Help Setting Up A Community Tank

okay so my boyfriend has a 10 gallon tank with a betta and an albino cory (there were 2 but 1 recently died) and the tank is I'm pretty bad shape. After the cory died he seemed discouraged and told me he wanted to give away his tank. I've had a betta for a year and recently got a new tank that I've been setting up for a dwarf puffer tank. So I'm fairly invested and take good care of my tanks and such. I'm excited about getting this betta because he is so peaceful. If there was another betta like him they would be friends.

Anyway, my plan is to put some mopanI driftwood in there and make it heavily planted. I also want to put some tank mates in there since he is so docile. I was wondering if these would all work together:
1 betta
2 albino cories
2 panda cories
1 dwarf frog
6 red cherry shrimp (I know they'll breed but initially)
1 mystery snail

 

Corys need groups of 6 plus of their own kind and a larger tank. Pandas also aren't temp compatible.

 

Just stick with the betta, shrimp, and snails. As Katie13 said, cories need more room, more friends, and pandas aren't compatible..

 

Albino and panda corydoras need at least 5 of their own species each.
Panda corys are also not temperature compatible with bettas and albino corydoras are at the top of their temperature range to be compatible with bettas.
The dwarf frog might also not be able to compete against the fish for food since they have bad eyesight (assuming you are talking about the african dwarf frog).

 

Just be careful when you're first introducing the new fish to the betta I had a betta that I thought was so docile he would just get along great with my Cory's but when I added a snail tried to pick it to death and kills almost every other thing

 

Corys need groups of 6 plus of their own kind and a larger tank. Pandas also aren't temp compatible.

Just stick with the betta, shrimp, and snails. As Katie13 said, cories need more room, more friends, and pandas aren't compatible..

I didn't know about the panda cories being in a different temperature range, thanks! So what should I do about the 1 Cory that's already there? My LFS wouldn't take it back. Could 4 be a good enough number to make them feel safe? I think with all of the plants and water changes it wouldn't be a huge bioload.

Just be careful when you're first introducing the new fish to the betta I had a betta that I thought was so docile he would just get along great with my Cory's but when I added a snail tried to pick it to death and kills almost every other thing

I definitely will, I plan on taking out the betta while introducing the other fish, I heard that helps make them less aggressive to the new fish

Albino and panda corydoras need at least 5 of their own species each.
Panda corys are also not temperature compatible with bettas and albino corydoras are at the top of their temperature range to be compatible with bettas.
The dwarf frog might also not be able to compete against the fish for food since they have bad eyesight (assuming you are talking about the african dwarf frog).

I probably won't get the frog because of the apparent need for more cories and I'll also only get albino

 

I didn't know about the panda cories being in a different temperature range, thanks! So what should I do about the 1 Cory that's already there? My LFS wouldn't take it back. Could 4 be a good enough number to make them feel safe? I think with all of the plants and water changes it wouldn't be a huge bioload.

I would try to rehome him. The tank is too small for him as well, so it would be the best thing.

 

I would try to rehome him. The tank is too small for him as well, so it would be the best thing.

yeah, you're probably right, I have a friend who might be able to take him

 

I wouldnt recommend having fish tank mates for your betta in a 10gal. you could do some shrimp and snails though

 

I think your plan is wonderful.

 

I agree. Rehome the cory seeing that they need a large footprint to roam.
You can get nerite snails or possibly some shrimp if your betta allows for it

 

Look into Pygmy cories instead! A school of something small might be okay in the tank with your Betta, like CPD's or ChilI Rasboras

 

Look into Pygmy cories instead! A school of something small might be okay in the tank with your Betta, like CPD's or ChilI Rasboras

Pygmy cories need at least 15 gallons. Bettas should not be put with fish in anything under 20 gallons.