is an inch of fish per gallon of water. As such, if you have a six gallon tank, assume you can get perhaps add another three or four small fish, like neon tetras, or two danios. You canNOT add goldfish or fancy-tailed guppies or any other large finned fish, as your betta will attack them.

Snails reproduce very quickly, so I wouldn't recommend more than one. And be prepared to get rid of unwanted snails.

Also remember to cycle your tank before you add fish. See the source list for a good article on cycling.

You will also need filtration, aeration, and a heater for this tank if you're going to add more fish.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Male bettas tend to try to kill females if the females aren't ready for mating, so it would be a good idea to keep them separated.

That being said, zebra danios tend to be fin-nippers. I wouldn't put them with a betta. You'd do fine with some mollies or platys (try to get females, the males can be a little aggressive). Swordtails will get too big for your aquarium, otherwise they'd be good tankmates. Keep away from guppies since they have those big pretty tails (your betta will slaughter them!).

A well planted (fake or real plants) with a few rocky caves is an ideal environment for all of these fish. Keep in mind that live-bearers (mollies, guppies, platys, swords) like aquarium salt. One rounded tablespoon per five gallons should do it. Remember that salt does not evaporate and you will need to replace it whenever you do a water change.

Answer 3

The male may kill the female later on so watch out. A zebra is likely one of the worse addition to your tank. First of all, they need a fair size school, about 6, which your tank does not have room for. 2, they occupy the same upper level of the tank as bettas. 3, they need larger than a 10, 29 is good. Though reaching only about 2-3 inches, they are hyper active, and need lots of swimnming room.

You may want to look for types of shrimp, they are interesting critter, that have the benfit of eating excess food and algae. You will have to feed them though.

Off the top of my head, a good addition would be the pygmy cory, and the pygmy only, for they reach only 1". They again need a nice school of around 6, so should fully stock you tank with the betta and shrimps ( don't exceed 1" per gallon of small under 4" fish. Snails are a possibility, but if you overfeed, you will regret it, as they will breed like crazy!

Answer 4

Generally keeping males with females is a bad idea. The last time a tried one of my females nearly killed my male betta. The only people I know with a male living with a female are people with ones raised together from birth.

As far as tankmates. Snails. Smaller mollies (Sailfin, and Lyretailed can be a bit aggressive to smaller fish, and get rather big). Platies. Cory cats. Algae eaters (not common plecos). Guppies that aren't fancy. Basically as peaceful, slower community fish that doesn't have fins like a betta. Avoid barbs, and teras as they may nip.

Answer 5

Male and female bettas should not be housed in the same tank unless both are redy to mate. The male will chase the female and attack her until she dies from stress or injuries. I have, however kept 1 male and 2 females in a very well-planted 20-long, with lots of hiding places. That tank had about 10-12 male Common guppies, some apple snails and, for a little while, a pineapple swordtail.

I have housed betta males with guppies for male years. I bred Fancy guppies for show and bettas for pleasure. Bettas will most likely attack RED fish, fish of similar coloring and fish with large fins. Common guppies should be fine with a betta. Roundtail guppies (males have small, rounded tail fin) should be fine, as long as they are not red or blue.

Answer 6

Bettas always do best alone in small bowls or tanks, it gives them less territory to guard, but if you want other fish to put in, buy fast swimming tetras or barbs. Any fish that swims faster than the betta will be safe from harm. Don't put a goldfish in with the betta, it will be killed.
To have a natural looking environment, buy some aquatic plants, it's good for the fish and makes the aquarium healthy and beautiful.

Answer 7

It's probably a really bad isea to put so many fish with a male betta because the betta will attack and probably kill your danios and your snail too. The betta fish are found in rivers so put some polished stone in there and some plants. Here is a really important thing though do not put two male bettas in the same tank together ! They will keep fighting till one of them dies.

Answer 8

Yes the male will be fine with the female in the same tank. Zebra Danios seem to be a fairly popular choice lately for beta companions. =)