Betta advice?

Question

I have a betta fish in a 2.5g tank. Though I know it's not strictly necessary for betta, I added an air pump. He seems to like it (more active, better color), but it gives just enough movement at the surface that he can't make a bubble nest. Is that OK for him?

Additionally, the temperature fluctuation is fairly high between day and night, especially since my A/C doesn't work very effectively. I've considered a small water heater but am not sure if there's one that will work for such a small tank, yet won't overheat during the day when it's warmer. Ideas? A larger tank is not possible, my tank's on an office counter and is the largest I can have in this space.

Finally, are there any small fish (or snail/shrimp/whatever) that would get along well with the Betta in the same type environment that I could add one/two of without overpopulating?

Answer 1

First the heater, yes there is one that will work well in your tank and I under stand it's available at Petco, Petsmart type retailers. Hydor 7.5 watt here's a link:
http://www.bizrate.com/fishsupplies/oid491455793.html

I would suggest you go with a snail of a few small shrimp in the 2.5 with a betta. The only fish that might do well is a dwarf cory cat or two.

The surface movement preventing a bubble nest isn't a problem really, but if you want to give him a chance, cut the top ring off of a styrofoam cup and float it in the tank. he will build his nest inside the ring.

Hope that helps

MM

Answer 2

Bettas are very hardy fish. The temperature should not be much of a problem. Although they are tropical fish, temperature changes do not seem to bother them much. There are heaters for your size tank available at petsmart, but they are about twenty dollars and are not reliable.

On the bubble nest... No, if you are not breeding he does not need to build a bubble nest. One of my males does not even bother making any.

In a 2.5 gallon tank there is not much to go with a betta. In bigger tanks they can be placed with other fish, but right now you would be more safe to stick with an african dwarf frog or a snail. He will eat any shrimp. I've tried... lol Have fun with him! It seems you are doing just fine!

Answer 3

Since most peopel asnwered about everything else, I'll hit upon tankmates...

I am keeping bettas in 3g tanks with a wide assortment of creatures. Some have wild guppies. Some have ghost shrimp. A few have pygmy corys(Cory Habrosus). All the tanks have a lil Olive Nerite Snail for algae control.

I have a community 20g tank that has Black Neons, Pygmy Cory's, Cherry Shrimp and a male betta.

Answer 4

Looks like this one is well answered..I just wanted to second the tankmate issue.. bettas are typically fine with most non-aggressive tropicals. I see many posts about how aggressive they are but in actuality they are very passive fish who normally get picked on by others not the other way around. We keep ours with all sorts of tropicals and they do just fine. Just give him a place to hide for a bit as he has likely never been around other fish before.