JaneAustenAddict

So, I have a 29g tank with some fish in it, and I decided that I will not be replacing the current inhabitants as they pass away. I have been considering putting a betta in the tank once the tank is empty (they seem to be the only fish I can keep alive!), and I was wondering if a 29g tank is too big? I guess I am mainly wondering this because it is a 29g tall, not long, and the betta would need to swim up a decent height to breathe.

So, would it be a poor decision to put a betta in the 29g? Or would it be okay?

Shawnie

I dont think a 29g tall would be good for a betta..unless you have tall plants that reach the top for them to get air .....most of the bettas we get from the dread full cups, do not have the strength needed to do so in such a large tank...IMO it would be too much

MaddieLynn

How tall is the tank? I've seen it not recommended to house a betta in tanks taller than 12", but I have a betta right now in a 29 gallon that's 18" tall. It is a female betta, though. They have an easier time getting to the top than males because they don't have huge fins.

Red1313

Hmmm... I know that for awhile MM had one of her betta's alone in a planted 55. It would depend on the Betta I suppose. One thing that you could do is find a large "platform" to put in one corner so that there would be a "shallower" area there...

enthusiast

i keep my female betta in a 75 gal tank...

fish have the god-given gift of gills & fins & live in ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, & oceans. This world is 3/4 water.

i dont care what they say- i say- you can NEVER have too big!!

fishtroy

I think it might be a bit much for the fighter.
When they are younger I am sure it would love the space and have fun darting around but definitely as it grows older and slows down the trip for air would be a bit much.
I have noticed that they get tired and need their rests when in extra large swimming areas. I like the idea of a platformed shallower area. I guess all you could do is watch what your betta does. If it seems to be struggling or having to get up for air when it has only just reached the bottom then perhaps it would be a bit much for it.

Curious, if you are a JaneAustenAddict are your fish going to be a Mr Darcy or Elizabeth Bennet?

JaneAustenAddict

It depends entirely on the bettas personality. What if he acts more like a Mr. Wickham?

iloveengl

Then you would have one naughty fish!

ags2083

I have had a male betta in a 25 gallon tank for about 6 months now. It is 22 inches deep. I do have lots of taller plants in it in case he needs to rest, but I very rarely see him just setting on them. He spends just about the entire day swimming around. I love watching him because he swims back and forth all over the tank. Before he was in a 10 gallon but the larger tank stays much cleaner with less effort so I put him in there. So far no problems.

Meenu

I love the platform idea.

sirdarksol

Particularly as they get older, bettas will have problems getting to the surface of a particularly deep tank, and will slowly drown.
However, with plants, a platform, or something of the sort, a betta would likely do fine in such a tank.

Martinismommy

Will my sweet old man lived in a 55 gallon for a couple of years....My 55 now houses my grow out babies......They do fine.....If I were to say the ideal tank size for 1 single betta it would be a 5 gallon....

fishtroy

Then buy a female, name it Lydia and breed babies! LOL

temptryst

I had a Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett pair of hermit crabs once... Mr. Darcy ate Elizabeth.


As far as the 29 gallon, I keep a sorority of females in my 28 gallon and they do just fine. I'm not sure about males. Females are more fun than males anyways :P

COBettaCouple

I look at tanks for height and the horizontal run.. bettas are horizontal swimmers so they like a nice long run and about a foot or so for water depth is what we keep our bettas in.