New betta?

[Newbie1234]

So it might be awhile till I get a new one, but I really miss my old betta. He was in a community tank, so I am unsure of how to get another betta as peaceful Finley(My old betta´s name). I would really appreciate any advice. I would like a male so I could name him finman(My old betta´s nickname), although also open to females. If you could find a somewhere they sold bettas(Example, Bettas & Arts) would also really help.

 

[Mrfister1116]

Depends on the community ... I house mine with angels, mollies, and pea puffers and they’ve never bothered anybody they just stay clear of the pea puffers. In previous tanks I’ve had them with assorted live bearers with tetras and never really had an issue really ... when I had tiger barbs they picked on the betas allot.
Tall plants they can swim around (soft or live plants) help them allot as they are territorial but from ones ive had its mostly just to other betas.

 

[Galactica555]

So it might be awhile till I get a new one, but I really miss my old betta. He was in a community tank, so I am unsure of how to get another betta as peaceful Finley(My old betta´s name). I would really appreciate any advice. I would like a male so I could name him finman(My old betta´s nickname), although also open to females. If you could find a somewhere they sold bettas(Example, Bettas & Arts) would also really help.

Honestly I would try local shops if you can then you can kinda see their health, temperament,etc. Less color or morph options of course. I know where I am locally there's a few small family pet or aquarium shops with a wide variety. I would call around local if you can I have personally never ordered offline so I cannot personally recommend any where from my own experience.
If you're northern or west coast, try aquarium co-op by FAR the best betta selection in person I've ever seen

Depends on the community ... I house mine with angels, mollies, and pea puffers and they’ve never bothered anybody they just stay clear of the pea puffers. In previous tanks I’ve had them with assorted live bearers with tetras and never really had an issue really ... when I had tiger barbs they picked on the betas allot.
Tall plants they can swim around (soft or live plants) help them allot as they are territorial but from ones ive had its mostly just to other betas.

I was looking online awhile back, I'll try and attach links to ones that seemed reputable and have decent stock, sure some others will come and get some more for you too!

 

[minervalong]

I've kept male bettas in community tanks for a long time. Things I have found helpful--
Get everything else in the tank first. Take a small mirror with you to pick him out. If he is interested or flares, that's good. If he doesn't calm immediately when you take away the mirror, not good. If all other health indicators are even at the store, look for one that has been blowing bubbles. Means he's healthy, mature and more stable. Stay away from crown tails, those son of a guns are murderous (well, at least the 3 I've had).

 

[Galactica555]

Also should be careful what tank mates he/she adds if they get a long tail betta. Some can be real tail nippers, and no matter the temper, of the betta that won't end well for anyone!

I've kept male bettas in community tanks for a long time. Things I have found helpful--
Get everything else in the tank first. Take a small mirror with you to pick him out. If he is interested or flares, that's good. If he doesn't calm immediately when you take away the mirror, not good. If all other health indicators are even at the store, look for one that has been blowing bubbles. Means he's healthy, mature and more stable. Stay away from crown tails, those son of a guns are murderous (well, at least the 3 I've had).

 

[minervalong]

Also should be careful what tank mates he/she adds if they get a long tail betta. Some can be real tail nippers, and no matter the temper, of the betta that won't end well for anyone!

You are so right. I don't have barbs or tetras in any of my tanks for this very reason. Had a betta in college, he was about 3. Some idiot gave me some rosy barbs for a birthday gift, the 10g was "empty" with only Charlie in there. Yeah, those barbs killed my beautiful boy, so I got rid of them then.

 

[Galactica555]

You are so right. I don't have barbs or tetras in any of my tanks for this very reason. Had a betta in college, he was about 3. Some idiot gave me some rosy barbs for a birthday gift, the 10g was "empty" with only Charlie in there. Yeah, those barbs killed my beautiful boy, so I got rid of them then.

Aw that is absolutely terrible I am so sorry

 

[minervalong]

Aw that is absolutely terrible I am so sorry

Lesson learned, long long ago lol. Same idiot put duckweed in my tank, a lot. And I never really got rid of it all lol. Poor boy was a burnout and it clearly showed.

 

[Galactica555]

Sheesh, I can't even imagine messing with someone else's tank..let alone without permission! That's such a personal thing, and plus who would know the tank and it's permaiters,needs,temperaments better than the owner/keeper.. just rude. Sucks you had to deal with that. Good intentions or not from the guy/gal..

Lesson learned, long long ago lol. Same idiot put duckweed in my tank, a lot. And I never really got rid of it all lol. Poor boy was a burnout and it clearly showed.

 

[minervalong]

Well, this really was long ago so tank keeping has evolved in a big way since then. He was on the front edge of the "back to nature" movement and I think he dropped a lot of acid too lol.

 

[Galactica555]

Oh dear..lol

Well, this really was long ago so tank keeping has evolved in a big way since then. He was on the front edge of the "back to nature" movement and I think he dropped a lot of acid too lol.

 

[BellaFriedrick]

So it might be awhile till I get a new one, but I really miss my old betta. He was in a community tank, so I am unsure of how to get another betta as peaceful Finley(My old betta´s name). I would really appreciate any advice. I would like a male so I could name him finman(My old betta´s nickname), although also open to females. If you could find a somewhere they sold bettas(Example, Bettas & Arts) would also really help.

it depends on tankmates and size of tank, too. one of my bettas is in a 20 gallon community tank with snails and neon tetras, and sometimes I’ll literally walk in on him and one just hiding in one of their caves next to each other. If the tankmates aren’t fin nippers or aggressive and live in the same water conditions, next is about the betta Itself. What I did was first choose some bettas you like, and put them together (as in their bowls or tanks nect to each other), and if they flare or stare at each other, they’re probably aggressive. If they try swimming away or seem scared, they’re usually sweeter. That’s in my experience!

 

[Bettamay]

Stay away from crown tails, maybe get a peaceful/half moon betta. Those species were bred more for looking pretty, not fighting.

 

[minervalong]

I agree about staying away from crowntails. I've had 3 I tried to integrate and it never worked. I'm assuming you don't have fin nippers so no worry on that side since Finley lived with them.
When I'm looking for a community betta, I take a small mirror with me. Put it right up to the little cup. If he flares, take the mirror away and see how long it takes for him to relax. If he stays riled up more than a minute, he's not the one. Take your finger and travel it back and forth slowly on the cup. See if he comes to investigate. If not, then he'll spend a lot of time hiding.
All other things being equal, if you find a pretty boy blowing a bubble nest, he's a healthy, happy boyo. My most beautiful and best tank betta was a rosie and I picked him because he was tending a bubble nest in the cup.

 

[BettaCyrus]

it depends on tankmates and size of tank, too. one of my bettas is in a 20 gallon community tank with snails and neon tetras, and sometimes I’ll literally walk in on him and one just hiding in one of their caves next to each other. If the tankmates aren’t fin nippers or aggressive and live in the same water conditions, next is about the betta Itself. What I did was first choose some bettas you like, and put them together (as in their bowls or tanks nect to each other), and if they flare or stare at each other, they’re probably aggressive. If they try swimming away or seem scared, they’re usually sweeter. That’s in my experience!

That's so sweet about the tetra and betta together ^_^ I've been thinking of adding neon tetras and a few snails to my betta once the tank is cycled/up & going. I think I got lucky w/my guy, he seems to have a very chill personality.