betta fish better?

Question

eveyone is telling me that goldfish are the worst starting fishpets and to go for bettas, what are the requrements for a betta and what kind of fish can u put in a tank with them? also do they need special food or equipment like heaters or large tanks? can a 10 gallon do?

Answer 1

A lot of these people (not all, but a lot) seem to be giving you bad advice about bettas.

First of all, bettas love space just as much as any other fish. Yes, a betta can survive in a half-gallon container - but it won't thrive, and it won't be happy. The recommended minimum size is a 2.5 gal tank. If you put a betta in a 10 gal tank, it would love you forever. Especially if it is well planted.

Bettas definitely need heaters. They are tropical fish, and will become lethargic if the water temperature drops below 74 degrees Fahrenheit or so. They live best in a range of 78-82 degrees. And if you put it in a 10 gal tank, it would also definitely need a filter.

Bettas are carnivores, so they need food with lots of protein. You can find a food called betta bites (little pellets) in any pet store, but it's good to have a varied diet for your betta. Too much of one type of food, especially the pellets, and your betta could get constipated. Other good foods for bettas include brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia (freeze-dried, frozen, or live).

Finally, bettas can usually live with any fish that is not too aggressive and does not look too much like another betta - such as having overly long fins and being fairly colorful. So any fairly plain-looking passive fish would do. Granted, each betta has it's own temperament, and may not do well living with ANY other fish. Female bettas generally can live together, so long as you get more than 2. Females tend to create a pecking order of sorts, so if you put only 2 together, one betta would most likely pick on the other one until it became seriously wounded. With 3 or more, this is less likely to happen. For a 10 gal tank, 3 females would fit perfectly. And remember, never put male bettas together - they will fight to the death.

Good luck picking out a new fishy friend! :)

Answer 2

Goldfish are not the worst but bettas are easier. Bettas in the wild can live in pools the size of a foot print . Our tank raised bettas don't require much more room than that and 10 gallons would be plenty big for a betta & a few tank mates about his size. Bettas are unique in that they have two ways to breath. They have gills like other fish and they have a labrinth system whereby they can take air in from the surface. In a small space - like a footprint they breath directly from the surface. In the pet store you will see them in tiny containers barely big enough for them to turn around. Guppy's are pretty easy to care for and some fancy strains are expensive. Guppys, bettas and gold fish have few special needs and can share a tank with any fish that wont eat them. Guppy's need more heat than bettas or goldfish. Two male bettas will fight til the death so get one. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Seems to be a few misconceptions on the Bettas here. One they typcially will only fight with other bettas, with enough space the betta will not bother most fish. Often the betta will be chased by other fish and have their long fins nipped at.
Two, you may keep female bettas together and they do not fight, only male bettas fight. The females have much shorter fins but still come in a lot of cool colors.

If you want a 10 gallon tank I would go with a nice tetra or some guppies, both are easy to care for as well.

Answer 4

A ten gallon can hold about 10 Betta because mostly the fishes live in a 1 gallon tank, and yes it is easier to start with Betta because they don't need a lot of room or food. Since these are bettas you would only get to keep on or all of them will fight with each other.there also called "fighting fish."I don't know if you can put any other fish because I've never tried it but good luck! =)

Answer 5

Bettas need very little space. A ten gallon tank will be huge for one of those little guys! Mine is in what I call a "fishatarium" for lack of a better word, and it holds just over half a gallon of water, rocks in the bottom, a plastic plant, and my Betta, Marshall. Bettas have to be kept alone because they are extremely aggressive and will attack each other and any other fish in their environment. They eat betta pellets and bloodworms, and I give mine the occasional fruit fly as a treat when and if I kill one. A heater isn't required as long as you keep your fish in a place that won't let the water temperature go below 60 degrees F or above 80 degrees F, and you really don't need an air filter, either, unless you already have a tank with a filter you are planning on putting the betta in with. I love having my fish because I go back and forth between home and college a lot, and bettas are hardy enough that I can pack Marshall up in a Tupperware container and stick him in the cup holder and never worry that the trip is going to hurt him. Bettas are great for people who want a small pet that's super easy to take care of with a big personality.

Answer 6

bettas are AWESOME starting fish. 10 gallons is an awesome size tank for them, considering they are usually crammed in teeny tiny jars and such. Filter/heater is necessary. They mostly can not, though be kept with other fish because of their extremely agressive nature. Sometimes, though, they can live with other small shrimp, snails, etc depending on the temperament of the betta. They can be fed betta pellets as a staple diet but enjoy blood worms and brine shrimp as a treat.They enjoy live plants and need hiding places and access to the surface to exercise their air breathing organ.

I love bettas.
=D

Answer 7

Do any of you people answering this question actually own a betta? A betta killing other fish??? It is possible but it's a rarity. I keep my betta with a cherry barb and there are zilcho problems. And YES Bettas do NEED a heater. In cold waters, they move less and basically stay in one place. Bettas are tropical fish, that means they like 78 degree water. Bettas can stay with other bettas but only in certain conditions and with a LOT of hiding places.

I would say the best fish that would go with bettas would be platies or any sort of non agressive short finned fish.

Bettas really like pellets. Hikari bio gold is great for bettas. mine really likes it.

Answer 8

If you are going with a 10 gallon you can set up a small fish community with danios, tetras, rasboras, angelfish, cory cats, etc.

Bettas do best by themselves in small tanks -- 1,2,3 gallon size is fine. The larger the tank greater the urge is to want something else. I have 2 male bettas in a divided 2 1/2 gallon tank and it works well. They flare at each other and put on a show.

You can put female bettas together with other females. try 3-5 in a 5 gallon and it makes a really nice tank.

Bettas like plants to hang out in. You can get easy to grow plants like java fern, java moss, anubia and your betta will love you for it.

If you have to put something in with your male betta try a shrimp or dwarf african frog.

Answer 9

Betta are easier, mainly because they don't need a lot of room to survive.

If you're starting, don't mess with putting other fix in a tank with them. If you want a 10 gallon tank, I would look at other fish. Stay away from the 25 cent goldish, but also be prepared that ANY fish you buy, whether 25 cents or $2000 is going to have a chance of dying.

If you are going to start with betas, just start with betas.

Answer 10

They are very aggresive fish and can't be put in a tank with other betas. They like small tanks and a 10 gallon is just fine for them. Any other specific details you should ask the pet store or research the information on a beta web site or a book about the.