Tank mates for betta? (5.5 gallon)

Since my last betta died 4 months ago from some unknown issues of bloating, I got an exact copy of the same betta. A younger male this time, that has no feeding issues. However, this betta is younger and more aggressive. Keeping him in the 5.5 gallons is alright but I notice that the fish gets bored. To remedy his boredom, I transfer him from time to time for a few days to the 20 gallons with the Harlequin Rasboras, Black Ruby Barbs, Celestial Pearl Danios, and the Corydoras. Now I could keep him in there like I did with my previous betta for 6 months, but there are problems.. No its not the Barbs. He is too aggressive and hunts the Barbs, giving them no peace. Only one Barb occasionally nips him when he gets too annoying, but both mutually avoid eachother.

There is yet an other problem. The 5.5 gallons gets algae. It has been through all sorts of algae issues in the past, but now I have green hair algae everywhere. Its so annoying. Many times the Betta gets trapped in the green hair algae. So... I need something that can live in a 5.5 gallon tank, with a betta to keep him company, that will eat algae and won't get eaten or attacked by the betta.I love shrimp but the betta will definetly hunt them.. I mean common, he attacks Barbs twice his size. When the lights get turned off, he goes straight at them and bites them.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

I would not put any fish into a 5 gallon with a betta. A nerite snail is a good addition as they are known to vacuum up algae like no tomorrow. Just make sure you keep on top of water changes because all snails will produce a lot of waste. You will however have to provide additional food for the nerite in the form of something like snello. It will not be healthy if all it eats is algae. You will also need to know your water hardness [kh and gh].

The best solution is to just figure out what is causing the algae and correct it.

 

I would not put any fish into a 5 gallon with a betta. A nerite snail is a good addition as they are known to vacuum up algae like no tomorrow. Just make sure you keep on top of water changes because all snails will produce a lot of waste. You will however have to provide additional food for the nerite in the form of something like snello. It will not be healthy if all it eats is algae. You will also need to know your water hardness [kh and gh].

The best solution is to just figure out what is causing the algae and correct it.

Yeah, I am watching him right now harassing the Barbs. Perhaps I could do snails and shrimp. But how could I prolong the life of the shrimps. Last time I had a shrimp that starved to death even though the tank was fully of algae. The tank has plenty of plants but I feel like maybe If I do the shrimps I would have to burry into the sand some tubes so they can hide underground until the lights come off. The issue is that last time with the old betta that lone Amano survivor would not dare come out of the plants.

The issue is not only algae. It's mainly the bored betta. I like the attention he gives me and I play with him when I have free time. But its not a puppy and it can lay down on the sand for hours out of boredom. So I need to give him some company. Right now he is looking for trouble but it's far better than by himself.

 

What behaviours is he exhibiting that make you think he is bored? Bettas are a solitary species and very territorial so they do not need company. In addition, transferring him between tanks is incredibly stressful, not to mention you run the risk of damaging his fins in the process if you're netting him. It's also extremely stressful for your other fish that he is harassing and chasing, why would you subject them to that? Stress is the one of the biggest causes of disease in fish because it weakens their immune systems, I would stop literally everything you are doing.

 

I'd say snails, maybe (MAYBE) some small shrimp.
Snails are a pretty good choice because they'll help with the algae and have a shell that'll protect them from the betta, however you'll have to watch out for overpopulation and high nitrate levels.
Shrimp are a possibility, however they won't help a lot with algae and the betta has a better chance of killing them.

 

I would suggest Nerite snails (as they are easy and do not breed in freshwater so no overpopulation issues) or/and some Amano Shrimp (They are slightly larger than the Cherries, brilliant cleaners and do not breed in freshwater.)
If adding shrimp, I would suggest you only add a few to start with because some Betta's will kill shrimp. My first boy was pretty aggressive towards some fish but never ever bothered any of the Shrimp in his tank, would actually follow them around because he knew they were good at finding food.

 

I would say add shrimp and see how it goes.