Plakat betta in a community tank?

I have a 10 gallon ready for fish Im gonna do some ember tetras and maybe cherry shrimp with a betta and I did some research and it said it mostly depends on the betta if I wanted a betta fish in a community tank. Until recently I wanted a veiltail but then I saw a plakat betta and I loved it! I did research and I figured out that plakats are one of the most aggressive bettas out there. Will it fine if I get a chill plakat or will it kill all my fish?

Thanks!

 

IMO being a PK betta doesn’t mean they are more aggressive than other fin types. All my bettas are halfmoon plakats (HMPK) and besides the young males I have jarred they are all in community tanks. No aggression but I make sure the tank mates are all too big to be eaten and not likely to nip the betta’s fins. The long finned bettas are likely seen as “less aggressive” because their heavy fins prevent them from chasing after their targets for very long.

That being said, most bettas will go after shrimp.

 

I have a 10 gallon ready for fish Im gonna do some ember tetras and maybe cherry shrimp with a betta and I did some research and it said it mostly depends on the betta if I wanted a betta fish in a community tank. Until recently I wanted a veiltail but then I saw a plakat betta and I loved it! I did research and I figured out that plakats are one of the most aggressive bettas out there. Will it fine if I get a chill plakat or will it kill all my fish?

Thanks!

I wouldn't say just because its a plakat does not mean its more aggressive, every betta can be aggressive or chill. I recommend if setting up that tank, you put the ember tetras and cherry shrimp first. But know that cherry shrimp might get gobbled down.

 

Im planning on making a huge colony of shrimp and getting around 8 ember tetras before adding the betta

 

Also note, things may start out good, but also don't be surprised if a month or two down the road you wake up to a tank of dead fish and a prowling betta.

 

I heard that providing a lot of cover will break the line of sight between the betta and the ember tetras and shrimp

 

I heard that providing a lot of cover will break the line of sight between the betta and the ember tetras and shrimp

It helps. But if it is a betta that doesn't want tank mates...doesn't really matter. Always have a back-up plan.

 

I have a 37 gallon right now it is a good back up tank also are plakat bettas found in petco's or petsmart's?
my dad only wants to drive there instead of a REAL LFS

 

Can I find a plakat betta at petco or petsmart or are they rare? Im looking for a HMPK

 

It's been a long while since I went to either store but normally you can find both in either store. The petco in my area has a better selection than petsmart though.

You could also buy online and have them shipped to your. Ebay is generally my go-to if I'm looking for fish. Aquahuna is also a good website for fish.

 

Ok thank you. If I cant find a plakat I will get a veiltail since my parents do not want me to buy fish online

 

Petco i think would be your best shot at finding a plakat, they usually have some in my area. The bettas usually look a lot perkier too than at petsmart. Again, at least in my area.

I do like petsmart though for the fact they usually have a bigger selection of tanks around the 5-10 gal size.

 

I have 2 petsmarts and 1 petco in my area but right now im getting cherry shrimp so I can make a big colony by the time the betta arrives

 

Wow. Can I just say, your parents are awfully stringent and yet they don't seem to know much about fish...

I've been going to my local petco 6 minutes away for the past 9 years. Overall, the bettas there are way healthier, more active, and usually live longer (maybe different breeders? Or different standards.) I had a petco betta live 6 years. Petsmart or walmart bettas always lived less than 2 years for me. Also, petsmart bettas always appear cold and stressed, and although petco doesn't provide heating in their cups, they're almost always active. Sometimes my store has fish with torn fins or emaciation, but generally most of them are very healthy.

If you didn't know, all pet store bettas are shipped from thailand breeders. If you tell your parents that, maybe they'll be more up for getting a betta online.

My favorite online fish stores are aquahuna (very cheap, good fish, great shipping) and aquaticarts (amazing fish, great shipping, not as cheap but definitely worth it.)

If you want a peaceful betta, don't listen to anything anyone says online. Female bettas ARE NOT more peaceful. In fact, I once had 2 males and a female living together in a 12 gal. They thrived for around 5 years. But about 6 of 200 female bettas I've ever bought/rescued (I run a rescue btw) are friendly. And as pkr210 mentioned, long-finned bettas have a hard time swimming but they can still be very territorial. Especially female long-finned bettas in my experience.

However, I really don't want you to disregard a female betta altogether. They're personable, smart, active, curious, funny, and have always had more personality than males (for me, at least.)

Overall, choosing a betta is your choice! Nobody can force you who/what to get. Good luck!

 

Wow. Can I just say, your parents are awfully stringent and yet they don't seem to know much about fish...

I've been going to my local petco 6 minutes away for the past 9 years. Overall, the bettas there are way healthier, more active, and usually live longer (maybe different breeders? Or different standards.) I had a petco betta live 6 years. Petsmart or walmart bettas always lived less than 2 years for me. Also, petsmart bettas always appear cold and stressed, and although petco doesn't provide heating in their cups, they're almost always active. Sometimes my store has fish with torn fins or emaciation, but generally most of them are very healthy.

If you didn't know, all pet store bettas are shipped from thailand breeders. If you tell your parents that, maybe they'll be more up for getting a betta online.

My favorite online fish stores are aquahuna (very cheap, good fish, great shipping) and aquaticarts (amazing fish, great shipping, not as cheap but definitely worth it.)

If you want a peaceful betta, don't listen to anything anyone says online. Female bettas ARE NOT more peaceful. In fact, I once had 2 males and a female living together in a 12 gal. They thrived for around 5 years. But about 6 of 200 female bettas I've ever bought/rescued (I run a rescue btw) are friendly. And as pkr210 mentioned, long-finned bettas have a hard time swimming but they can still be very territorial. Especially female long-finned bettas in my experience.

However, I really don't want you to disregard a female betta altogether. They're personable, smart, active, curious, funny, and have always had more personality than males (for me, at least.)

Overall, choosing a betta is your choice! Nobody can force you who/what to get. Good luck!

Thanks for the wishes and maybe my parents are already tired because there is a hyperactive 3 year old in the house and my dad works even on weekends but other than that they are pretty nice. Also thanks for all that info

 

This is my 10 gallon it does not have enough deco though, what deco can I add? My small java moss piece will grow so then it can provide the shrimp a safe place.