Question about adding fish with my betta..?

Question

Ok, I have a betta in a 10 gallon tank with a heater, air pump, and filter. I want to add 2 type of fish in with my betta: neon tetras and cory catfish. I want to know how many of the two species would be appropriate for the tank. I've heard 4-5 neon tetras with 2 cory catfish would work and then I heard 6 neon tetras with 3 cory catfish would work. I'm going to the pet store today to buy them so I would really appreciate your help.

Betta fish are also known as Siamese fighting fish not whatever you said... and I will not get another betta to the other person that recommended it because they'll attack each other. I have some background knowledge already on my betta guys.

To ally s: since u recommend adding the tetras first then the cories at another time, where would i put the cories in the mean time?? do i have to buy a whole new tank just to house them in for the time being?

Answer 1

Bettas are only aggressive with other fish that look like Bettas, so that was a very good choice of fish! 7 Neons would look really cool with 3 Corries, but if for some reason you don't want that many, get at least 5 Neons and 2 Corries. Make sure to get some sinking food for the Corries because the Neons will eat most of the flake food (try shrimp pellets, algae wafers, and frozen bloodworms). Good luck!

P.S.: Somebody said Corries will grow large, but they stay around 2 inches long. They will be fine, unlike most catfish, Corries are small and peacful.

P.P.S.: Somebody said "keep 2 Bettas together", only do that if you want one killed and the other almost killed. No Gouramis would work because of their finnage. Bettas will not be threatened by any of your fish and you are not overpopulating so don't worry. Email me at "[e-mail]" if you have any questions.

Nosoop4u

Answer 2

I actually have a 10 gallon tank where I have a betta, 1 neon tetra, a molly, and a few guaramis. They are get along fine and I have had no problems. Tetras are better when you have a few. I would get at least three tetra and maybe two catfish. If you don't really need the catfish though I would suggest a couple mollies or guaramis. Catfish are very sensitive and I have found that they are hard to keep alive.

oh, and bettas can be with other fish. they are only aggressive when its a male anf a female betta together. When you have just one betta they are actually very calm, peacefull animals and are actually more likely to get picked on by other fish (i.e.- never put bettas with cichlids)

Answer 3

i would say for you to buy 5 tetras and 2 corys. Corys like to be in small groups but like to be together, so two is a proper amount. The tetras are alright on their own, but are better in larger groups. You might want to think about getting another betta or some type like that to keep it company, or else it will feel threatened by the other species and will become more agressive.

Answer 4

do not get guppies, gouramies, mollies, and whatever else anyone else said.
guppies resemble bettas, not good.
gouramies are a little territorial and usually should be the centerpiece in such a small tank.
mollies get too big and a betta might mistake it for another betta.

neons would be an okay choice. however, they do best in schools of 6. if you can, get one neon and see how your betta reacts to him. all bettas are different, and so are their personalities. if your betta attacks without a cause, i would say that you shouldnt have any other fish in with him. if he leaves the neon alone, then go and get the other 5. neons usually dont provoke other fish, so odds are that this would be fine.

cory's are best when in groups of 3. they stay pretty small and docile. again, if the neon gets attacked, its best not to have anything in with him, but if he doesnt then 3 cories would be fine.

good luck!

Answer 5

Cory cats prefer to be in groups of 3. As well as nenon tetras NEED to be in schools of 6 or more. I think it would be ok for this combination, I would keep an eye on your water condtions. Only add one group at a time, The neon then the corys

Answer 6

adding one group first and then the next group later would be best, this is for tank cycle reasons. you don't wan tot overload hte tank with a sudden major increase in waste. it would be best not to buy the corys until they can be put in, if you bought them already just add them, it shouldn't be a huge deal, just do more frequent partial water changes for a weekish.

I'd suggest 5 tetras and 3 cory cats. if you add them all at once do a 10% water change a few hours later then another in a day or two.

Answer 7

Seems like you've done a good amount of research on taking care of your betta :)

Cory catfish are great tankmates for bettas; however, I'd just like to say that I've heard (although I have never tried tankmates) neon tetras tend to nip at long-finned bettas. They move much faster than bettas, making it hard for bettas to outswim them. You might want to look this up first; just mentioning it.

Answer 8

If the beta feels crowded he will attack the other fish. Years ago we had a 20 gallon tank with a bunch of fish including a male and female betta at the same time.

Speak with your local pet store. If they have brains you should be okay and they should be able to advise you further. I know the tetras are good to go, not sure about the catfish though. Just don't over populate your tank.

It's better to have a few happy fish (espcially tetas as they make lots of babies) then a tank full of sick and dead ones.

Answer 9

i have a betta fish in a tank with 2 black tetras and 2 glow fish. they all do well together. the neon tetras are a good choice, just remember that they are "schooling fish" so you'll need at least five of them to make them feel safe. the black tetras are supposedly prone to nipping at fins of other fish, but i haven't had any such issues. they've been together 2wks. hope this helps in your search.

Answer 10

Hi...glad you know a lot about Betta's. Now you need to buy a book on fish aquariums. Betta's as you know are easy to care for... gill breathing fish are not. Cory fish are actually cat fish and almost all types grow to be way to large for a ten gallon tank. The most inches of fish your tank can support is 16 inches of full grown fish (count it as full grown even if you buy babies) and you still need to do your fresh water changes every week. A book to really help you on your way is The simple guide to Freshwater AQUARIUMS by David E. Boruchowitz.