What's wrong with my betta?

Question

I recently added 5 neon tetras to my male betta's gallon and a half tank. he seemed okay when the fish were first added but now he is just sitting at the top of the tank while the tetras stay at the bottom. is this normal behavior or should the tetras be removed?

Answer 1

You're killing all of your fish due to extremely high levels of ammonia. If the tank is indeed only a gallon and a half, the only fish in there should be the betta. Take the neons back to the store immediately. Do an immediate 50% water change, and keep doing 20% daily water changes until you get your ammonia levels at 0ppm (though, since your tank is so small, it's going to be next to impossible to cycle it fully).

I hope you have a heater and filter on this tank. Otherwise, this will also contribute to shortened life spans for all of your fish.

And to the people saying that bettas are not community fish, you are, frankly, ignorant. If you don't know what you're talking about, shut up. I have my one male betta in a 55-gallon tank with 2 silver dollar tetras, 5 fancy-tailed guppies, 3 zebra danios, 7 neon tetras, 3 African dwarf frogs, 4 cory catfish, and 1 ghost shrimp (all the others were eaten by the betta and the frogs). So if you're going to sit there and tell me they aren't community fish, I'm going to sit here and tell you you're full of it.

Answer 2

Oh, that is sooooo not gonna work! You have too many fish, too little water. Take the tetras out or get a much bigger tank--probably 3-4 gallon size. And make sure you have proper filtration for all those fish--bettas aren't as sensitive as tetras, but they'll all need filtration if they live together. And is it heated? A 1.5 gallon tank--probably not. Tetras need their water warmer than the standard betta fish, and bettas also like warmer water. So trade up to a bigger tank with a filter and heater.

My betta prefers the top of the tank, whereas my tiny frog and catfish like the bottom, and the two white clouds swim all over the place. My betta's been a peach with his tank buddies and he got used to them immediately--he likes Mr. Frog a lot and lets the frog jump on him and perch on top of him. The catfish (a red and green aneus catfish--small!) pulls the betta's tail a little bit, but doesn't bite off chunks or anything. Make sure when you get fish friends for your betta that *they're* peaceful, don't have long fins, and don't nip long-finned fish. And they should be fairly small themselves--tetras are OK, or white clouds, smallish catfish, and ghost shrimp are fun, too. Rasboras are an option IF you have a warmer tank with a good filter. Tetras shouldn't be a problem if you go bigger and better with the tank. And give your betta a little time--he might just need to get used to the extra excitement, but he'll probably like them soon enough.

Answer 3

properly regrettably the ambience which you have presented isn't healthful for a betta. he won't thrive in a bowl. a million. Betta's are tropical fish. they are interior sight to Southeast Asia the place it is continuously heat so the Betta's favourite temperature variety is 78F-82F. lots greater than room temperature frequently is, exceedingly this time of twelve months so an aquarium heater is needed in maximum circumstances. - while fish are stored in a temperature it is in simple terms too low they are going to be torpid, no longer at risk of devour, and susecptible to disease. 2. ALL fish stored as pets ought to have filtration. A clear out no longer purely aerates the water, whether it is to blame for the ruin down of fish waste. Fish waste is given off interior this manner of ammonia it is poisonous. once you have a cycled filtration device advantageous micro organism enhabits the media and breaks down ammonia into nitrite (it is likewise deadly) and finally into nitrates that are much less risky and surely stored at a workable point by utilising appearing weekly partial water transformations. 3. A a million/2 gallon bowl is in simple terms too small for any fish. Many evaluate the minimum for a betta to be approximately 5 gallons. It provides you sufficient swimming area, is secure to warmth, and makes for a greater stable ecosystem than smaller volumes. - additionally, bettas are properly-known jumpers and would leap out of uncovered bowls. So a acceptable tank with an entire lid is significant.

Answer 4

Well in self experience with my fish: that may be too many fish in one tank if the tank has a pump & filter, leave the tetras there, and move the betta to something that holds at least 1/2 gal. of water, cause the betta can breathe the air; tetras on other hand need the pump to get air. Good luck with your fish, hope everything turns out alright!!!!

Answer 5

I have a male betta too.Male bettas think that they are the leaders of their fish tanks.If I were you I would remove the tetras before they get hurt.And if you do remove them from the tank make sure that you dont put them next to your bettas tank or he might try to jump out and get into the tetras tank.Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Betta's can go in to a tank with other fish, you just need to make sure what fish they can be with and what fish they can't. Neon Tetras are fin, however you need a bigger tank.

Answer 7

Bettas can go with other fish, but i think the tank is crowded, so they dont get along. I have my betta in a 25gallon tank with glass catfish, a pleco, and a gourami!! Move them to a 5-10gallon tank at least.

Answer 8

I'm no expert, and I'm sure it will show in my answer, but it is my understanding that bettas need to be alone. It may be that the tetras need to be in a different tank. We have a betta, and it stays alone. It seems to be very happy that way. I think they tend to fight with other fish a lot (although that doesn't sound like what's happening with yours).

Answer 9

They can be kept with other fish, except other male bettas. The other answerer is right, the one who said you need one gal of water per inch of fish. You need to take the neons out, or put them all in a bigger tank.

Answer 10

Yeah - that's not a good mix. Bettas are a very solitude needy fish, and do not do well when mixed with others. You have the right size tank for him by himself, but I would get rid of the Tetras or put them in another tank if you have one.