au01st

I've never really liked bettas, but I guess that's because the ones in the stores look so sad. But after seeing all of yalls pictures, I see how pretty they can look. Now that I have my 55 up and running, I'm going to put a betta in my 10gallon. Right now there are 2 Ottos and 3 Cories in there, with a bamboo shrimp. Will these guys be okay, or what? The Cories are going in the 55 as soon as it's setup (already ordered my driftwood and another large piece, as well as plants. Right now the only plant in the 10gallon is a piece of bamboo that came free with the shrimp (I tried letting it sit with the leaves out of the water and it started dying immediately, put it back in, and it's tarted regrowing, but it will be coming out soon as my plants arrive). There are plenty of rocks and places to hide. I just want to make sure he won't kill the Cories or the shrimp.

I guess I'll be picking him up this afternoon.

Also, what are the common varieties found in fish stores and what in particular should I look for?

luna

Get whoever looks cute and healthy. Have you checked your decor and rocks to make sure there aren't any sharp/jagged edges a betta could snag his/her fins on?

As for tankmates, people have had some luck with otos/cories...but bettas are shrimp-eaters from what I've heard. You can always try a betta with them and see how it goes...assuming you can move them to your 55 if it doesn't, so you'll want it to be cycled and ready for fish in case you get a betta that doesn't want to share (many don't).

Something else of note...do you have a quarantine tank? You don't wanna dump a strange fish into a tank with other fishies right away, just in case...they've been having a lot of problems around here with disease, partially because of a lack of quarantine protocol.

Devon

First, congrats on your decision to become a betta owner!! You won't be sorry that you did.

Some people have had some luck keeping corydoras and bettas together -- male bettas tend to prefer to be alone, but if the cories are in the tank before them, then there is a chance they will get along alright (since the betta doesn't feel the opportunity to be as territorial). The betta will probably eat your shrimps, sorry. :/

Best of luck!!

chickadee

I do agree with the quarantine protocol right now especially since the iridovirus has been going around with Labyrinth organ fish. I also cannot see anything wrong for the most part with the fish but the shrimp may have a problem. You see, shrimp is the first food for the bettas, and they do okay except for the time when they molt then the betta generally makes them dinner and they disappear. So if possible is there a way of moving the shrimp? I am afraid for him otherwise.

Rose

Martinismommy

The fish stores are starting to carry most all varieties of Bettas these day....It all depends on the look you like....My personal experience has shown that the Crowntail bettas seem to have less problems....Somone else may disagree but this has been my experience.....

Good luck picking him out! Make sure and post photos when he gets settled in....

P.S. Get the shrimp out of the tank or he'll be MIA.....

au01st

Well the 10 was going to be the quarantine tank, lol. But it seemed a waste just sitting there. I guess I can move the rest of the guys to the big one already (got it with filters, substrate, and water, so no cycling, all readings are good). No, there is nothing sharp in the tank. Sharpest thing would be the edge of the filter sticking into the water.

au01st

The shrimp is about 3 1/2" long, if that matters. He just molted Thursday, but I can move him right away. I can also move the Cories, no problem. How about the Ottos?

Lucy

Congrats on getting a betta. As far as choosing one, I'm not sure you have that option. It'll choose you, infact you won't be able to resist it's calling. (You might think it was your idea, but it wasn't )

You'll love the personality they'll show in a larger tank, quite different from those little cups.

I know some people on the forum have ottos with betta's, the same applys, have the ottos in the tank first to try and avoid territorial issues. Most say it depends on the betta's personality.
My betta is in a 10g by herself, so I don't have personal experience.

Good luck and post some pics when you get it.

chickadee

The Cories and the Otos will be okay but a bit crowded in a 10 gallon. You can have 3 cories and a betta or 4 otos and a betta in a 10 gallon but not all of them without risking a tempermental betta due to being overcrowded.

Rose

COBettaCouple

You'll love having a Betta. They really enjoy interacting with us and have such characters!

T3Knical5urg3

The bamboo shrimp sould be fine as in the betta wont attack him. On the other hand he should go into the other tank because if i remember correctly A. they get to be like 9" ;ong and B. they need a strong current and bettas need little current

0morrokh

No I think 5-6" max. You are right that they like a current somewhere to filter out food.

I would not risk putting bamboo shrimp with a betta unless you know the betta is very docile and won't bother other creatures.