New tank/tank mates for betta introduction

I have one male betta and a a mystery snail in a 10 gallon, I have a 12 gallon rimless bookshelf tank on the way, it’s 35.4”x8.3”x9.4”. I’ve been doing my research and I would like to definitely get 3 African dwarf frogs, another snail, a couple shrimp, 7 neon tetras, and if public opinion doesn’t differ, a corydora or some kind of small bottom feeders; my question is, in what order should I introduce them all to the tank? I was thinking snails and shrimp, then frogs, then tetras, then the corydora, lastly my betta. Thank you for any suggestions!

 

Neon tetras are too active for 10 gallon tanks. 20 gallon minimum. How about some ember tetras instead?
The ADFs may nip the betta because they are basically blind and will see a lot of things as food so keep an eye on them.
What type of shrimp?
Corydoras should be kept in groups of at least 6 and most get too big for 10 gallons. A group of 6 pygmy corys would work.
Monitor the betta for the first couple weeks for signs of aggression. If aggression continues for more than 3 days, it's likely that your betta is a more aggressive one and he will need his own tank.

 

I would think that you're overstocked. I would not put corys in a 10 gallon at all, except for quarantine for a short time. Some shrimp may become an expensive snack for your betta.

 

The tank is not really high and will offer limited swimming space for the Betta without room to evade the other inhabitants. Jumping out may be the risk as well.

 

I have one male betta and a a mystery snail in a 10 gallon, I have a 12 gallon rimless bookshelf tank on the way, it’s 35.4”x8.3”x9.4”. I’ve been doing my research and I would like to definitely get 3 African dwarf frogs, another snail, a couple shrimp, 7 neon tetras, and if public opinion doesn’t differ, a corydora or some kind of small bottom feeders; my question is, in what order should I introduce them all to the tank? I was thinking snails and shrimp, then frogs, then tetras, then the corydora, lastly my betta. Thank you for any suggestions!

RESPONSE:
I’m not sure if this is the proper way to respond, but I thought best to reply to everyone at once; I super appreciate you all.

-I’ll definitely do more research into types of tetras, I want everyone happy, so embers will hopefully work if they don’t require a large school.

-I was thinking Pygmy Corydoras, but 6 would be too much I think, so I’ll probably ex them out.

-for shrimp I was gonna try to get some on the bigger side-ish, big ghost, or Amano shrimp.



I no doubt want African dwarf frogs, so if it comes down to it I’ll just have them some shrimp, snails, and my handsome betta boy. Curious whether or not I should let all of the community fish establish themselves before I put my betta boy in?

 

I would put everyone in before your betta just because he might become aggressive. Otherwise you might have to do a rescape.

 

You have a 10 gal and a12 gal. Keep the frogs in one and the betta in the other. They are not good tankmates. The frogs will bite at the fins of the betta and I've seen ADF get the front of a betta in their mouth before, which damaged many scales on the fish, which then became infected and the betta eventually succumbed to those injuries. I have also seen betta take advantage of the poor vision of the ADF and attack them, biting off toes and even biting out eyeballs.

 

You have a 10 gal and a12 gal. Keep the frogs in one and the betta in the other. They are not good tankmates. The frogs will bite at the fins of the betta and I've seen ADF get the front of a betta in their mouth before, which damaged many scales on the fish, which then became infected and the betta eventually succumbed to those injuries. I have also seen betta take advantage of the poor vision of the ADF and attack them, biting off toes and even biting out eyeballs.

If I had enough room I definitely would keep them both up, but in all honesty I don’t have the space, (my place is tiny) or the time (nursing school) to manage 3 tanks (already have 2, and 4 cats & 2 dogs & a bearded dragon). I’ve read mixed reviews about keeping them together, definitely won’t just sit by and let things go down, I’ll have to check up on the return policy for them. This male they’d be with is pretty docile compared to his brother who is in tank #2. I appreciate your brutal honesty, I’ll definitely take it in stride and be super vigilant when/if the time comes. Also I’ll be sure to keep the 10gallon up as an isolation tank for just in case. Thanks a ton

 

Hi Escargot!
I wanted to echo what others have said about ADFs and bettas not being good tank mates. Bettas and ADFs are hands down my 2 favorite creatures in this hobby, so it's been a sad conclusion for me too. As others have mentioned, because an ADF's vision is so poor they will jump at/nip at any movement. My betta likes to rest on the bottom of the tank at times, and he ESPECIALLY does this if he isn't feeling well. So having an ADF bite at him would just compound the issue. Sad times! I'm about to upgrade from a 5 gallon to a 10 gallon and keep trying to figure out if I can pair my betta (& 1 nerite) with anything and still be pretty safe, but it seems like it's such a small space there aren't many options. It's been a disappointing realization, but I'd rather have a happy, healthy betta with a couple of snails and plenty of room to swim than a tank of stressed out fish.

 

Hi Escargot!
I wanted to echo what others have said about ADFs and bettas not being good tank mates. Bettas and ADFs are hands down my 2 favorite creatures in this hobby, so it's been a sad conclusion for me too. As others have mentioned, because an ADF's vision is so poor they will jump at/nip at any movement. My betta likes to rest on the bottom of the tank at times, and he ESPECIALLY does this if he isn't feeling well. So having an ADF bite at him would just compound the issue. Sad times! I'm about to upgrade from a 5 gallon to a 10 gallon and keep trying to figure out if I can pair my betta (& 1 nerite) with anything and still be pretty safe, but it seems like it's such a small space there aren't many options. It's been a disappointing realization, but I'd rather have a happy, healthy betta with a couple of snails and plenty of room to swim than a tank of stressed out fish.

I appreciate the emphasis. I definitely agree that I want whoever is in my tank to be happy and healthy without harassment; so it’s pretty sad knowing that chances are what I so desire I can’t have, woe is me. Guess I’m just hopeful that the tank will be long enough and planted enough to allow them to all live in content. Either way it goes my betta has priority, I can’t afford to bite off more than I can chew, and they don’t deserve that

 

I appreciate the emphasis. I definitely agree that I want whoever is in my tank to be happy and healthy without harassment; so it’s pretty sad knowing that chances are what I so desire I can’t have, woe is me. Guess I’m just hopeful that the tank will be long enough and planted enough to allow them to all live in content. Either way it goes my betta has priority, I can’t afford to bite off more than I can chew, and they don’t deserve that

One possible thought: how would you feel about putting a divider in the middle of the tank? Then you could enjoy both of them but everyone stays healthy. It does reduce the amount of swimming space your betta would have, but they seem to do fine with a 5-6 gallon tank. (Although, mine went from a tiny cup in the store to a 5 gallon. If he'd had a 10 gallon he might not like being "downgraded" to 6.)