Is it possible to have ANY tankmates with my betta, in a 3 gallon?

hi so, I just upgraded from a 1.5 gallon (yes I know, too small) to a 3 gallon for my betta fish. I want to do many things with the tank, including incorporating live plants, and adding tankmates if it's possible, but I don't know for sure if the tank would be big enough for them to live comfortably. I was looking at ghost shrimps, and it's certainly doable. I'm hoping to upgrade to a 10 gallon eventually, but as I'm 16 and don't have a job, it's going to be a while from now. so, if it is possible to have ANY, and I mean any kind of tankmate, what would they be? I'm very new to this and I'm hoping to learn a lot more, so please forgive me if I'm a bit dumb with this stuff!

 

Amano shrimp or snails. Sorry you cannot put much in that tank. If you get plants, you might end up with some snails as hitchhikers.

 

I would say 1 Nerite snail. Thats about it for now.

 

Amano shrimp or snails. Sorry you cannot put much in that tank. If you get plants, you might end up with some snails as hitchhikers.

thank you!! I just did some research and saw that 2 shrimp or 1 nerite snail would do the trick

I would say 1 Nerite snail. Thats about it for now.

I saw that 2 shrimp would be alright too, but I'm not sure which one I'll go for!

 

I would argue against any tankmates since the volume is so small. Even nerites could

thank you!! I just did some research and saw that 2 shrimp or 1 nerite snail would do the trick

I saw that 2 shrimp would be alright too, but I'm not sure which one I'll go for!

Make sure your tank is properly cycled first even then your betta might not tolerate and/or kill any tankmates. IMO 3 gallons is too small for a betta let alone a betta and tankmates.

 

A 3 gallon is too small for a betta by itself. If I were you I’d just wait until you upgrade to a 10 gallon before you add any tank mates.
If you’re totally set on getting tank mates right now then I would do an amano instead of a Nerite snail because of their low bio load.

 

I would argue against any tankmates since the volume is so small. Even nerites could


Make sure your tank is properly cycled first even then your betta might not tolerate and/or kill any tankmates. IMO 3 gallons is too small for a betta let alone a betta and tankmates.

is it? I did some research and from what I've read 3 gallons is okay for a Betta. it's not the best, but it's okay. I'm not going to be adding any tankmates until it's cycled!

 

is it? I did some research and from what I've read 3 gallons is okay for a Betta. it's not the best, but it's okay. I'm not going to be adding any tankmates until it's cycled!

3 gallons will work for a betta I had mine in that size for a while but after having them upgraded to 10 gallons each I can see they are a lot happier. but if you keep him in a 3 gallon a nerate snail is the only thing I would add.

 

is it? I did some research and from what I've read 3 gallons is okay for a Betta. it's not the best, but it's okay. I'm not going to be adding any tankmates until it's cycled!

Random articles read on the internet can be highly flawed and yes a betta can live in 3 gallons but not with tankmates. There is a lot to take into account including but not limited to bioload and temperament of the betta. In a 3 gallon toxic waste will accumulate much MUCH more quickly than in a higher volume tank. Just be aware that if you decide to add tankmates you will need to do at least 2-3 50% WCs per week to maintain water quality. In fact in a tank that small you should be doing 2 WCs of 50% each week to begin with. Keep in mind the smaller the tank, the more work it is to keep the water clean. If you have any questions about cycling let us know.

 

The age old 2.5 gallon/5 gallon betta debate...

It's all down to personal opinion and experience really, but I like to err on the side of caution so I've never kept a betta in anything less than 5 gallons. They are clean fish though and a 3 gallon that's well taken care of is probably fine, especially as a temporary option. I'd only add the nerites/shrimp after upgrading the tank, mainly just because shrimp can be a pain to catch and move, but also because you just want to focus on taking care of the betta in such a small tank. goodluck

 

Random articles read on the internet can be highly flawed and yes a betta can live in 3 gallons but not with tankmates. There is a lot to take into account including but not limited to bioload and temperament of the betta. In a 3 gallon toxic waste will accumulate much MUCH more quickly than in a higher volume tank. Just be aware that if you decide to add tankmates you will need to do at least 2-3 50% WCs per week to maintain water quality. In fact in a tank that small you should be doing 2 WCs of 50% each week to begin with. Keep in mind the smaller the tank, the more work it is to keep the water clean. If you have any questions about cycling let us know.

I will be doing water changes !! I think for now I'll work on growing live plants and maybe add 1 nerite snail :] I don't want to go overboard or do anything that causes him to be unwell. Thank you for the information!!! I'll also be working on saving up money for a 10 gallon but for now I'll do what I can to make him happy !

3 gallons will work for a betta I had mine in that size for a while but after having them upgraded to 10 gallons each I can see they are a lot happier. but if you keep him in a 3 gallon a nerate snail is the only thing I would add.

thank you! I'm hoping to upgrade to a 10 gallon eventually but it won't be anytime soon. I'm going to add a moss ball or two, and maybe one nerite snail but I'm still on the fence about tankmates

A 3 gallon is too small for a betta by itself. If I were you I’d just wait until you upgrade to a 10 gallon before you add any tank mates.
If you’re totally set on getting tank mates right now then I would do an amano instead of a Nerite snail because of their low bio load.

I read on multiple places that a 3 gallon was okay but not the best? it's a really tough situation because I do want to give him a bigger tank so he can live happier, but it's hard because I'm underage with no job so it's quite difficult to acquire all that without spending loads of money. I also read that shrimp should be put together in a tank, so do you think two would be possible or is that too much?

 

is it? I did some research and from what I've read 3 gallons is okay for a Betta. it's not the best, but it's okay. I'm not going to be adding any tankmates until it's cycled

3 gallons is fine for a betta. Bigger would be better. It’s like would you rather live in an 1 bedroom apartment or in a large house. You kinda got to look at it with that perspective.

 

Bettas can thrive in a small tank, but as other members stated, it is really nice to see them stretch their fins in a bigger tank. May be you could get a 10gl at a Petco gallon/$ sale, or I am a fan of the local classifieds. There are free tanks (I know as I gave some away), just have to look.
I would go for the Nerite as a tankmate.

 

I will be doing water changes !! I think for now I'll work on growing live plants and maybe add 1 nerite snail :] I don't want to go overboard or do anything that causes him to be unwell. Thank you for the information!!! I'll also be working on saving up money for a 10 gallon but for now I'll do what I can to make him happy !

thank you! I'm hoping to upgrade to a 10 gallon eventually but it won't be anytime soon. I'm going to add a moss ball or two, and maybe one nerite snail but I'm still on the fence about tankmates

I read on multiple places that a 3 gallon was okay but not the best? it's a really tough situation because I do want to give him a bigger tank so he can live happier, but it's hard because I'm underage with no job so it's quite difficult to acquire all that without spending loads of money. I also read that shrimp should be put together in a tank, so do you think two would be possible or is that too much?

I understand not being able to really afford tanks. That happened to me before, but I just got one used. Its a great way to save money. For example, I was able to get a 20 gal with a lid, heater, light, filter, guppies, rocks, decor, snails, the stand, and a lot of tank supplies for 20$. You may have to do a little bit of searching, but you will be able to find a great bargain somewhere. I also know that petco will have an occasional sale of 1$ for every 1 gal.