15gal...what would go good with a betta???

I have a 15gal, not set up yet. I was thinkin of going with either 1 male betta or like 3 or 4 females. What other fish would work. I know I would have some cory's and maybe a ghost shrimp. Not sure what else. Any Idea's??

 

I think the Cories sound like fun and I am sure that a betta and some cories will make a great tank. It is hard to come up with many tank mates for bettas as the usual ones are limited to the ones who are mistaken by the betta for another betta (platies, mollies, gouramis, angels, guppies, rasboras, danios, swordtails and any other fish with longish fins) so they are all NO-NO's and those that mistake the betta for a nice nippy snack (tetras, guppies, gouramis, sharks, and barbs) which are a NO-NO at the other end of the scale.

That pretty much leaves - Cories and Otos and Snails. Anyone else have any ideas. I hope this is helpful. I know I must sound awfully pessimistic but the above species are just not for a betta tank.

Rose

 

Ghost Shrimp I have found are no no's as bettas tend to think they are a nice snack or a nice creature to kill for fun. I actually found guppies are ok so are angel's but I think that was because I gave my betta a little sanctuary more or less for him and the other fish stayed away from it. HOWEVER that was an EXCEPTION chickadee is right that 99% of the time they don't mix. Plecos are good.

 

What about a Cichlid? They tend to stay to the bottom as the Betta's tend to stay to the top. I saw a really nice clowntail Betta I'm dying to get. I was thinking of make a cave out and a PVC pipe for the Cichlid and have a nice hanging plants at the top for the Betta/Bettas. If this doesn't work, let me know. Thanks

 

Check out this chart:



I believe it specifies that all species of Cichlids are a definite No on the compatibility. We just have to face the fact that the Betta is socially stunted and does not do well with other fish. If you are looking for a community tank then perhaps a Betta is not your best choice. A Betta is pretty much of a loner and it is not his fault. Just accept the fact that you are going to have to be his best buddy if you buy him and perhaps have some small tank mates that are not the most spectacularly showy of fish but peaceful quiet little shoaling fish who will help to keep your tank clean.

Rose

 

What about an African Dwarf Frog? (NOT the clawed type.) Or even two of them? Floyd, my Betta, is enthralled with his ADF tank-mate. He doesn't chase him or nip at him, but likes to watch him swim around. Every now and then he will even let a piece of food fall to the bottom of the tank (or knock it around until it falls) and watch the frog chase and eat it. Pretty amazing, when you consider how greedy Bettas are when it comes to food! Of course, he's probably learned that after he does this I'll give him another bit of food......
Floyd is spoiled.......... I'm thinking of getting him a 10 gallon. But then what in the world would I do with his old one??

S.

 

Check out this chart:



I believe it specifies that all species of Cichlids are a definite No on the compatibility.  We just have to face the fact that the Betta is socially stunted and does not do well with other fish.  If you are looking for a community tank then perhaps a Betta is not your best choice.  A Betta is pretty much of a loner and it is not his fault.  Just accept the fact that you are going to have to be his best buddy if you buy him and perhaps have some small tank mates that are not the most spectacularly showy of fish but peaceful quiet little shoaling fish who will help to keep your tank clean.

Rose

I dunno if I believe that, it says that Betta's can live with Danio's and Guppies. I'm so confused. :-\

 

Mine gets along fine with the two ADFs in his tank.

 

Yea, but no froggies for me. I think their ugly, besides, my wife would be really grossed out. So, I'm still so confused.

 

You can't really trust compatibility charts. Guppies and Danios do not mix with Bettas. Cichlids are WAY too aggressive and anyway they are colorful and have longer fins and could be mistaken for another Betta. I would stick to catfish and maybe a snail if you want one.

 

I was using the chart to let you see the information about Cichlids. There is no way that guppies, danios, platies, swordfish and gouramis go with bettas. Please do not take it for granted that because some bettas get along with some of the non-recommended fish that it means that they will all do so. Bettas are ALL different If you choose to try one of the "iffy" species, please have a back-up tank just in case of a disaster.

Rose

 

Here's a link that could help...I've been looking to find something to put I my 2 10 gallon betta tanks.

 

BTW, having several female bettas in the same tank is a recipie for disaster. Would strongly recommend you do not go that route.

 

If you really want to get a Betta, and you want him to have tank mates I would only stick with Oto cats and cory cats.They're the only ones that the Betta will get along with. If you do decide to get tank mates for him you will need to get them first before you get the Betta. Bettas are very territorial fish. Good luck.

 

I built a heavy planted 29 gallon for a friend, that housed a male beta, 6 juliI corries and 6 amano shrimp (I used 6 of my mature shrimp as I was worried the betta would snack down on juvies) I ran a spray bar at the bottom of the tank so the corries had some movement but the betta had nice calm water for his domain. And everything got along fantastic, but with betas I think it really depends on the fish as they have a lot of personality and can differ a lot from fish to fish. I owned one about 4 years ago that you could not home with anything, it was his tank period.

But corries are always a pretty safe bet, and they seem to get along very well. And yes with a earlier poster, ghosties would end up being a very tasty tankmate for a betta hehe, good sized amanos I have never had a problem with though. I shouldn't have posted here though, as I am now getting the bug to set up a betta corrie tank hehe (been along time since I have had a beta)