Betta Splendens Tank Ideas (help Please)

Hi!

I've recently been planning on making a small/medium (20 gal or 30 gal) blackwater-style aquarium for my male mustard gas (labeled as a "paradise betta" at Petco) Siamese Fighting Fish. His current aquarium, which is about 2.5 gallons or more, is definitely too small for him, and I think that a larger, more naturalistic aquarium would suit him better. I'm definitely going to include fallen oak leaves (pesticide free, don't worry) and mopanI wood, but I'm not sure if I should include any tank mates or specific plants.

I have some ideas for tank mates:
Tetras (any sort)
Corydoras (the more heat tolerant species)
Plecostomus (smaller species & acidic water tolerant)

Marimo Algae
Practically any sort of aquatic plant that doesn't grow too fast and is available in my area

Still though, there are a few fish that I'd like to add. I'm not exactly sure if they would fare well with my betta, so I'd like to ask about them here.
1. Would German Rams be safe with my Betta? I just have a feeling that their long fins and colorful appearance could trigger aggressive/territorial behavior in my male.
2. In a larger & heavily planted aquarium, would female bettas be safe with my male?
3. Would the more brightly colored tetras trigger aggressive responses in Betta?

Thanks!

 

I think the females would not work. 20 gallons is not big enough for a male and female and not big enough for a betta sorority (my opinion) I think cories would work well, maybe 4 or 5. Would you get a 20 tall or 20 long or 29?

 

Probably a 20 gal long.

Thanks for the fast reply! I had a feeling that the male/female mix wouldn't work (when I was a newbie, I got one of those terrible divider tanks, with a male and female on either side. The male somehow pushed his way under and mated with the female. They had an excellent clutch, but the female eventually got stressed when the male repeatedly slipped under and chased her around).

 

they tell me no german rams with my bettas. Lol don't know why. I agree to have a male with females you need a much larger tank trust me on that one. I aimed for slow swimming, duller colored tetras. I have glowlights with mine. Temp compatable cories are ok as well.

 

Thanks!

 

No female bettas, no rams, but temperature appropriate corys could work. Although, another super cute bottom feeder that would work well with a male betta are kuhlI loaches, they're such goofy little guys! Tetra wise, you could go with black neons, silver tips, cardinals, bloodfins, and rummynoses. You could also take a look a some types of Rasboras too, like harlequins, neon greens, chili's, etc.

 

I LOVE Kuhlis!

Seems like my plans of the 20 gallon have been delayed yet again. My betta has developed a case of fin rot, and I'm going to try and treat it before I do anything with him.

 

I LOVE Kuhlis!

Seems like my plans of the 20 gallon have been delayed yet again. My betta has developed a case of fin rot, and I'm going to try and treat it before I do anything with him.

I recommend trimethoprI'm for the fin rot if clean water doesn’t cure it. I also recommend some IAL for the black water look as well as some anubias, buces and slow growing mosses.

 

Ok, thanks!
My beta's fin rot has spread surprisingly fast. His affected fin is almost fully split now. I'm going to do a 75% water change, maybe with a little bit of tap to help fight the fungus. I just realized that my aquarium wasn't fully cycled, so that may be a part of the problem.