Sharkitty

I have some adorable but nippy serpae tetras in a 2.5 gallon tank that you all have convinced me to trade in for one betta.

But before we get to bettas, could I get a few of the smallest danios out there? Pretty please? No? Okay . . .

There is a surplus of bettas around, of course, I'm just wondering if the frayed fins (that look alternately long and short with every ribbing) will heal and if there is any way to tell if they are younger than older?

THANKS!

MeGustaUnaPez926

If your asking if you can put danios in with a betta I say no.
Betta fins can heal, with some stresscoat+ and maybe Maracyn for advanced cases.
I'm not an expert on betta age, but I think the smaller ones are youngest.

Lucy

Oh, some lucky Betta will be getting a wonderful home. You're right, the danios are out. 2.5g is the minimum for a lone betta. Besides, most like it like that. This way they command your attention. lol

There are several types of Bettas some are supposed to look the way you describe.
I'm not up up the identifying them. Some where in the forum archives is a thread with links to the different type. If you do a google search, you'll find them.

Younger Bettas are small, maybe an inch in the stores and their fins aren't as well developed as older Bettas.
Frayed fins will heal in a warm cycled tank with some extra stress coat and couple of drops of garlic juice to help their immune system.

Have fun Betta shopping. The perfect betta will find you.

Sharkitty

Thanks. Can I keep my pleco?

Lucy

IMO, There's not really enough room in a 2.5 for a betta and a pleco.
What kind of pleco?

Sharkitty

Honestly, I don't know. He's about two inches, nose to end of tail, and the fish store guy (who had a PhD in fish, apparently) told me he wouldn't get very big (which is why he cost $11).

Lucy

He has a PhD is fish and told you a pleco could live in a 2.5g tank? Is it full grown at 2"?
Can you post a pic of it? Maybe someone can ID it for you.

Sharkitty

Yeah, I know! PhD and dumb advice - that's why I'm asking here from now on! I will take a photo with my phone and post it tonight - but I will probably just take him back. He's not much fun, so if you think the betta would be better off alone I have no problem with that.

Lucy

If you could take it back, that would be great. Common pleco's get huge they need 55+g's.
Betta's are such personable fish. Look them over the one that wants you will connect with you. It's pretty cool!

Sharkitty

I'm excited. I've had bettas before, but never in a proper tropical fish tank. I look forward to having a buddy.

Lucy

Me too! I can't wait to meet him/her. Make sure you post some pics and give your new baby a proper introduction.

Amanda

The fins you're describing on the betta sounds like a crowntail. If so, they're supposed to look like that.

Sharkitty

Thanks to all.

Good to hear that Amanda - I like them, but was afraid the ones I saw were just terribly sick. Yay!

agabr123

if the bettas are living in the cups then they'll grow quite a bit from when you get them. if you click on the "before and after" link in my signature then you can see how one of my betta boys that i got from wal mart grew