I have a male in 45 gal. tank with a sand/gravel mix bottom, large lace stone wall, sparse fake ferns, bubble wall backdrop, and water fall filter. The little guy seems to love his home but I would like to add two more fish maximum. Ideally I would was hoping for a recordation of a similar bread (long fins, colorful display), however, any suggestions would be appreciated.
2007-07-05 03:42:58 · 11 answers · asked by ROCKET 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
Ninja has the right idea but...
Be careful adding new fish, if he's had that tank to himself all this time. Sometimes with bettas if they are used to being alone, introducing a new friend is very stressful to them. Introduce some harmless fish, like a corycat or pleco first. Make sure he's okay with them. Then, when you get more beautiful fish in the tank, watch him again, and make sure he's still cool with it. Keep any receipts when you get any new fish, and whenever you feel he's threatening a new tankmate, you can take the new one back. You don't want to risk the life of your new purchase, just to make him happy.
I would suggest a catfish first, mainly a cory cat. Corys can be the best companion and friend for a betta. I've heard of betta/corycat bonds being very strong; wherever the betta was, the cat was right there with him. A pleco would be a great addition to your tank also. It would help out with alge control, and wouldn't even phase your betta that he's even there! Those are the two kinds of fish that every (large enough) tank should have!!!
Okay, on to compatibility. NO long finned fish! He WILL kill them, thinking it's another male betta!!! Avoid fin-nippers like barbs, cichilids, gouramis sharks, or certain kinds of tetras. Gouramis aren't a good idea, since that's the betta's cousin, and with male bettas, they feel a gourami is a threat. (My female bettas have no problems with my gouramis though.) Also, you can't throw goldfish in your tank - they are nasty cold water fish, and if they don't destroy your betta and tank, the betta will destroy the goldfish!
Your tank sounds like a wonderful home for more than just 3 fish! Get you a zippy school of neons, zebras, white clouds, glolight tetras, or whatever you choose. They make a great (and fun to watch!) schooler fish, so long as you've got at least 4. They're fast, so watch your betta and make sure he's okay with them.
Good luck on your decision! Always keep your betta's needs in mind first and foremost. He's the master of the tank now, and will NOT stand down as king!!! Always ask lots of questions when you go to purchase new fish to add in with him. Make sure to do your research on any specific breeds you definately want, to make sure they aren't going to harm your lil man!
I hope this helps ya out!
;o)
2007-07-05 04:17:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ninja did a good job of answering the question. Yes you can put betta's in a tank with other fish so long as the other fish do not resemble another Betta. Fancy Guppies would not go well with a betta because of their long finage.
I have kept several betta's (not together) in a couple of different community tanks.
In one tank I had a Red Male Betta in with Platy's and Sailfin Mollies, and corycats. These fish all get along fine together.
In another community tank I had a Male Betta in with 2 Blue Gouramis, 1 Gold Gouramis, and 2 Dwarf Gouramis, which are all very colorful fish. All of the fish did really well together, but once I got a Male Paradise Gouramis too, I started to have issue's with the paradise and the betta fighting, so I had too seperate them. So no paradise gouramis as they have the same kind of temperment as a Betta and have the longer fines too.
I hope this helps you decide what kind of fish too add too your tank!
2007-07-05 11:19:51 · answer #2 · answered by meah B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can forget about long fins most bettas will go after fish with long fins because they think its another betta. Thats also why you can put a betta and a goldfish in the same tank because the betta will go after the goldfishes fins. I have a male betta in my tank with 7 neon tetras, a small pleco, and 3 spotted corydora catfish. Everyone gets a long just fine and its very peacful. There is never any fighting in the tank every. Also my betta gets along really well with the corys, they swim with each other and tings like that. If you want color you could look into getting some mollies but I would definetly suggest corys since along with being cute and energetic they clean the stones in your tank! You'll have to take your betta into account though he may be aggressive(I'm assuming you never put him in with other fish) so you might have to either get the tank a divider or put him in his own tank if they do not get along. My betta is very peacful and gets along with everyone but I know some people who have tried putting bettas in with peacful community fish and it just didn't work. Also stay away from angel fish, they generally only get along with other angel fish and they are mean! I had an angel fish that I had to give away because he chased the betta and and ripped his fins which led to fin rot. I hope you pick some very pretty fish!!
Also jifr is wrong. A male betta will kill a female betta after they breed. If you want to add a school of female bettas your going to have to take the male out after they breed because the male will kill them and eat the babies.
2007-07-05 11:15:37 · answer #3 · answered by Visio 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Unfortunately, you cannot keep colourful fish with flowing fins alongside a betta. The betta will mistake it for another male betta and there will be trouble.
In fact, when choosing tankmates for a betta, the most important rule is to make sure you choose fish that do NOT have bright colours or long fins. Cory catfish, platys, plecos or schooling fish like white mountain cloud minnows will do great as betta tankmates. Frogs like African Dwarf Frogs or snails will also do well.
It is NOT true that bettas will kill any other fish in their tanks. Bettas will only be aggressive towards other bettas (male or female) or fish who they mistake for other bettas. Otherwise, they make very peaceful community fish.
2007-07-05 10:46:55 · answer #4 · answered by ninjaaa! 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Cory Cats and platies work well with them. Tetras do too.
Do not listen to anybody who says that bettas cannot be kept w/ other fish.
2007-07-05 11:18:57 · answer #5 · answered by abnm 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi there:
Unfortunately, Bettas will not do well with any other long finned/colorful fish. They like to be the only pretty/attractive thing around. They will attack/fight with any fish they feel is a threat to their "manhood". lol.
You might want to try some female bettas? I know they are not as attactive but at least you'll have more fish that the male will not try to kill.
Goodluck!
~jifr!
2007-07-05 11:03:39 · answer #6 · answered by Jifr 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Most fish will either be eaten by the betta or else they will just get in a big fight..
But, I had a betta in a tank alone. And I had a tank of guppies with a cleaner fish. All my guppies died and it was getting to be alot of work to clean 2 tanks for only 2 fish.
So I put them together...and they're doing fine!
(but most fish wouldn't do well with a betta)
2007-07-05 11:50:01 · answer #7 · answered by Crouton 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Thank you ninja, I couldn't have said it better myself!!! I wish I could give you 10 thumbs up for that because it makes me sick to my stomach how many people jump in and use crap petstore morons give saying you have to put that Betta by himself because they just happen to keep them in little bowls. You have the best answer by far!!
JV
2007-07-05 10:50:15 · answer #8 · answered by I am Legend 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Platties, swordtails,neon tetras.
2007-07-08 04:53:31 · answer #9 · answered by Klingon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Betta's don't live peacefully with any other fish.
2007-07-05 10:47:27 · answer #10 · answered by kat 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋