Betta & Guppies

I just set up my 38 gallon guppy / koi betta tank. They were in a 20 gallon with the betta sectioned off, upon releasing her with the guppies she of course went after the smaller fry who I boxed and have floating. My koi may have nipped one male guppy (I can't tell cause his tail is always oddly shaped) but in the Koi's defense the guppy tried breeding with her smh. She's very curious though! All the guppies will gather at the bottom picking at something and she'll help herself to check out what they're up to. There's sparse chasing but oddly mostly with the dull colored females, she completely ignores the males ... unless they attempt breeding. It's only been 30 minutes so hopefully this transition and tank will be successful! I know the guppies love the tank they're everywhere and for once not constantly begging for food haha

Have any of you kept a betta in a community tank?

 

Hello, I have kept one once!
Betta is not community aquarium fish.
Otherwise, You have a beautiful betta!

 

Hello, I have kept one once!
Betta is not community aquarium fish.
Otherwise, You have a beautiful betta!

I disagree, I have kept bettas in 10 gallons with cory's, tetras, and shrimp. They can definitely work in a community tank, you just have to do some research. But you generally do not want to keep bettas with guppies, they can see the colorful large tails on the guppies and decided that they are being challenged, and attack the guppies. How ever, some bettas can be kept with guppies, although guppy-friendly bettas are not the most common thing...

 

I've kept ADFs, Otos and Kuhlis with my Betta but I would recommend against guppies as they're fin nippers as are bettas. It's better to keep fish that stick to the bottom of the tank

 

Hello, mate!
actually this is not only my idea, this is Everybody’s idea.
I have kept Fish for years and I personally do Not recommend them for the standard community aquarium. Its care requirements and disposition mean it is best kept alone or with very peaceful species.

Some small cyprinids and loaches that inhabit similar environments in nature are suitable, but proper research prior to purchase is essential and in most cases it is best maintained alone. Species with body shapes or trailing finnage should certainly be avoided, since a male may view these as rivals.

 

I've kept ADFs, Otos and Kuhlis with my Betta but I would recommend against guppies as they're fin nippers as are bettas. It's better to keep fish that stick to the bottom of the tank

Hello!
Guppies are not fin nippers!

 

Hello!
Guppies are not fin nippers!

Really? Some of the sources I've used to research generally recommend not keeping them with other fish that have long flowing fins as they tend to nip :0

I guess it really depends on the individual guppy and it was just words of warning lol

 

Really? Some of the sources I've used to research generally recommend not keeping them with other fish that have long flowing fins as they tend to nip :0

I guess it really depends on the individual guppy and it was just words of warning lol

Guppies may get nipped by other fish but they never nip other fish (I have never seen one nipping others)

A lot of sites are incorrect and give generalized information about the fish behavior, for most all fish.

 

Have any of you kept a betta in a community tank?

I have a male betta with about 15 juvenile guppies in a 20G at the moment because I ran out of space. He was annoyed and flaring the first day and now he is not bothered by them even when they crowd him. It's been working out for for a few months but it's an accident waiting to happen. Other's have done the same and one day the betta just lose's his mind. I've had single female bettas in community long ago and it was fine for years.

 

This Koi is a female. She was sectioned off for a week seeing the guppies / them seeing her. Never flared. She really just minds her own business, the guppies are learning don't try to mate with her and generally stay out of her way. Feeding isn't a problem they all share just fine. I have driftwood, live plants, and 3 foot bamboo across the top offering both shelter for the betta and guppies alike along with a log stuff with Java moss for any fry. Literally got the betta to keep the guppy population down. They say guppies eat their own fry ... but this lot I got do not eat or even chase after their fry.

I don't think I would attempt a guppy betta community tank if the betta was a male — this Koi female came from MoMo Betta's who posts a video of the fish. Instead of flaring or acting aggressive when in the situations they placed her in she was shy and backed away. I liked that personality

 

Guppies aren't fin nippers? Tell that to my sons guppies, its their favorite pastime.