Should I Move My Betta It's Own Tank?

Hello! I recently got my first tank, and I just added my new fish to it over the weekend. I had originally got 2 black and silver molly's, 1 mickey mouse platy, and 1 plecostomus, but my mom and I decided to add a Betta to the tank a day later. I'm aware that Betta's are very aggressive fish, but some reading and asking had told me that it was still possible for them to live with other fish as long as there is enough space and their needs are met.

I know that since it's only been a few days, my fish are most likely still getting used to their environment, but I'm very worried because my betta does not seem to be eating. I've been feeding my molly's and platy tropical flakes twice a day and my plecostomus bottom feeder shrimp pellets once a day right before bedtime. During these feedings, my betta had taken nibbles at the flakes and pellets but spit them right out and now just avoids them. I had purchased dried bloodworms today to see if the betta would eat those, but once again, he took a nibble and spit them out.
I will be getting Tetra Betta Worm Shaped Bites tomorrow (ordered off Amazon), but I was wondering if my Betta's appetite was caused by stress rather than being picky over food?

I currently hold my 4 other fish and Betta in a 20 gallon tank and I really want every single one of them to be happy in it. I'm not sure if I need to get more fake plants or places to hide, or if I need to just move the betta into it's own tank.

I apologize for the lengthy description, but I'm very worried and I can't seem to find anything article that helps with my specific scenario.

Thank you in advance for any help or advice!

Ah, I forgot to include! I had my water tested by PetSmart before bringing home the betta, and I was told everything was alright except for a lower PH level which should level out over time.

 

If the tank is new and not cycled, you're going to have issues. And depending on the pleco type, you may want to return it asap. Common plecos reach 2 FEET in length.

The betta is probably the least of your worries as far as its aggression. Bettas can actually make great community tank members depending on the tank setup and other fish in it. My biggest worry right now is if the tank is cycled. If it isnt, you're going to have problems very soon.

Secondly, bettas are carnivores. Its not going to care for flake food and flake food isn't generally good for it. Brine shrimp, blood worms, mosquito larvae, daphnia, etc., are a FAR better choice. If you have to use "food in a can", get it some good betta pellets and pre soak them before feeding (I don't know the food you have ordered). Its easier for the betta to digest. LOTS of health problem arise in bettas who aren't fed properly. It might be stress, it might be what you're feeding it, it might be the water parameters. Bettas are not a hardy fish and are effected easily by elevated ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.

 

We had our water tested by Petsmart before putting adding the betta and was told that our water would be okay. I've been told that their strip tests aren't very accurate though, should I purchase a test kit for myself to double check? We didn't cycle the tank for too long though, so I have considered that as a possible problem, but I'm not sure what I should do now that the fish are already in the tank. What would you recommend me to do?

As for the pleco, the plecostomus is a bristlenose, which I believe don't grow past 6-7 inches.

I have tried feeding my betta freeze dried bloodworms (from Tetra), and he completely ignored it at first. My other fish ended up eating them, and I had to add another tap before my betta swam up for a taste. He seemingly spit it back out immediately and swam underneath the pile for a bit before swimming back away. I will be getting betta pellets tomorrow, and I will try pre soaking them, thank you! I appreciate the reply.

 

Freeze-dried blood worms are more of a treat than an actual regular food source.
If you can't get live food or frozen food, try and find food specifically made for bettas and try and get a food with a minimum crude protein of 40-45%, and try to find one with little fillers. I recommend NewLife Spectrum, but my bettas have also enjoyed National Geographic betta pellets and HikarI freeze-dried blood worms and brine shrimp.

 

Freeze-dried blood worms are more of a treat than an actual regular food source.
If you can't get live food or frozen food, try and find food specifically made for bettas and try and get a food with a minimum crude protein of 40-45%, and try to find one with little fillers. I recommend NewLife Spectrum, but my bettas have also enjoyed National Geographic betta pellets and HikarI freeze-dried blood worms and brine shrimp.

I understand that, but the fact that it's a treat and he's refusing it worries me even more!
But thank you for the recommendation, if the Tetra branded pellets don't work tomorrow, I will definitely check out your suggestions!

 

You say you didnt cycle your tank for too long. What exactly does that mean? It usually takes 4-6 WEEKS to cycle a tank. If its been only a few, it might not be registering anything as its too young, so it would "look" okay. If that's the case, you are going to have serious issues very soon, regardless of what the store tells you. Definitely buy the API Master Test kit and start testing the ammonia and nitrites daily.

Bristlenose usually get 4-6", so a 20 will be about the minimum tank size youd want it in. They have a LARGE bioload and are a messy fish.

 

You say you didnt cycle your tank for too long. What exactly does that mean? It usually takes 4-6 WEEKS to cycle a tank. If its been only a few, it might not be registering anything as its too young, so it would "look" okay. If that's the case, you are going to have serious issues very soon, regardless of what the store tells you. Definitely buy the API Master Test kit and start testing the ammonia and nitrites daily.

Bristlenose usually get 4-6", so a 20 will be about the minimum tank size youd want it in. They have a LARGE bioload and are a messy fish.

Do you know what I could do if the ammonia and nitrates do come back up on this test kit? What would I do with the fish, or can they stay while I fix it? A friend ended up convincing me to move out my betta to a 5 gallon tank, so I'm not sure if I can keep my betta in my 20 gal tank while that cycles, or what my other options are.

I apologize if these sound like very newbie-like questions! I really do want the best for my fish.

 

We had a betta on a 10 gallon, tried to add some baby neons and snails, snails died and the neons didnt get along with the betta. One died of stress, one died because my betta kills him. We moved them all to a 20 gallon chill community tank with tetras and an alge eater, kept betta alone. He's much happier. Mine was developing stress marks within 1 day of adding new fish. He was clearly happier when he was alone again

 

We had a betta on a 10 gallon, tried to add some baby neons and snails, snails died and the neons didnt get along with the betta. One died of stress, one died because my betta kills him. We moved them all to a 20 gallon chill community tank with tetras and an alge eater, kept betta alone. He's much happier. Mine was developing stress marks within 1 day of adding new fish. He was clearly happier when he was alone again

Ah thank you for sharing, I plan on moving my betta as soon as I can get another small tank prepared and ready. May I ask how big your betta tank is? I'm considering either 5 or 10 gallons at the moment.

 

Ah thank you for sharing, I plan on moving my betta as soon as I can get another small tank prepared and ready. May I ask how big your betta tank is? I'm considering either 5 or 10 gallons at the moment.

I know it sounds like a cool idea to have a community tank with a betta fish but it probably will not work. Our betta fish is in a 10 gallon all by himself and he couldn't be happier but I'm sure a 5 will suffice, more the better

 

I know it sounds like a cool idea to have a community tank with a betta fish but it probably will not work. Our betta fish is in a 10 gallon all by himself and he couldn't be happier but I'm sure a 5 will suffice, more the better

Yeah I get it, I just read so many articles mentioning bettas as additions for community tanks that I got a bit too excited. Though I'm now excited for the betta to move in to his new home, if that's what will make him happy! I'll consider getting a 10 gallon if I can

 

Yeah I get it, I just read so many articles mentioning bettas as additions for community tanks that I got a bit too excited. Though I'm now excited for the betta to move in to his new home, if that's what will make him happy! I'll consider getting a 10 gallon if I can

I know me and my wife thought the same exact thing lol, we started out this hobby with a little betta fish in a vase. Now I have a 20 gallon and the 10. Haha. Try to get used If you can, a lot cheaper. Check craigslist and buy sell groups

 

My three bettas I've had so far have all done well with my otocinclus. They've acted all uniquely to the situation, though. The first had a very laid-back personality and couldn't care about any tankmates. He was very sweet. The second was more aggressive, but he only took one nip of a tankmate and that was it, he kind of understood that they weren't going to do anything. The third and current was most concerning so I kept watch carefully, but he lost interest in chasing aggressively at them. As long as they don't fly into him or go into his face, he likes to watch them. He'll swim right up to them and look, but then he'll go and find something else to do.

Personally, I think a lot of it is personality, and also giving time for your betta to adjust to its surroundings. Certain tank mates can trigger a betta absolutely, especially if they're bigger, colourful or fast fish.

 

Bettas usually do well in communities, at least in my experience. Ive had them with all sorts of fish in all sorts of tanks up to 55 gallons and RARELY had problems due to the betta being aggressive. And I'm talking different types of tetras, guppies, platys, mollies, gouramies, hatchetfish, tiger barbs, baby oscars, baby angelfish, baby silver dollars, danios, corys, plecos, comets and other fish I can't think of right now. It depends 100% on what the tank is setup like (a small tank with hardly any decoration isn't good), how the fish are introduced (dont put an adult betta in a 10 gallon for a year then add guppies) and the fishes attitude.

As far as what to do now, water changes. Big ones, daily, if necessary. The tank water needs to stay healthy and free from ammonia and nitrites.

 

Here is an article on the nitrogen cycle that will be helpful in understanding what to do if there is ammonia and nitrites:
Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle