Betta Tank Build??

Hey guys!!

So I’ve fallen in love with bettas, absolutely. I started my first aquarium a couple months ago with a male betta and 5 black neon tetras in a ten gallon. Since then I’ve gotten another 10gal with a female betta and 3 male guppies, and a 20 gallon for the black neons, 3 guppies and a male dwarf gourami. Now the male betta shares his ten gallon with two African dwarf frogs!

So my question is, how can I go about adding another betta boy to the family??? I just love them all so much. I would love to get another male, but are there any other tank mates that could go with him for some more variety?? I don’t think I would want to put more fish, as the 10gal with my current male betta and the neons got pretty crowded as he grew.

And I also was wondering about tank size. I know a 5 gallon tank is fine for a betta, but my current male is in a ten gallon and it seems perfect, he’s really grown and filled it out. Would a ten gallon be better, and would the water conditions stay stabler in a 10 versus a 5? Or would anyone have any build ideas for keeping a male betta in a big community tank? I’d welcome any ideas about adding another tank with a betta thanks!!

 

IMO 5 gallons are a great home for bettas and eventually once its cycled and all and he feels comfortable and you get a hold of his demeanor there is always a possibility of adding a school of nano fish. I have a betta in a 5.5 with an ottocat and 5 ember tetras.. .It's heavily planted and everyone keeps to themselves with an occasional 2 or so second chase between my betta and otto or embers but then again as beautiful as he is he isn't the most majestic swimmer so he gives up quickly against his speedy tank mates

 

Did you move the original 5 black neons to the new 20 gallon tank? I have 7 black neons and they don’t swim. Just hover together. I’m wondering if the group is too small. You might need more than 5 also?

 

Did you move the original 5 black neons to the new 20 gallon tank? I have 7 black neons and they don’t swim. Just hover together. I’m wondering if the group is too small. You might need more than 5 also?

I did and I added another to make 6. They seem to enjoy the extra space and are doing good as far as I can tell!

IMO 5 gallons are a great home for bettas and eventually once its cycled and all and he feels comfortable and you get a hold of his demeanor there is always a possibility of adding a school of nano fish. I have a betta in a 5.5 with an ottocat and 5 ember tetras.. .It's heavily planted and everyone keeps to themselves with an occasional 2 or so second chase between my betta and otto or embers but then again as beautiful as he is he isn't the most majestic swimmer so he gives up quickly against his speedy tank mates

Yeah I might look at a nano school!!

 

I did and I added another to make 6. They seem to enjoy the extra space and are doing good as far as I can tell!

Good deal! Glad to see you putting Bettas in a filtered tank. My daughter always had Bettas and didn’t realize how bad it was to keep them in small bowls until I started researching my aquarium.

 

You really need to watch who you're putting with who. Black Neons enjoy warmer water than Guppies, Guppies enjoy cooler water than Bettas, Dwarf Gouramis like warmer water than Guppies, etc.

As far as adding another male Betta; unless you're ready to start another whole tank, dont. A 5 gallon is fine for a single Betta with no other fish. A 10 is definitely better. Bettas like to swim just as much as any other fish (especially the short finned variety). Ive had them in 75 gallon tanks before with all sorts of other fish no problems. Like I said, just be aware of ideal temps vs. the very vague and expansive "72-84" the pet shop says. If you start loading a tank up with Corys, a Betta, Neons and a Gourami (Gourami and Bettas should never be kept together, btw) you will end up with problems.