New here and new to the hobby

Hey all, hope everyone is doing well. I'll keep this simple. I have a 10 gallon tank. It's well planted with 5 different types of plants. A slate cave, and a skull for decor. I have a male crowntail betta and I just recently picked up a rubber lip pleco which is about 3 inches long. My concern is, knowing the pleco won't grow much bigger, will it stil thrive in this tank? Is a 10 gallon with one betta too small?

 

I'm not a pleco expert but as far as I know there is no species of pleco that is suited for a 10 gallon tank. It will likely outgrow that tank pretty fast. If your looking for something to control algae I would suggest snails or maybe some shrimp IF your betta will tolerate them.

 

Hi! Welcome to Fishlore!

A 10 gallon is a palace for a betta, but for a pleco it would be the equivalent of a cupboard under the stairs. Additionally, while the betta likes a warm tank, the pleco would prefer things a touch cooler.

Also bettas can be really cranky about tankmates, and will attack with extreme prejudice if the mood takes them.

So unfortunately, they won't be good roomies.

 

Hey I appreciate the response. And I'm obviously no expert either but the reason I went with the rubber lip pleco is I've research the largest they get is 5 to 6 inches. I could be wrong, probably wrong. If this is the case and this pleco will not be sufficient for this tank, would a Corry catfish be ideal? I don't have an algae problem at all. Just trying to stay in the bottom dweller category in order for the betta to remain peaceful

 

Welcome to fishlore

Unfortunately rubberlip plecos need a 30 inch tank minimum. They can get over 5 inches and have a bioload to large for a10 gallon to handle

 

Hey I appreciate the response. And I'm obviously no expert either but the reason I went with the rubber lip pleco is I've research the largest they get is 5 to 6 inches. I could be wrong, probably wrong. If this is the case and this pleco will not be sufficient for this tank, would a Corry catfish be ideal? I don't have an algae problem at all. Just trying to stay in the bottom dweller category in order for the betta to remain peaceful

Cories need a 20 gallon tank at least and they are a schooling fish. Bettas need to be kept alone. You could maybe sneak in a snail, or some shrimp, but that is it.

 

Cories are schooling fish and prefer to be in a group of at least 6. A 10 gallon is too small for them.
I am new to the hobby but from what I read, people usually say a snail or shrimp works best bet with a betta. However, some Bettas even attack them. I guess if depends on the Betta's personality.

 

Hey I appreciate the response. And I'm obviously no expert either but the reason I went with the rubber lip pleco is I've research the largest they get is 5 to 6 inches. I could be wrong, probably wrong. If this is the case and this pleco will not be sufficient for this tank, would a Corry catfish be ideal? I don't have an algae problem at all. Just trying to stay in the bottom dweller category in order for the betta to remain peaceful

Unfortunately, no. You need to have a minimum of six cory, which means at minimum a 20 gallon tank. My experience with cory and betta resulted in tail-less cory, so I wouldn't suggest them.

You may be able to have shrimp. I would suggest experimenting with inexpensive ghost shrimp and seeing if they are left alone before investing in anything more expensive. Even then starting a cherry shrimp colony elsewhere and transferring second generation into the betta tank is a good strategy.

Snails may also work for you. Nerites come in a variety of colors. Many people successfully keep Mystery snails and bettas together.

 

Cory cats need to be in schools of at least 6. And that many would be too much for your tank. For the most part when you get a male betta, it will be the only fish in that tank. They are solitary fish and don't usually like compaby. If you would like multiple fish you could divide the tank and get 2 bettas.

 

A 5-6 inch fish is too big for a 10 gallon. It's not only about mature size but also activity level and waste output. Bettas have a minimal bioload but plecos are poop machines! You'll have a hard time keeping the water clean with a growing pleco in there.

As said above they're also a cooler water species than the betta and cories prefer to be in groups and are also very active. I think with the pleco it's the safety of the betta you need to worry about. Sure the betta is more likely to be aggressive but plecos have sharp retractable spines on the sides of their face that they can use for defense. It won't end well for the betta if he runs into those!

What about invertebrates? You could do some really neat shrimp or plant-friendy snails in there!

 

Oh wow guys. Thanks for all the feedback. So unfortunate about the pleco. I'll have to try and find him a new home asap. I guess the research about tank mates for bettas all this time has been a crock. I was thinking about shrimp but eh, I don't know. I even tested the guy at the fish store (not petco or a chain store) and he convinced me the pleco would be just fine. Bummer. I thank you all very much

 

Yeah, they're there to sell fish, not necessarily to tell you the truth that might stop you from buying

TBH not all of them are bad, but when you're starting out it's a good idea to double check anything the pet store tells you. One thing you can do is to write down information you're given and then check back here!

 

Yeah for sure. I'm going to have to do that. That's how they get you haha. As much as I'd love for my betta to have a mate, looks like he's sleeping alone tonight

 

Think of it like a car salesman

You come in and tell the guy you have 3 kids and two mortgages but really want that two seater corvette. He is not going to tell you you should get an affordable minivan instead or he'd lose the sale.

Seriously fish and fish base are great sites for looking for good fish information. But even they can be wrong so it's always good to check with folks with fish keeping experience that are not invested in your money or the sale

 

Such a bummer. I thank you for the quick response. Looks like he's moving out asap

 

LOL @, I wondered if I was having a mid-life crisis by getting into fish

 

If you really want mates for him inverts would be the way to go

 

Well I thank you all very much. Tons of help and great info fast. Glad I signed up for this

 

LOL @, I wondered if I was having a mid-life crisis by getting into fish

Hey... that shiny red cichlid would be great for your community of neons and cherry shrimp

 

Two words...

Bigger tank.

 

Hello and welcome! glad your here! Just for future reference bettas shouldn't be kept with other fish(besides a divided two betta tank) unless it's in a heavily planted 20 long. Maybe you can do a divided betta tank with another male?