Gouramiguy17

I got a female betta at petco today(a guilt impulse buy) and after i acclimated her i put her in a breeder box in my 55 gallon tank to see if she would try to fight my other fish but she didn't. Would it be safe to release her? She is smaller than my guppys so she is quite young but would she attack my other fish as she got older? The breeder box is big and i put some gravel stuff and some java moss hornwort and wisteria in there. she doesn't go after the snails(unlike my male).

Lucy

I wouldn't especially with gourami's in your tank. They're too closely related and will fight.
You don't have guppies listed in your aquarium info.
Feeding can also be an issue.
Bettas usually do better in smaller tanks, at least 5g's and most don't make good community fish. Either their tails are too irresistible to the other fish or she could get aggressive with them.
Personally, I'd never risk it.

Tony G.

i agree with lucy, its not worth risking the fish

Gouramiguy17

Now can I put the betta in , I just sold my gouramis. I have about 6 guppies. Btw I just sold 20 guppy fry for 9 dollars, good deal for me or what?

Tony G.

why did you sell your gouramis! your gouramiguy! oh well..
IMO the 55g is not appropriate for a betta, since it is to deep and they struggle to swim to the surface

rebeccmh

Yea, I agree with Tony...bettas need more width than height and since they aren't great swimmers because of their long fins getting to the surface is difficult for them in such a big tank. I would get her either her own 5g or even a 10g.....which can always be divided so you can get another

Lucy

I'm not a big fan of bettas in a community tank. Most bettas won't tolerate tank mates and do perfectly well on their own.
Although I've seen it work for a little while, most times someone ends up hurt or dead.
Someone will say he's fine, he hides in his cave and doesn't bother anyone but Bettas won't normally hide unless their stressed.
If you really want a Betta, please consider at least 5g's and watch their personality shine!

MiniMeg

On the contrary to what others have said I have found that a betta can thrive in a 55g comunitee tank. As long as the fish aren't too nipy, I have mine in with mollies. platies, glass fish, a dwarf gourami and a small crayfish, they have all been together for over 4 months now and no one has gotten hurt, not tail biting nothing.

My betta loves his freedom and love swiming back and forth along the entire length of the tank at times, and has never caused trouble with his tank mates.

As for the 55g being too deep as long as they have something to rest on near the surface like a heater or a tall plant it should be fine.

Lucy

You have a crayfish in with your fish and he hasn't eaten anything yet?
Wow, best of luck, I hope it continues to work for you.

rileyrk190

I second this. Although i do agree that in a lot of cases it may not work. It truly depends on your livestock and the personality of your betta (guppys are quite nippy. I had a male in my 55g community for almost two years. I gave him a floating tube though that he could stay in close to the surface. It was the healthiest and most active i had ever seen him.

bolivianbaby

I agree with Lucy, Tony, and Rebeccmh. It's just not worth the risk.

You can get a 5 gallon aquarium kit that works perfect for bettas for $30 at Wal-Mart or check Craigslist. There's usually someone selling them for cheap.

Amanda

I have a female in my 55 gal.community & she THRIVES! She loves it, I will always have a female in all future community tanks. They love the extra room.

Lucy

As we can see there are differing opinions about Betta's in community tanks.
If anyone were to try it, remember it depends on the temperment of each individual fish.
Always have a back up plan in case something doesn't work out.

Red1313

I think one thing to maybe consider is that the females available in chain stores are usually a lot younger then the males and so haven't been isolated as long so can learn to get along in a community tank. However temperament is a big consideration. I've got a female in my 20 gal right now and she is behaving beautifully. I also have a female that I'll never but in a tank with other fish because she's vicious even with just her own reflection.

MiniMeg

As someone else pointed out it all depends on the personality of the fish/livestock. My crayfish is more amused with climbing decorations and the walls to notice the fish much, and my betta has never been happier.