betta aggresive?

Question

i have a 20 gallon tank with 2 platys, 3 danios, and a oto algae eater. its heated and filterd with plants and i has a lid. i want to get a betta. i herd that this is ok and that it is not good. HELP please try and straighten me out.

is it ok to add a betta???

Answer 1

Yup, it can get confusing. Those with EXPERIENCE will tell you that you can indeed keep bettas in community tanks, while those that listen to fish stores or myths on the internet will tell you they'll kill everything you put with them. It's true that sometimes a person will end up with an unusually aggressive betta, but this is not the norm, and the betta can always be traded in for another. I've also heard the myth that bettas drown in larger tanks, as if they didn't have gills - silly nonsense.

Betta's are not so aggressive and can be kept in community tanks, but the tank must be planned around them. In your specific tank it's not such a good idea because Danios are a poor mix - they're fast and active and will stress out a betta and possibly n-i-p at his fins. If you want a betta, trade the danio's for a calmer schooling fish like tetras.

The key to choosing good fish for a betta is simple - no fast, active fish, no nipping fish because bettas are calm, slow fish with delicate finnage. Tiger barbs and danios are perfect examples of this. No territorial fish or it will cause fights with the betta over the tank. Gouramis and cichlids are perfect examples of this. Naturally no goldfish - they shouldn't be with tropical fish in the first place. No fish that look like the betta or it can cause mistaken conflict. No other bettas.

DO make sure you keep schooling fish in schools - 6 at least is best. This will ease their stress and prevent the betta from targeting them.

I keep a 15 gallon with 8 cardinal tetras, 3 oto cats, 4 cordora cats, and a betta, who is active and healthy and ignores the rest of the fish. This tank setup is over 3 years old now.

Answer 2

I had a betta in a 10 gallon tank and while once in a while he would get a little fiesty and chase some fish a bit, he never had any real scraps with anyone. However, I would make sure that the platys and danios will not attack the betta due to his finnage, as bettas are actually pretty fragile.

Answer 3

Bettas dont like fish with shiny, colorful, flowy or long fins. Also fish that swim really fast or really slow they may nip their fins off. They like the attention to be on themselves. You could TRY it first like by setting up a betta tank about 5-10 gallons and get that cycled before you do anything like you talk about. The reason is because when you try it it may not work out and you HAVE to take out the betta as the only fix so if it doesnt work out WALLAH you have a fully cycled betta tank ready. If the betta tank is empty you could always keep shrimp, snails, frog, crab, grow plants in this 5-10 gallon tank. :] It makes it easier if you are more prepared this way so you arent fumbling around trying to figure out what in the world to do. If you have any more questions you can email me! good luck :]

Answer 4

Yes, it is fine to have a betta in that set up. You will probably even be slightly understocked. You might want to add a couple more otos since they prefer to be in groups.

Bettas ARE aggressive fish, but most of them are only aggressive towards other bettas or fish that resemble other bettas. You will come across particularly aggressive ones that won't stand to live with anything else, but most of the time, they are very peaceful community fish.

Answer 5

I think it's reasonable to add a betta in your tank. What you should watch out for mostly, that's why people are worried, is the danios. Danios sorta own the surface of the aquarium and the betta is a surface fisha and the danios might nip your betta's fins. You should try and puchase a dividers just incase your danios get aggresive with the betta, you can always put it in the other side of the divider. Unless you don't want the divider, you should just return the betta. It's basically your own choice.

Answer 6

Yes, absolutely yes
you can put a betta in this setup, no problem at all

I personally have my betta with danios and platies, and haven't seen any problems at all

he will puff up his gills once in a while and chase them, but he won't hurt any of your fish

and danios are not fin nippers either

http://www.fishlesscycling.com/articles/caring_for_bettas.html




hope that helps
Good luck



EB

Answer 7

Yeah its fine to add a betta to the mix. Betta will only attack another betta. Other fish are ok. He might chase a couple from time to time but thats just him being playful.

Just keep an eye on that heater, though; betta are picky about water temperture. Try to keep it at room temperture or a bit lower.

Answer 8

It would be fine with the fish you have.
You should have at least 3 more danios.

Answer 9

bettas are aggressive. if u insist on buying one then get a female betta. they are not as aggressive as the male ones.

Answer 10

No, No, No...they are also called Siamese Fighting Fish for a reason. They fight. They fight with anything. Do not but a betta with any other fish, even a female betta. It will fight and most likely kill anything.