Siamese Fighting Fish/ Betta?

Question

I have a tropical tank with:
2x Mollys
2x Platys
2x silverfin tetras
2x phantom tetras
1 x gibbicep plec
1 x fantail goldfish (I know he shouldnt be in there, its not a heated tank, just the temperature the water naturally is is about 24 degrees)

I would really like a betta, the petshop told me its best not to as it would attack and kill anything with a big tail - my goldfish and plec. I was wondering if it was just the males that would do this or if it was both sexes, the pet shop didnt know.

Thanks.

Further details regarding the goldfish - It has been in the communal take for about a year, and all the fish are absolutely fine and have never been ill or shown any signs of stress, I check water quality (PH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) every week and have no problems.

Answer 1

You would be just fine adding either a male or female betta in your tank assuming it's a pretty fair sized tank. For the fish you outline in adult size I would suggest a 30 gallon tank personally.

MM

Answer 2

I think the female would be fine but the male Fighting fish will attack anything that remotely looks like another male. Long-finned or tailed fish being the most likely targets. I've even known them bang their heads against the glass because they could see their own reflection.
your gold-fish shouldn't be in a tank with other fish, especially if it's a small tank. Nothing to do with the temperature though.
Gold-fish produce a lot of waste! about 3 times the amount of a similar sized tropical species. As they also tend to eat plants they make keeping algae growth and the water quality under control very difficult .Plus if looked after properly grow large enough to eat any smaller fish that they can fit in their mouths! Try this web-site, the fish data base and the community creator it provides should give you any info you need and the forum is a great place to get lots of advice!
http://www.thinkfish.co.uk

Answer 3

glad you're doing your research to provide a good home for your fish, but next time do it BEFORE you get the fish (or any animal) so you're prepared :) anyway... Their diet - they're insectivores, so stick with betta pellets as a staple. 4-6 a day should be fine (either split it up into two meals or all at once). it's good to skip a day once a week and you might want to get some freeze dried blood worms or brine shrimp for a treat once a week. Water temperature - IDEAL is 78*F to 82*F, for a thriving fish you should never let the water fall below 75*F for an extended period of time. room temperature is NOT fine unless you keep your house very warm. How big the tank should be - at least 2gallons, this is the smallest size heaters are made for. and of course bigger is always better (they do NOT live in puddles and do NOT like small spaces better) so get the biggest tank you can. filters make your job easier because they eliminate the need for 100% water changes. if you don't have a filter do 100% water changes once a week. Safe decorations or pebbles - any pebbles will do as long as they're not super jagged, I love the way sand looks but it's all personal preference. for decor just stick with things that don't have jagged edges or poky things. silk or real plants are good. java fern is a favorite for bettas. heaters - for tanks 2g to 4g use a 7.5watt, 4g-7g 25watt, 7g-10g 50watt. tankmates - unless your tank is at least 5g, stick with snails as tankmates. 5g to 7g you can have a few bottom dwellers like cory cats or kuhli loaches. larger than that some tetras would work too. hope that helps, feel free to email me if you have any more questions :)

Answer 4

Although the betta will probably be okay with your fish as far as getting along, the tank is too cold for him, and as you know, too warm for your goldfish. If you could move the goldfish to his own unheated tank, buy a heater for the community and bump it up just 3 degrees or so, a betta would do better in there. Also, depending on the size of the tank, you should consider getting more of the tetras since they will be more active if kept in schools of 6 or more. They might even be too nippy for a betta since their social needs aren't being met without sufficient numbers.

Answer 5

A male Siamese Fighter would be fine with all the fish you've listed ... as would females. You can put males and females together but make sure you have at least 2 0r 3 females in the tank with 1 male. Don't be put off by the name ... they're not an agressive fish.

Answer 6

The males are the aggressive ones. Yes, they will kill anything with long flowing fins or tails, they think it's another Betta. If you want to put him in there, use a clear divider. it's not very noticeable, available at most larger fish shops, and will keep him in the same tank without harming your other fish. I have mine in large decorative glass bowls, they make a lovely accent piece, living art! Good luck!

Answer 7

i had a lot of the same fish in my tank and got a male betta after a while i noticed my other fish were lossing bits of their fins and actually dying from the stress i really don't advise. if u really wanna get one i'd mayb try a female cos they'r smaller so the other fish wont b as threatened

Answer 8

to get the best out of these lovely fish
keep them in a species tank

1 male with 6 or so wives, he will harass fewer.

but this will get him to display in the way that nature intended.

these fish will attack anything with a decent tail or fins as he will see it as another male to drive off.

i have 1 male and 12 females in a planted unheated, but filtered tank
2feet by 1 feet

feed flake, blood wroms, dapne, etc

Answer 9

Hi,gold fish can live outside in ponds or in tanks, they are quite hardy fish really. He will be fine in your tank.
I think the females fighting fish are fine with other fish, they are also fine with other female fighting fish, its the males that you have to watch, they will attack and kill other fish.

Answer 10

Nooooo your breaking all the rules of fish keeping...you do not put goldfish with tropical fish.