Betta or Gold Fish?

Question

which should i get?

Answer 1

I have both and though I enjoy both, here's a rundown of what I've experienced.

Pros of bettas:
-more colorful
-need less space
-produce less waste
-can breathe without airation
-two or more females can live together
-can be tank mates with many other types of fish
-slower moving and calming to watch

Cons of bettas:
-need more constant temperature
-can only keep one male in a tank
-females can live together but have less fin length
-don't live as long as goldfish

Pros of goldfish:
-can live long if properly cared for
-can grow 12 inches or larger if properly cared for
-interesting to watch (in my opinion)
-can live in more varying temperatures

Cons of goldfish:
-need a lot more room than bettas (I think it's at least 10 gallons per fish for optimum growth and health, at least for single tail fish)
-dirty the tank faster
-need more airation than bettas
-come in less colors
-single tail goldfish cannot be mixed with doubletail goldfish and neither can be mixed with many other species

good luck

Answer 2

Bettas can survive (and even thrive) in smaller tanks, and have better digestive situations and are less sensitive to changing water conditions. Provided that you're able to provide a betta with at least 5 gallons of heated, gently filtered water (which is very easy to do), I say go for the betta. Goldfish would require at least 20-40 gallons starting out and special dietary care.

Answer 3

Betta

Answer 4

I personally prefer Bettas. They are less messy and are very pretty to look at. But the only drawback is that you can only keep the males in separate tanks. So if you have a big tank say 10gal. you may want goldfish. Or one betta male and other fish that are compatible with the betta.

Answer 5

My daughter got a Betta for Christmas and It seems very easy to take care of. I have only had to clean his bowl 1 time. I don't know if he ever eats. If he does I haven't seen it yet,(I do feed him) but I had gold fish sometime ago and I could not keep them alive. Betta's are prettier, but you can only keep one unless you get females. The females are not as pretty, but the males will kill each other and any other fish you put in with it. In the research I have done, some times a spotted molly will survive with the betta, but not always. Hope this helps, good luck!!

Answer 6

I like both. But...

I prefer Betta. They're hardy little fish and are perfectly adapted to living in a tank without filtration due to their Labyrinth organ, which lets them "gulp" air.

Goldfish can also live in conditions most fish could not, but they're not as well suited. They also come in different colors and patterns and there are different types than the common ones you generally see. But many need more care and more specific tank conditions.

Betta are easy keepers. Beautiful and come in a huge variety of colors and patterns. They're energetic and fun to watch. They each have their personality and watching their displays is quite interesting.

Answer 7

i like bettas more because they are so much more attractive, you could keep a male betta and a gold fish if you wanted(depending on tank size) and its a common myth that male bettas will attack any tankmate in the tank, they will only attack other bettas. i have a betta in a cichlid tank right now and its doing fine(other than a little beat up) you might look into crowntail bettas... i find they r much more attractive

Answer 8

Well If you like allot of fish then goldfish is for you but if you just want one then your choice is the betta. I myself like the betta more .

Answer 9

Bettas are easier to take care of. Don't need as much care as goldfish which are a "dirtier" fish. I have both and can tell you my betta is care "lite"...had him for 3 years.

Answer 10

Definatly get a Betta! Goldfish die way too easily. Bettas are beatiful fish, and are pretty easy to care for.