Would a Betta do well?

I have a betta in my room currently and a 33 gal. tank down stairs. I was wondering if a betta would do well with the fish in my 33 gal. If you want to know what they are just look down under the '33 gallon tank' list at the bottom of my topic. If anyone could give some advice on any other things that go well with a betta feel free to post it on this topic. Thanks.

 

No. Bettas only do well with corys and otos.

 

I htink that community sounds a bit too "busy" to be suitable for a Betta.  Also it would be hard to make sure the Betta got the right food with all those other faster fish.  Ans some of the fish are potentially aggressive.  So I wouldn't do it, but let's see what others say.  Was there any particular reason you want to move Mr Betta?

 

Some of those fish could be attacked by the betta (the platties for instance) while the chinese algae eater has a reputation when older for attacking other fish to eat stuff off their bodies. Bettas are not particularly fast all the time--they can sprint, as it were, but can't marathon--so they might be in some danger there.

Bettas tend to be a little aggressive with any tank mates and so you want to stay away from any fish that resemble bettas like platties (who look a little like female bettas) or angelfish and swordtails (with long fins that might resemble a male betta).

Generally (all bettas are individuals and their reaction may vary) good fish for bettas are: oto catfish, corydoras catfish, bloodfin and neon tetras (watch this as they may fin nip but no one I know on here who's tried these has had that problem). Apparently larger gouramis that are peaceful are okay but I'd really watch that one. (because the idea is that the gouramis won't see the bettas as rivals but won't be in danger from them. however they are similar species and I wouldn't try it myself) Snails and dwarf african frogs should be okay. I would stick with peaceful bottom dwellers that are given a decent place to hide, ideally nocturnal ones like otos, perhaps small peaceful fast fish like neons, bloodfins or possibly cardinal tetras, and definitely snails or dwarf african frogs.

 

I would have to say that the Rasboras may work as they are small and quick fish. They are not reported to be aggressive or fin nippers so you may be okay. Your tank is big enough for the school of them. Platies are a problem on two levels. It is true that they resemble some forms of female betta, but lately we have had some reports of them being terrible little fin nippers to the betta. The tetra (neon) has been noted as a pesky little fin nipper and since you only have one he is going to be even more likely to be looking for something to follow. The shark and the Betta together would not work due to the fact that both are territorial and aggressive about it.

The thing about the smaller fish, if they become fin nippers, the betta does not recognize them as threats and will not defend himself and thus, let them do it. This will, I promise, end up with one horrible case of infected fins and fin rot.

Now, I only have one thing that I must respectfully disagree with poefox on, otherwise his advice is excellent. Under no circumstances should any Gourami be put in the same tank with a Betta, in my opinion and in the opinions of several of the books that I have read. You see, a Betta is a Gourami, and they are both aggressive fish to males of their own species. Now, they do tend to see each other as a male of their own species. We have had recently, on this forum, members who have lost a Gourami to a Betta, and a Betta to a Gourami.

It is still the choice of any fish owner to do with his/her tanks as they choose, but it is the goal of this forum to see that you have the information to make the decision as informed as possible. If you decide to make a try at adding the betta, be aware that bettas have never been in communities. They have been alone almost since birth. It is going to be stressful to the fish to put him into a group of rapidly moving fish that already have their territories established and ask him to work in. If you were putting him into a tank with even 4 or 5 peaceful and quiet fish, I would say that you have a great chance of success; but I am not sure that your betta will make a really satisfactory bridge to this new way of life.

I believe I would go for a tank a bit smaller with quiet companions like Otos, Cories, and perhaps some of the quieter types of tetras (like the ones poefox recommended). But if you add the tetras watch them for a bit to make sure that they do not nip. Neons are the ones who are the most likely culprits but I do not know about the others.

Welcome to our Board. If your would like to introduce your betta to the community, we would love to meet him. It is our pleasure to meet you and hope you enjoy Fishlore.com as much as we all do. It is a really fine place to come and spend time with people who love their fish.

Rose

 

I do not like to advocate anything that may endanger your fish, but from my own experience I have successfully kept a male Betta in a planted 30 gallon community tank without any problems. This tank has dwarf gouramis, platies, mollies, guppies, barbs, danios, white clouds, shrimp, a swordtail and an angelfish. It's really a shoot when trying to determine if there will be problems with a Betta in a community tank. It really depends on many factors.

 

I think I'd add to what the others have just said by pointing out that bettas are raised in a weird environment where they only see other fish in small containers isolated like themselves. They have little idea, I think, of how to deal with sharing space with other fish. So it also very much depends on the betta's personality.

 

Wow. Thanks you guys. I was curious because he looked like he was starting to get really bored in his little tank all by himself since his little ghost shrimp friend died sometime last week. I wasn't really going to transfer him anyways, like I said, I was just curious and he would bring some nice different colors to the tank (dark blues and bright reds and a little bit of greens). Thanks again for all your advice for even those who are also thinking of adding their Betta to their community tank.
Tom

 

If he's bored you could always get a snail for the tank. The mystery snails are hardy, betta friendly and useful. The betta will regard them with curiousity now and then but leave them alone.

 

I am probably just going to get another ghost shrimp. The last one lived for about 2 months with the Betta. Thanks anyways.
Tom

 

Well I am really surprised that you are having luck with a shrimp. You must have a pretty laid back little fellow. Shrimp is usually a meal for a betta .... YUM.

Good for you.

Rose

 

Thanks. Ya my Betta is pretty laid back. It just sits in the tank until I feed it. Now what is amazing, is that I trained it to find the food where a laser pointer light is. Don't worry, as soon as it reaches the food I turn it off. Thanks again.
Tom

 

if he is mellow enough to be around shrimp he would probly be fine with livebearers...but there is always a risk.

 

Ya, I agree. But I will just let him get his special food in his own little tank. He will also have a little ghost shrimp friend in with him by the end of next week when I go to my lfs.
Tom