What "tankmate" options do I have?

Question

I have a betta and apple snail that exist quite well together. They have been in a one gallon tank but I recently upgraded to a three gallon. I'm thinking about adding at least one other fish in a couple weeks after the betta gets used to his new surroundings. Is there enough room for another fish? And if there is, what is my best choice of fish?

Answer 1

Whatever you do, do NOT put only one tetra in with the your betta and snail in the 3 gallon tank. I have been doing a lot of research on aquariums and different types of fish before starting up my tank, and one thing I learned is that most tetras are schooling fish and will NOT do well all by themselves. Please do not unnecessarily stress out this fish. Be kind and keep them in groups of at least five or six.

I would recommend keeping only the betta and snail and maybe adding ghost shrimp (like somebody else already mentioned). They don't require that much room, and your betta may like having a lot more space at his disposal.

Answer 2

You won't have your female betta very long if you put her in there with the male. Just letting you know that is not a good choice.

With tank mates, you have to consider the peak or best habitat for the fish you already have, then try to match that with another compatible fish. Bettas like warmer water than most tropical fishes, so the most logical thing to do is to consider other tropical fish from the same area of the world, Asia.

Here is a way to start learning......
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/powersearch.php?q=community+tanks&database=articles&submit=search

Answer 3

A female betta is definitely out. And I think tetras will bite at a betta's fins. The only fish I know of that are good with bettas are cory catfish and dwarf frogs, but they are both better in multiples and your three gallon could be small -- maybe two dwarf frogs would be OK....

Answer 4

it really is too small for more tank mates. while bettas can be great with tankmates, without proper room they can be territorial, plus it would be quite a bit of waste for such a small tank. something small like a tetra would be your best choice because of size, but it would be stressing for it because tetra are schooling fish. the srtess would lead to fin nipping and a torn up betta.

as for the condition of the water, if it filtered and heated? bettas do best in filtered, heated water, but they can do okay in room temp unfiltered water if the tank is kept clean. however, other fish will need a heater and filter, and a 3gallon is too small for most heaters, you'd need a 7.5watt.

as for another betta as a tankmate... NO. bad idea. even mating is very violent and they have to be separated imediately after. males can't be with other bettas, some females can be kept with other females, but only with lots of room, plenty of plants, and in groups of 3 or more.

if you'd like tankmates I'd go with no smaller than a 10gallon.

Answer 5

I don't recommend dwarf frogs... they get over 2 inches long and that's a lot of frog for such a tiny tank. They really need at least 10 gallons.... but you can add a few ghost shrimp... and a plant. :)

Answer 6

what is the sex of the betta fish? if its a male....you can get a female, or the other way around. you can put 2+ females in the tank together with a male but never 2 males in the same tank....theyll kill eachother. If your fish is a male try getting mollies, catfish, or loaches.....dont buy small fish like guppies bc the male will nip at them

Answer 7

With that small of a tank and two critters already, I wouldn't add anything else, but if you just had to have something else, I would try one small fish like maybe a tetra.

Answer 8

NEON TETRAS. A MALE BETTA NEEDS 3 FEMALES OR HE MAY GET AGGRESSIVE-WELL THATS WHAT IVE LEARNED THROUGH MUCH RESEARCH ON BETTAS

Answer 9

You could try a female betta.

Answer 10

try this website:

www.bettatalk.com