adding a betta to a tropical fish tank?

Question

I've seen this mentioned here before (also, sorry for the betta spam :P) but I couldn't find the old questions.

I have a new 29 gallon tank that's been cycling for about a week. Assuming that the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels are safe, is it ok to add a betta to the tank before I've added the other fish?

My concern would be that the betta might decide the whole thing is its territory and not want to share with new fish when they're added. But I'm asking because I really don't know and don't want to end up causing fish fights... And just to double check, if it's just 1 betta (and no other fish that look like bettas) does it matter which gender I add? I'd prefer male just because the ones I've seen look cooler than the females I've seen.

Wow that's a lot of answers fast. In response to some comments: I've got one of those master test kits and the ammonia and nitrite levels have gone to ~0. When I set up the tank I used some plants from another tank, as well as adding one of those bacterial supplements (not the bio-spira, but the less effective free stuff that came with the tank). Anyhow, yeah I wouldn't go and toss 10 new fish in it, but my thinking was that if after a week the ammonia and nitrite were gone that a betta (who is sitting in a little tiny cup at the pet store) would be ok with it.

Answer 1

You'd be fine to add a betta first. While they do get territorial with other bettas, or fish that look like them, they'll be fine with other community fish. A male betta will do fine with other species.

1 warning though: If you want your betta to keep its pretty fins, don't add tetras or angel fish. They are both fin nippers and your betta will look ragged!

Good luck!

Answer 2

The gourami may cause you problems. It's a two way thing - the betta sometimes confuses the gourami with another betta, and the gourami is semi-aggressive and may attack. However, it's a 30 gallon and there may well be enough room for them to live side by side. I'd say go for it, give it a try. Keep an eye out and keep the other tank running so you can move him back if necessary. Like everyone else has said, remember to acclimatise correctly, either by PeeTee's method or by using a bag and leaving him around an hour instead of the recommended 15 and then 15 minutes. If it doesn't work, you can simply get the betta a mini 7.5w heater. :)

Answer 3

i recommend letting the tank cycle longer than a week. i always give all my tanks at least 3 weeks. get yourself a master test kit from the petstore so you can check the nitrate, nitrite and ammonia levels before adding any fish. ammonia will cause gill damage to your fish and stress it also makes it harder for fish to breathe. even a level of 0.25 can harm and or kill the fish. bettas are fighter fish and do become territorial. to stop the aggression change around all the plant decor in the tank this way he wont remember his territory. then add new fish so they can all start anew and pick territories with no aggression arising. you can add any genders of fish just never 2 male bettas. hope this helps. oh yeah and be sure that besides angelfish and tetras you dont add barbs because they are fin nippers too. try not to get tropical fish with large fins such as angelfish. also make sure to look at how big the fish get before adding them in this way you know it wont be overcrowded anytime soon.

Answer 4

As long as you're sure those ammonia levels are ok (the plants from the other tank have helped, I'm sure) you can put in the Betta. There are tons of articles about fish compatibility online - so just check those out before adding fish.

Answer 5

If you are concerned about fish aggression, your betta will be just fine with other tropical community fish. But if you are concerned for the well being of your betta, make sure your filter isn't creating a strong current in the tank. In the wild, bettas live in standing water like rice paddies and puddles. Any strong current will completely stress your betta out. Odds are that he will probably hide in a corner of the tank where the water moves the least. A filter with a gentle current should be just fine. Good luck!

Answer 6

Betta's are aggressive fish. There are some fish that you can't mix them with. I had the whole fish tank thing like 8 years ago. If you talk to your local pet store they can tell you what not to do with a Betta. They don't just "fish fight" the Betta will kill the other fish. I had little "neon" fish in with mine and it didn't kill the big ones but one of the neon fish had babies and the Betta killed them all. It actually ate them.
They are very territorial. Try putting a mirror up to the Betta. It will flare out his neck. Oh and Never mix two of the same gender Betta's together. They will kill each other.
To be such a beautiful fish, they are kinda picky!

Answer 7

OK first of all, a week is not long enough to cycle a tank. Add 3 drops of ammonia to the tank (not the scented kind) and wait another week. Test the ammonia. If it is at zero, you are good. If it is not, do a water change and get a snail to cycle your tank.

Second, if you are adding other fish (guppies, platties, mollies) add your betta last. They are very territorial and will attack other fish entered into their domain.

Male Betta's are the prettier of the species and only 1 male. no females with him either. Females are not as aggressive and you can keep many females in the same tank.

Answer 8

the territory bettas claim is usually kind of small. females claim territory too and you can keep 3 or 4 together in just 5 gallons and probably less.

with bettas you will have to be very careful what you add after -- a general list of betta friends are mollies platies small schooling tetras, rasboras, danios, corys. there are a few others like dwarf frogs, etc.

gouramies, angelfish, and guppies are likely to get their butts kicked by either males or females. females will fight but generally they don't fight each other.

Answer 9

You will be fine adding a betta to the tank before the other fish. Realize though that you are going to have to cycle your tank again, because the bacteria needs a live animal in order to survive.

Answer 10

One male betta. One female betta is optional. Yes the male's are prettier to look at, make sure there are plenty of places for your other fish to hideout if the betta is feeling tuff. Good Luck