55 Gallon Tank Male Betta in Community Tank?

[Queasy]

Hey,

My friend has a male betta that he's kept in a tiny glass jar for a couple of months. He saw my aquarium and decided that he wanted to hand the fish over to me instead. Space is kind of tight, so I was wondering if I could plop the fellow into my 57 gal community tank. I've read about a lot of people keeping them in community tanks, but sources were kind of unreliable; so I thought I'd ask here.

My stocking:
10 Corys
5 Amano Shrimp
5 Cardinal Tetras
~30 Guppies
~20 Danios

Tank:
57 Gal (216L)
2 Massive sponge filters, 1 Sunsun 303b Cannister (1400L/hr or 370G/hr)
26.5C or 79.7F
A mix of live plants & fake plants with lots of hiding spots.
The tank is fully cycled and has been running for ~1.5 years.

Tap water here is kind of on the harder side (~10GH), which is amazing for my guppies but terrible for a betta fish. The good side of it is my friend's tap water is the same which the betta fish was kept in, so I assume it's gotten used to the tap water here. My main concern is whether or not I'd have issues introducing a male betta with my current stocking. I'm most likely giving away my 20 Danios this weekend to one of my friend's as well. Can I safely add my friend's betta to my tank? Thank you!

 

[Ghelfaire]

The only issue would be the guppies. They look similar enough to bettas that he might attack them.

 

[Apoorvthegreat]

NO. The betta will either get along with them so well, that he'll just mind his own business and won't even look at them or, he'll kill the living **** out of all your fish in that tank. Not sure if it's worth the risk. Plus a 55gallon is a bit too big for a betta. I'm also worried about the current in the water dur to the canister and how you'd feed him, cause bettas aren't really strong swimmers. Try buying a new 5G tank if possible or consider returning the betta to the LFS as hopefully he'll live a better life there, than in a jar. Cheers

 

[FishBoy101]

NO. The betta will either get along with them so well, that he'll just mind his own business and won't even look at them or, he'll kill the living **** out of all your fish in that tank. Not sure if it's worth the risk. Plus a 55gallon is a bit too big for a betta. I'm also worried about the current in the water dur to the canister and how you'd feed him, cause bettas aren't really strong swimmers. Try buying a new 5G tank if possible or consider returning the betta to the LFS as hopefully he'll live a better life there, than in a jar. Cheers

I disagree. The betta will only kill if their personality is tuned that way. The tank is large, and if the betta is a "weak swimmer", how is it going to "kill" the other fish? Feeding is a small issue, which can easily be dealt with. Get some floaters that can root and have them block some of the water flow. And the 55 gallon is not to himself. There will be much more stocking. I agree with the current, but it also matters what kind of betta.

AcornTheBetta

Hey,

My friend has a male betta that he's kept in a tiny glass jar for a couple of months. He saw my aquarium and decided that he wanted to hand the fish over to me instead. Space is kind of tight, so I was wondering if I could plop the fellow into my 57 gal community tank. I've read about a lot of people keeping them in community tanks, but sources were kind of unreliable; so I thought I'd ask here.

My stocking:
10 Corys
5 Amano Shrimp
5 Cardinal Tetras
~30 Guppies
~20 Danios

Tank:
57 Gal (216L)
2 Massive sponge filters, 1 Sunsun 303b Cannister (1400L/hr or 370G/hr)
26.5C or 79.7F
A mix of live plants & fake plants with lots of hiding spots.
The tank is fully cycled and has been running for ~1.5 years.

Tap water here is kind of on the harder side (~10GH), which is amazing for my guppies but terrible for a betta fish. The good side of it is my friend's tap water is the same which the betta fish was kept in, so I assume it's gotten used to the tap water here. My main concern is whether or not I'd have issues introducing a male betta with my current stocking. I'm most likely giving away my 20 Danios this weekend to one of my friend's as well. Can I safely add my friend's betta to my tank? Thank you!

I have kept a betta in an community, and it worked fine. What the bettas personality? That could have a large factor. I would believe that it would be safe, but still matters on personality. Good luck!

 

[Cup1]

I disagree. The betta will only kill if their personality is tuned that way. The tank is large, and if the betta is a "weak swimmer", how is it going to "kill" the other fish? Feeding is a small issue, which can easily be dealt with. Get some floaters that can root and have them block some of the water flow. And the 55 gallon is not to himself. There will be much more stocking. I agree with the current, but it also matters what kind of betta.

AcornTheBetta


I have kept a betta in an community, and it worked fine. What the bettas personality? That could have a large factor. I would believe that it would be safe, but still matters on personality. Good luck!

I agree with fishboy101. The betta would probably be ok with that stocking based on their personality. The only thing I would worry about would be the guppies as the guppies could look similar to another male betta for your
betta and it would try to fight and kill them. But I also personally wouldn't do this stocking as a 55 gallon is so large and with bettas i find it alot easier to appreciate their personalities in a smaller tank like a 5-10 gallon with a few little shrimp tank mates, but this is your tank not mine. Just be wary of those guppies

 

[RayClem]

When keeping a male betta in a community tank, there are several things you need to consider.

1. Are their any fish in the tank that might nip at the betta's fins? Some tetras and barbs are fin nippers, but your neons should be safe.

2. Are there any fish in the tank that the betta might see as rivals and attack them? If you have any male guppies with long flowing fins, that could be an issue. If the guppies are fairly plain, you might be OK. Some bettas are highly territorial, others not so much. Fortunately, with a large number of other fish in the tank, the betta would not be able to focus his aggression on a single fish.

3. Does you tank have sufficient plants or other hiding spots for the betta and the other fish to hide when they want to rest?

The wild card is this situation is the temperment of the betta. Since he has been kept in a small bowl without the company of any other fish, you just do not know how he will react. You can try it, but if things do not go well, be prepared to pull him out.

 

[SanDiegoRedneck]

Hey,

My friend has a male betta that he's kept in a tiny glass jar for a couple of months. He saw my aquarium and decided that he wanted to hand the fish over to me instead. Space is kind of tight, so I was wondering if I could plop the fellow into my 57 gal community tank. I've read about a lot of people keeping them in community tanks, but sources were kind of unreliable; so I thought I'd ask here.

My stocking:
10 Corys
5 Amano Shrimp
5 Cardinal Tetras
~30 Guppies
~20 Danios

Tank:
57 Gal (216L)
2 Massive sponge filters, 1 Sunsun 303b Cannister (1400L/hr or 370G/hr)
26.5C or 79.7F
A mix of live plants & fake plants with lots of hiding spots.
The tank is fully cycled and has been running for ~1.5 years.

Tap water here is kind of on the harder side (~10GH), which is amazing for my guppies but terrible for a betta fish. The good side of it is my friend's tap water is the same which the betta fish was kept in, so I assume it's gotten used to the tap water here. My main concern is whether or not I'd have issues introducing a male betta with my current stocking. I'm most likely giving away my 20 Danios this weekend to one of my friend's as well. Can I safely add my friend's betta to my tank? Thank you!

I don't speak of it much because it causes lots of debate but I have 1 Male betta in a 55gal with breeding guppies and LF BN plecos. He has lived with a multitude of fish. He has learned the places he can rest. Planted tank a must so he can rest.

I've also had other Male betta that would have eaten every thing in that tank possible.

I say try. Better life for betta.

HAVE A STERN TALK WITH IT... say buddy you gotta be nice to the other fish then you can live in 55gal. If you act like jerk its back to solitary confinement

 

[Cup1]

HAVE A STERN TALK WITH IT... say buddy you gotta be nice to the other fish then you can live in 55gal. If you act like jerk its back to solitary confinement

I love this. Make sure he knows what's up haha.

 

[FishGirl115]

I would try it just because it's better than living in a jar. Worst case scenario you grab a plastic tote, throw a filter and heater in it if he's aggressive.

 

[Bettatakeover]

I also have a male betta in with guppies, rummynose tetras and 2 female honey gouramis. My betta is the most chill guy in there (although he will attack and eat any and all shrimp). I would introduce your betta with a breeder box thst is clear and can go inside the tank. Observe him. Does he flare constantly and try to attack even after a couple hours? Is he hiding? Feed your other fish when you put him in so they are distracted.

Girl Talks Fish (YouTube) has a good video on how she introduced her male betta into a community tank.

 

[AcornTheBetta]

Hey,

My friend has a male betta that he's kept in a tiny glass jar for a couple of months. He saw my aquarium and decided that he wanted to hand the fish over to me instead. Space is kind of tight, so I was wondering if I could plop the fellow into my 57 gal community tank. I've read about a lot of people keeping them in community tanks, but sources were kind of unreliable; so I thought I'd ask here.

My stocking:
10 Corys
5 Amano Shrimp
5 Cardinal Tetras
~30 Guppies
~20 Danios

Tank:
57 Gal (216L)
2 Massive sponge filters, 1 Sunsun 303b Cannister (1400L/hr or 370G/hr)
26.5C or 79.7F
A mix of live plants & fake plants with lots of hiding spots.
The tank is fully cycled and has been running for ~1.5 years.

Tap water here is kind of on the harder side (~10GH), which is amazing for my guppies but terrible for a betta fish. The good side of it is my friend's tap water is the same which the betta fish was kept in, so I assume it's gotten used to the tap water here. My main concern is whether or not I'd have issues introducing a male betta with my current stocking. I'm most likely giving away my 20 Danios this weekend to one of my friend's as well. Can I safely add my friend's betta to my tank? Thank you!

I wouldn't advise doing it as a betta may pick on the guppies. Instead, you could try 3 (1m,2f) honey gouramis or 2 Bolivian Rams. On a side note, I recommend that you up your cardinal tetras to at least 6, if not more.

 

[phnx314]

NO. The betta will either get along with them so well, that he'll just mind his own business and won't even look at them or, he'll kill the living **** out of all your fish in that tank. Not sure if it's worth the risk. Plus a 55gallon is a bit too big for a betta. I'm also worried about the current in the water dur to the canister and how you'd feed him, cause bettas aren't really strong swimmers. Try buying a new 5G tank if possible or consider returning the betta to the LFS as hopefully he'll live a better life there, than in a jar. Cheers

This isn’t really true. Bettas dislike large open spaces, not big tanks.

—

Of course the personality of the betta is relevant, I think it’s more important to think about what it must be like going into a 55g from a tiny jar. My male betta Meliodas was in a 5g and was very upset when I added a mystery snail into his tank, however in my 29g since he has so much space he gets along fine with the corys and the pleco. Since your tank is so large, territory isn’t going to be an issue for your betta.

As others have stated, the long colorful flowing fins of the guppies is most concerning to me. However I’ve seen people successfully keep male bettas and guppies together, so I would still try it.

 

[BettasAreSuperior]

This isn’t really true. Bettas dislike large open spaces, not big tanks.

—

Of course the personality of the betta is relevant, I think it’s more important to think about what it must be like going into a 55g from a tiny jar. My male betta Meliodas was in a 5g and was very upset when I added a mystery snail into his tank, however in my 29g since he has so much space he gets along fine with the corys and the pleco. Since your tank is so large, territory isn’t going to be an issue for your betta.

As others have stated, the long colorful flowing fins of the guppies is most concerning to me. However I’ve seen people successfully keep male bettas and guppies together, so I would still try it.

I agree.

NO. The betta will either get along with them so well, that he'll just mind his own business and won't even look at them or, he'll kill the living **** out of all your fish in that tank. Not sure if it's worth the risk. Plus a 55gallon is a bit too big for a betta. I'm also worried about the current in the water due to the canister and how you'd feed him, cause bettas aren't really strong swimmers. Try buying a new 5G tank if possible or consider returning the betta to the LFS as hopefully, he'll live a better life there, than in a jar. Cheers

I disagree with some of this. Bettas like open tanks. Why wouldn't a fish love a huge tank to explore? Besides, it depends on the temperament of the betta. We don't know the betta's personality, so we can't assume. Some betta will not attack shrimp or any other fish.

Here's an idea. Put the betta in the community tank. See his reactions. If they are bad, remove him. If not, keep him in the tank. Queasy . if the betta is aggressive, get a 5-gallon tank, add live plants, and a sponge filter?

For the 55 gal current just put prefilter sponges on the intake and outflows. Also, please watch the video below, it will help.

 

[RonDarcy]

I think it should work out fine. Less of a tendency for the betta to attack the other fish, because he is being added last. If he was first in a tank, he would have felt it was all his territory. I would be conserned he may pick the amano to death, so keep an eye on that. I would think the betta would find life more interesting with your fish. Of course if his personality is to be a mean old grouch, give him back to your friend.

 

[Bettamay]

IMO, it just depends. If the tank is planted or silk planted with lots of hiding it would be ok. You need to make sure all fish have some corners to themselves. If you have male guppies though, I don’t think it will work. You should still try though, ans see how he reacts.

If he’s being naughty, just put him in a five gallon or if he’s a slow swimmer, like a veil tail, you might be able to get away with a 3 or 4 gallon.

 

[ProudPapa]

. . . HAVE A STERN TALK WITH IT... say buddy you gotta be nice to the other fish then you can live in 55gal. If you act like jerk its back to solitary confinement

. . . or maybe threaten to throw him in a tank full of African cichlids. I know someone who did that with a gold gourami that was attacking every fish in sight. He wasn't nearly so tough in that cichlid tank.

 

[Queasy]

Thank you for the advice, everyone! I'm probably going to add it in and monitor its behavior. I'll have a 5 Gal ready to go in case things go wrong.