I have only one male betta and I want a fish to suck the crap that the betta leaves behind. I've never done this before and don't know if my betta will kill it or if he'll tolerate it.
2007-01-05 06:13:36 · 7 answers · asked by ananon 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
The thing you're not really considering in your question is that the bottom feeders produce waste too. Adding another sort of bottom feeder, whether it be an algae eater or a snail or some shrimp, will not make your water cleaner, because those organisms contribute to the bioload themselves.
My best recommendation is to get a few live plants. Java fern and java moss are excellent, and bettas love to rest on the leaves or in the moss. They're very low maintenence plants. All you really need to do is stick them in there and let them float (or you could tie the fern to a rock or piece of decoration that it will eventually bond to). Every so often you'll need to pick off the browning leaves, but it's no chore. These particular aquatic plants don't need a lot of light, and they help keep ammonia levels down.
Don't get a pleco unless your betta tank is 10-20 gallons because plecos get big and need a lot of room.
I wouldn't recommend snails either, at least not the mystery or apple snails sold at pet shops. I have an apple snail in with one my bettas, and he makes the water stankier A LOT faster than it used to get with just my betta.
2007-01-05 06:31:54 · answer #1 · answered by bettalover 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What size is your tank? Although bottom feeders will "clean up" after a fish, they don't really clean the water, and they themselves still produce ammonia and waste. It's like if you lived in a bachelor apartment, and you invited someone else to move in with you on the condition that they pick up after you - they will pick up your clothes and do the dishes, but they still take up room, use the toilet, spread dust, etc.
Also, bottom feeders need to be fed. Many of them will do some nibbling on algae, excess fish waste etc, but they need their diet supplement with zucchini, pellets, wafers, etc. or they'll starve.
I'm guessing you have a small betta tank, right? If your tank is under 5 gallons, you don't have too many options. You could get an apple snail, or a handful of malaysian trumpet snails, or a few ghost shrimp (betta might try to eat these, so get adult shrimp). These will tidy up some of the mess and won't need much feeding.
If your tank is 10 gallons, you could get 3 corydoras.
If your tank is over 30 gallons, you could get 6 corydoras OR one bushy-nosed plecostomous.
Anyway, bottom feeders will never take the place of water changes. If you don't have a filter, you must clean the tank often. Use a clean turkey baster, and ever suck out 50% of the water, along with any poop and uneaten food, and replace with fresh water. It won't take more than 5 minutes and you will always have a crystal clear tank, without ever having to remove the fish and do a full cleaning which is time consuming and unhealthy for your fish. Your other option, of course, is to get a bigger tank ;)
2007-01-05 06:47:08 · answer #2 · answered by Zoe 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on the tank. Plecos and betta will get along. Most get pretty big, but a clown pleco stays pretty small.
If you just have a bowl for your betta, you could get snails. Just keep in mind they are asexual, so even if you only get one, they will multiply (most pet stores will take excess of your hands)
Other options could also be ghost shrimp, or maybe a rainbow/red tailed shark.
2007-01-05 06:20:26 · answer #3 · answered by allyalexmch 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If your considering this I would get a larger tank with a heater. Yes your beta can live with heated water. I would also do a filter. This will save you lots of time cleaning the tank. Once you have done these things you can get several things to help clean. I would go with Cory catfish!
2007-01-05 07:57:39 · answer #4 · answered by angelmwilson 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cory Catfish, all types of shrimp, african dwarf frogs, snails. make sure your tank is big enough to house all these fish and critters.
Just to let you know, there are no bottom feeding fish or critters that will eat fish poop, at least not generally. Bottom critters will only eat algea or leftover food that sinks to the bottom.
Also, Bettas do NOT kill other fish. Get this myth out of your head!!!
2007-01-05 06:22:38 · answer #5 · answered by chamelean75 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋
a pleco..........just get a small filter.....bottom feeders do not prevent the tank from clouding and they dont eat all of the poop.
2007-01-05 08:26:40 · answer #6 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The male betta is agressive to all fish. He'll kill it.
2007-01-05 06:40:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋