Betta tank size?

Would a betta fish be okay in a tank that is probably right around 3 gallons? I would want quite a few shrimp and a snail in there too. Would this work?

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A 3 gal should work fine if it's heated and filtered.

What kind of shrimp? Be careful, some bettas eat shrimp!

 

You may have more success keeping a betta and shrimp together in a larger tank so that the betta is more occupied and you can provide more hiding places for the shrimp.

 

I was thinking of getting some ghost shrimp since they are larger and cheaper lol. How many shrimp could I get?

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3-5 would be a good number

 

3 gallons is often the min size I see quoted for Bettas, so that should work okay. I have noticed a lot more activity from mine in the 10 gallon. He claims the space with ferocity.

Small shrimp have a super small bioloads, so you should be fine adding a few. I do second the warning about them being eaten. Mine is in a 10 gallon with Neos, and I think I have 1/10 shrimp left.

I have seen some snail varieties listed as having more of a loading impact -- such as large mystery snails, so that'd be something to consider when picking them out.

Good luck! (P.s. you should post a pic of your betta )

 

If you're getting shrimp with the Betta in that sized aquarium you should use lots of plants(real or fake; preferably real) so the shrimp have a place to hide.

 

Does anybody have a suggestion on a small snail with a small bioload that comes in nice colors? Well once I get my betta I will post pictures! Thank you for all of your help!

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Would it be better to put the shrimp in before or after the betta to prevent them getting eaten?

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You could do one of the pea-sized nerites?

I'd add the shrimp in first so they have the opportunity to hide before the betta sees them.

 

I have personally heard that betas will eat shrimp unless it is heavily planted and a larger tank. Additionally, snails (such as brigs or mystery snails) need 2.5g per snail. I would recommend 5 gallon and heavily planted. Brigs snails don't eat live plants so that should work

 

What are brigs snails?

1-2 small nerites will be fine in a 3 gal. They're not much bigger than a pea.

Depends on the betta and depends on the shrimp species. Ghosts are bigger, which is why we recommended to try them. My ghosts are almost half the length of my plakat betta, so they and Amanos (another bigger species) have a much better chance the than the small dwarf shrimp species.

 

Alright so I'll try the nerite snails. And I guess I could use my 5 gallon aquarium

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What size tank for one male betta? Also am I able to put a mystery snail in with a male betta?

 

minimum is 3 gallons, more than that is highly recommended.

 

People say 2.5 is the minimum but honestly, it should be 5 at the very least. 10 would be ideal. Male bettas get a lot larger than what people will say. All my long lived bettas have been larger than the "max" size people tell you.

 

So a ten would work fine? also could a mystery be put in with him?

 

So a ten would work fine? also could a mystery be put in with him?

A 10 is perfect Yes one could, just make sure you cycle your tank and stay on top of your water changes.

 

a ten would be great and yes a mystery can go in

 

Ok great thx!

 

FYI A betta won't produce enough waste to cycle a 10 gallon tank. Especially if you have even a few live plants.

You should be able to add your betta and snail when you set up the tank.

 

A 2.5 is the bare minimum for bettas; the larger the better. And yes, a betta and a mystery snail can live in a 10 gallon. But watch the betta's temperament for a few days because there is a chance that it can hurt the snail.

 

A 2.5 is the bare minimum for bettas; the larger the better. And yes, a betta and a mystery snail can live in a 10 gallon. But watch the betta's temperament for a few days because there is a chance that it can hurt the snail.

The snails learn pretty quickly to keep their feelers inside their shell. I've never had a betta kill a mystery snail. Had puffers do it, but not a betta.

 

The snails learn pretty quickly to keep their feelers inside their shell. I've never had a betta kill a mystery snail. Had puffers do it, but not a betta.

It can happen. It just depends on the betta's temperament. There was a member on here that tried it out but it didn't go as planned.

 

Generally, one mystery needs 2.5 gallons to themselves, so if your Betta he's along with the snail, you can add a couple more. (That said, a 2.5 tank is a little small for one mystery IME).

Also, I agree that one Betta isn't enough bioload to cycle a 10g... but adding a couple mystery snails will get your cycle going (again, in my experience)

 

Hello folks! I've been doing research to set up a female betta tank (singular, this will not be a sorority). At most I would also include a nerite or mystery snail in this tank. I've seen a lot of sites that contradict one another with the best tank sizes. I do want this to be the smallest tank possible that would also be comfortable for a female betta. I know smaller tanks are more difficult to keep but I am experienced and ready for that challenge, I just want to ensure the betta has the appropriate amount of space. I've seen the fishlore site for these guys and it says a 2 gallon is fine but bigger is better, which isn't really a definitive answer (haha). So does this mean a 2.5 is suitable, or they would only thrive in a 5 or 10 gallon? Let me know your own experiences and what has worked well for you!

 

I’m a newbie but I would say 5-10. A lot of people say Bettas like small spaces but really it’s not that they like them, but that they can survive in them. My betta is in 30 g and is delighted so I feel I have debunked the ‘ bettas don’t like small tanks’ myth. If you have fun stuff like a floating log and a real or fake plant your betta will be happy in 5-10. My opinion for what it’s worth. My opinion might be an outlier.

 

I personally don't like 2.5 gallons for bettas since they're so hard to keep a cycle in. Plus, enrichment is more difficult since there's less space for hides and plants and whatnot. I'd go with a 5.5 unless you're adamant about having the smallest tank possible.

 

I don't have much experience (actually I'm new) but I'd say maybe a 5 gallon. But no less

 

My opinion is minimum 5 gallon. A 10 gallon is better for a female, because there more active then there male counterpart.

 

I’m a newbie but I would say 5-10. A lot of people say Bettas like small spaces but really it’s not that they like them, but that they can survive in them. My betta is in 30 g and is delighted so I feel I have debunked the ‘ bettas don’t like small tanks’ myth. If you have fun stuff like a floating log and a real or fake plant your betta will be happy in 5-10. My opinion for what it’s worth. My opinion might be an outlier.

Thank you! I definitely agree that bettas do not *need* small spaces. I’m mostly interested in a smaller aquarium for esthetic purposes, but obviously want to make sure my little scaled friend would be comfortable and happy!

My opinion is minimum 5 gallon. A 10 gallon is better for a female, because there more active then there male counterpart.

Interesting! See I thought a female would be better suited to a smaller tank since they tend to be smaller in general. This is good info! Thanks!!

I personally don't like 2.5 gallons for bettas since they're so hard to keep a cycle in. Plus, enrichment is more difficult since there's less space for hides and plants and whatnot. I'd go with a 5.5 unless you're adamant about having the smallest tank possible.

I’m up for the challenge of maintaining a small tank, but agree enrichment would be tricky. I’m definitely leaning toward a ~5 gallon at this point, although I do have a spare 10 gallon I could put to use. Choices, choices!

 

Consider the long fins the male has. They need to put forth considerable effort to get across the tank. Where a female with smaller fins is a far better swimmer.

 

My little lady is in a 5.5 and she’s grown substantially since I bought her as a fry. It’s big enough to fit all of the equipment without ruining the aesthetic and limiting the decoration too much. Also 2.5gallons are impossible to find appropriate lids/lighting.

 

who wants to water change a 2 gallon bowl everyday anyways, to much work rather than enjoying

 

I do not keep them in less than a 10 gal. A five will work but I like the stability of 10 gallon and up aquariums. Actually we have a female in the 150. But I must stress that there are a lot of floating plants for her to rest in.

 

My Betta thrives in a 3 gallon tank, but as others have said, bigger is better- the more water there is the slower the water chemistry changes and the more stable the cycle, which means problems don't sneak up on you. A bigger tank is also far more forgiving of a missed water change.

Regardless of tank size you'll need a filter and heater.

 

HI there, a few have touched on the concept of maintaining good water quality is easier in a larger volume of tank. Fish appreciate good water quality ; a bigger fish tank should not be an issue unless a cruel person feeds at the opposite end to the poor fish.

 

I have one in a 4.3 gallon tank. It's doing just fine. It's been in there for over a year now. Small freshwater aquariums aren't too hard to take care of. Just do a water change every week. Also, only feed your fish once every other day. That will keep the water cleaner.

 

HI guys! I appreciate all the responses. As previously stated, I know larger tanks are more stable and smaller ones are harder to keep. I am an experienced fish keeper and definitely understand filtration and heating are also needed, these are not issues. My question was really about what is best for the fish, not the maintenance required as I already have several other tanks and a schedule for regular maintenance that I can easily add on to. Based on what I’ve read here about the quality of life for female bettas, I will likely go with my 10 gallon. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to read and respond to my question!

 

Cool post pictures when its all set up and she's settled in.

 

HI guys! I appreciate all the responses. As previously stated, I know larger tanks are more stable and smaller ones are harder to keep. I am an experienced fish keeper and definitely understand filtration and heating are also needed, these are not issues. My question was really about what is best for the fish, not the maintenance required as I already have several other tanks and a schedule for regular maintenance that I can easily add on to. Based on what I’ve read here about the quality of life for female bettas, I will likely go with my 10 gallon. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to read and respond to my question!

Sorry if some of the posts came off as 'Fish 101,' but most folks here are so used to answering complete noobs that sometimes there's an assumption... That said, what Bettas (and most fish) need for their health is good water quality above all else. You can get that in a small tank, and Bettas can be quite content and not stressed in them, but it's easier for the fish keeper to maintain that quality in bigger tanks.

A 10 will be ideal for your new girl. As Dave125g said, post some pictures when she's all set. Most people here are as crazy for fish pictures as others are for cat videos .