Betta Fish in tanks?

Question

I have a male crowntail Betta. That I put in a 4 gallon tank beacuse I thought as soon as I saved my money I would buy a heater. So I could put small tropical fish into the tank. So I put him in the tank with no fish in it but I got to looking in to things about Betta fish and found out that they need to stay in extra small contrianer because they would get more air. I dont get this because I would think if you had put a Betta fish in a 4 gallon tank like I did they would be happier. What do you think? I also know that Betta Fish are frighting fish but I read and have seem betta fish getting along fine with tropical fish. Thank you for your time. Oh and just so you know the tank that I have is a baby biorb if that is any help! Thank you sooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

A 4 gallon tank is a great size for a betta. DO NOT believe anything you read about bettas having to be in smaller containers. Just like any other fish, the larger amount of water they have, the happier they are and the healthier they will be. People are under the false impression that they need small containers because bettas are very hardy fish and CAN survive in small amounts of water; however, they will be extremely unhappy and will probably get sick.

Betta fish do get along with most tropical fish and actually do very well in a community tank. As long as the other fish is not a betta or does not resemble a betta, your betta can make friends very easily. Male bettas cannot live with other bettas under any circumstances, but females can live together in groups of at least 5 (no less) in at least 10 gallons. Platys, cory catfish, African Dwarf Frogs and White Mountain Cloud Minnows are just a few of the animals that get along with bettas.

Answer 2

Bettas are only aggressive towards other Bettas or fish they think are Bettas. No fish is happy in a small tank. Bettas can be kept in tiny spaces, but they won't be happy, they will get very stressed, and they will have a better chance of getting sick. The 4 gallon was a great idea. You may be able to keep 4 Neon Tetras in the tank if you want. But if you are going to keep anything with the Betta, you need a heater. Even Bettas (tropical fish) need heaters. The reason people say it is okay to keep Bettas in small vases without heaters is because they don't want to feel bad when they kill it, so somebody made up that crap and ended up prematurely killing a bunch of fish. Thank you for taking care of your Betta.

Nosoop4u

Answer 3

1. Any type of rock is fine, as long as you rinse it well before you put it in there. 2. DO NOT clean all the rocks- you will destroy your bacteria cycle, possibly leading to an ammonia spike which will kill your fish!!! Instead, get a gravel vac and use that. Do not remove the betta from the aquarium, it is unnecessary and stressful for them. 3. When you use the gravel vac, take out 20-25 percent of the water 1-2 times per week. If you get a filter, you will only have to gravel vac once a month. I would seriously look into getting one if I were you. 4.You don't need a heater. I know other people on here are saying you do but they are wrong. I have never used heaters for my bettas, and my house ranges from 60-65 degrees. He doesn't even need the warm light. He will be fine without it. 5. Just use conditioned tap water. 6. A "Cycle" is referring to the life of the bacteria within your tank. When your fish poops, that poop (as well as uneaten food) will turn into toxic ammonia unless "good bacteria" processes it. The bacteria turns the ammonia into nitrite, then more bacteria turns the nitrite into nitrate, and then you remove the nitrate by doing a water change. The bacteria lives in the rocks and gravel, which is why you never want to take your rocks out and rinse them- then you start the "cycle" all over! When you first start your tank, it takes time for the bacteria to grow and multiply, which is why starting a tank is so touchy. One betta in a five gallon should be fairly easy to do, however, a filter would make it easier as it removes uneaten food and poop from the water (thereby keeping ammonia from developing). If you do get a filter, you will need to change the cartridge once a month. To keep your cycle working properly, do water changes as I've outlined and seriously consider a filter. Also, if you are concerned about the levels of ammonia/nitrate/nitrite in your water as your tank begins its cycle, either use test strips to find out (maybe your dad has some?) or you can bring a cup of water from your fish tank to your local Petco, they will test your water for free. You are welcome, I hope you enjoy Kwop Kilawtley!

Answer 4

The volume of the tank has no bearing on how much air a Betta gets. They have the ability to breathe whole air,so the Oxygen content of the water means nothing. They are fighting fish,the males only fight other males. They will leave other species alone,actually "nippy" species(like Tiger Barbs) will bother Betta's. The bio-orb tanks don't have a lot of surface area,so don't add too many other fish,they will be lacking Oxygen.

Answer 5

Betta's do NOT belong in extra small containers. This is a great way to justify the idiots at the pet stores who insist on putting these beautiful fish in plastic cups.

The tank that you have is EXCELLENT for a betta. They thrive in bigger tanks.

Bettas can live with non-aggressive fish that are LARGER than the betta and can defend themselves. Guppies and other fish of that color are usually a bad idea because of their fins. The fish you should put shouldn't be fin-nippers since this is a great way for a fight.

White skirt tetras, larger goldfish, sepia tetras, and rainbow fish are some good fish that can live with betta's.

Betta's should never, ever be paired with other betta's.

Answer 6

You are right. Betta's are happier in bigger tanks. I would get a heater as soon as possible though if I were you. Bettas just don't get along with eachother. Other fish are good. I find they get along best with Blood Fin Tetras. Mollies are good but Mollies seem to get sick easily.

Answer 7

i have had fish for ages! I always usually kept my male (and/or females) betta in a larger tank with other fish. They are fine in small containers because in their natural habitat they basically live in puddles. But larger cages are great for them. You should put an air pump in the tank if u dont already. The betta really doesnt need it but the other fishes will. Try and get platy's and swordtails. They are great fishes to all get along. And they can easily breed if you just read a little about it. I bred them for a while. haha.
And remember that they do get along with other fish fine, most of them. I had one out of plenty that was mean, haha. And I even had some that I could put a few males together.
Good luck! :)

Answer 8

what what what? i have a betta in a 20 gallon community tank and he is happy. i have another in a 5 gallon tank by himself and he is happy.

i really don't understand the argument that a betta would get more air in an extra small bowl. it defies logic.

a baby biorb is cute but it is really too small to be mixing a community in. your betta would be more than happy in one by himself though i think -- bettas do need air at the surface and i think you can take the top of to feed them so they should get more than enough air.

Answer 9

What you read I'm afraid was totally and completely wrong. It's shocking how much misinformation is still around about bettas. Your betta will do best in a filtered, heated aquarium just like you are giving him. Also, you can certainly have tankmates for a betta, they are only hostile towards other bettas.

For better information about bettas, here's a few sites that really have it right

http://www.bettysplendens.com/articles/home.imp
http://www.ibc-smp.org/species/splendens.html

Hope that helps and enjoy your fish!

MM

Answer 10

no don't put Betta's in small little bowls keep him int the tank you have but don't but any barbs or cichlids in with him try getting a pleco or goldfish because a 4 gallon isn't really big enough for a much tropical fish