griffin

i have a heavily planted 15 gallon tank (currently with 5 neons). i have a betta that i would like to add (if it's safe). what are your opinions on whether it would work? is it pointless to even try or is it one of those things that is worth a try? i have a backup plan if it doesn't work out, but don't know if it's even worth trying.

has anyone done this? does it work?

Eskielvr

I added my Betta to my 20 gallon Neon tank, and he immediately started chasing them and I found one dead several hours later. I removed him, but even after he was out of the tank it was just a domino effect and I lost Neon after Neon and had to euthanize some of them. I lost 8 when all was said and done over about a week period, long after the Betta was removed. So, with my experience, no it doesn't work and not a good idea. Everyone I asked told me so and I listened to the one person who said they'd be fine and found out the hard way for myself.

COBettaCouple

i wouldn't advise it.. neons to a betta are like red flags to a bull. and the neons may get in some nips before dying, but they're usually too scared trying to get away.

griffin

good thing i asked. i was thinking that it'd be reasonably workable with a heavily planted tank.

i don't think i'm going to put them together, but i was wondering, what about a neon attracts a betta? i know stuff like large fins and such will attract a betta, but neons don't have those. just curious

Phloxface

Some Bettas will be aggresive towards any fish and some will be fine. Bettas are not quite as active as most other fish and the constant frantic swimming of neons can drive them crazy. In most cases it's the Betta that is in danger of having his long flowing fins nipped constantly by the neons. They find it irresistable.

COBettaCouple

Bettas can find the coloring of the Neons a trigger, just like how phloxface mentioned the long betta fins are a trigger to neons.

griffin

ah, didn't know that. always learning something new

poefox

I keep Ribbon with three bloodfin tetras and they get along fine. But it can depend on the betta. Part of it might have been how many there were or the colour, who knows? Ribbon has kind of come to an understanding with the bloodfins, they stick to their part of the tank, he sticks to his.