Betta Tank Size Question?

Question

I decided to buy a betta end of this summer and so some friends of mine bought a 39 litres tank for me. However i am not sure about the size (or style: black front sealing restricts the view a bit) as i would like to buy one or two fish to keep the betta company (yes, i am aware of the limited options as the betta is territorial).
As i have never kept any fish (my flatmate has though) before i am slightly reluctant to go for a tank smaller than 50litres and at the moment think of purchasing a 100 litres tank (clearseal b shape).
however is it actually worth it?
I mean, the only "pretty to look at" fish i could keep would be the betta and the 100 litres seems a bit of a waste.
On the other hand i think the 39litres would be a bit small to inlcude 1 or 2 smaller fish or some african dwarf frogs or armano shrimps.
It would be a great help if someone who has tried both options could advise me, or suggest an option i havent considered yet.
(has to be betta, i really want one)
Thanks
x

Thank
especially magicman,
that did help.
one more question thought:
what about the bright colouration of the tetras or neons (or neon tetras)?
Wouldnt that bother the betta or is it just the finnage they of for instance guppies they mind?
Dont the neon and tetras fin nip?

Answer 1

Welcome to the hobby!

Actually there are several pretty fish you can keep with your betta. Bettas are only territorial with other bettas and will do fine with most other species of fish as well as with dwarf frogs or various shrimps. I have kept literally thousands of bettas in anything from a 2 liter bowl to 350+ liter tanks with other fish.

A 39 liter would be fine for a betta, a shrimp or two and possibly another fish such as a male guppy. I would however suggest that the 100 liter tank would be better in 2 very significant ways. First it will allow you to much more easily filter and heat the tank therefore providing a far better environment for the betta and it's tank mates. Secondly, it would allow you to include very small schooling fish such as neons, glow light tetras or similar small fishes. A 100 liter tank could easily be home to a male betta,a pair of killifish, a school of 6-7 of 2 of the above species or similar sized fish, a pair or cory catfish as well as several various shrimps. That should make for an attractive and active community of fishes.

Hope that helps

MM

Answer 2

MagicMan is usually correct so I will add to the second questions about Tetra's. Usually you need to stay away from the large tail fish that are bright colored. I have Neon Tetra's, swordtails, Platy's and Bleeding heart Tetra's and my Male Betta hasn't even chased them. So I would recommend getting a few Neons. They are very peaceful and lovely to look at.

Answer 3

i could say the minimum betta tank dimension could be 3 gallons. yet once you like a very blissful and thriving betta, choose for a heated 5 gallon. As for the optimal...there is now no longer somewhat a optimal. yet for me, i would not shop one in a larger tank than could be 20 gallons.

Answer 4

well if you want your betta to swim around pick the small 1 i put my'n in a 5 gallon tank and it only swam at the bottom so just do the smaller one if you want more fish justt by some guppies and another tank! p.s betta's do better in smaller suroundings.