Mixing my Betta fish and a couple Cory Catfish?

Question

I have a male betta that I have had for almost 4 months now. He is in about a 2 gallon tank at the moment, and seems to be very content (he is constantly building elaborate bubble nests). Lately I have been considering moving him to a 5 gallon tank and adding a couple of Cory Catfish in with him. I have read that this shouldn't be much of a problem, as the catfish are bottom dwellers and the betta shouldn't pay much attention to them; however, my concern is that my betta does enjoy spending time along the bottom of the tank, swimming and even "resting". Do you think that he would still be fine with the catfish? Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Despite various people's beliefs bettas love large tanks. I keep my males in 5 gallon tanks. My oldest is over 3 years old. Cory cats are a good tank mate for a betta, but honestly betta live longer with no tank mates. Here is what I'd do to start a new tank.

0) Setup tank right next to old tank.
1)Put in 3-4 handfuls of gravel, and a gallon of water from the old tank.
2)Let run for 2 days.
3)Get the cory cats.
4)Every 3 days replace 2 gallons of water.
5)After a week or 2 add the betta. (It's always best put a betta into a tank with fish, than fish into a betta's tank.)

Answer 2

forget approximately the entire "Killer" subject. i does no longer positioned a betta in maximum of my tanks via fact an Oscar or a college of Tiger Barbs will the two consume it total, or tear to to shreds (and consume the bits) respectively. so which you ought to careful it should not be the betta this is killed. So what are you able to do? First you ought to understand betta greater. Betta are extremely territorial, and could very aggressive in direction of yet another betta, or something they mistake for yet another betta. So no different betta, no gourami (too comparable) and fancy guppies are risky. yet maximum smaller, short finned community fish would be fantastic. Cherry Barns, neon tetras, cory catfish, kuhli loaches, platies etc. additionally endure in innovations that maximum fish want better area than a betta can stay in. frequently 10 gallons or greater. this further area additionally reduces the aggression of the betta (it is approximately territory) putting different fish right into a tiny "betta sized" tank will end badly, yet which will ensue whether there's a betta in there or no longer. Ian

Answer 3

He should be fine, he might be territoral at first and "puff up" when he sees the cory's but should soon get over it. Betta's usually only react when they are together with other male bettas but I have kept them in community fish tanks with no problems. Be aware that bettas are short lived (usually only a year).
Hope this helped!
Michelle

Answer 4

Their might be too many fish in one tank. You are suppose to have like 2 gallons per inch of fish, or something like that. Since the betta has been a lone for a long time, he might feel aggressive.

Answer 5

My real question to you is:
Why would you want to move the Beta at all? The smaller the space (IE a 2 gallon vs. a 5 gallon) for the Beta, they will prefer a 2 gallon. Betas are not community fish. They prefer not being mixed with other fish in a closed system. Best to populate a 5 gallon with community fish and leave the beta to stay where he is. As to your question, the Cory although not territorial, they can cause some stress to the Beta if it constantly is cleaning the gravel base where the Beta resides. It's a hit or miss thing.

Answer 6

It should be ok for a 5 gallon. Get a heater as well if you don't have one. Sometimes my community bettas will test the other fish or get grumpy and nip them, but it never gets extreme and rarely does any fish get hurt.

Answer 7

i have betta and 2 corys in my tank and they get allong very well!

Answer 8

It shouldn't be a problem and if it is then just put him back in his own tank =)