Good trankmates for Betta

smarch

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I've been doing my research looking into tank mates for my male crowntail betta, and the internet keeps giving me the same few options so maybe a few of you guys have some good experience and successes you'd like to give me insight on.
He's in a 10 gal tank, filtered, heated, air stone, uv lights, working on planting.
I plan to get a snail or 2, any experience with how much they will destroy plants even if feed veggies?
I also want a bamboo shrimp because they're so fun to watch, and conditions seem similar to betta requirements.
Other than that I have no real ideas, I read bettas like to be king of the tank and don't like company, so if that's the case I won't get him any swimmers and I'll stick with bottom feeders. I'm unfamiliar with many bottom feeders so that's why I'm asking for help, I'll have to learn types that are compatible out there and their care because it seems like I'll have a lot new to learn.
Also my betta likes to hang out near the bottom sometimes would this cause problems with bottom feeders or would he notice he's not alone and spend less time there. I plan to get a cave and a floating log before introducing anyone as well.
 

ascott

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I would let the Betta be the only fish in the tank...and the snails multiply rapidly...very invasive.
 

Levi the Leopard

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I kept my betta in a heated 10gal with some ghost shrimp, African dwarf frogs and mystery snails. I used sand substrate, real driftwood and lots of plants. Things were fine with that combo. :)
I have since moved my betta into a 125 gallon tank full of different goldfish, silver dollars, a dwarf gourami, a few different tetras and some Cory catfish. It also has sand, rocks, driftwood and lots of plants. The betta has claimed it's territory among a section of driftwood...as has the gourami. I have no problems with the tank mates at all.

So, in a big space, they do fine with other fish. In close quarters, I'd stick to invertebrates.
 

Grandpa Turtle 144

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Many years ago I raised and showed black double tails I took 3rd in California and. 1st in Ohio or the other way around I sold 10 - 6wk old baby's for $45.00 I had people all over the U.S . Getting them . That was 30yrs ago . But 10 gallon rant is way too big you would do better with a 1 gallon tank no filter action be cause Bettas don't like fresh water . Bettas would rather have get a 25 % water change . But good luck with your betta


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katrvt

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I have a betta male in my tropical community 150gallon tank and he gets along fine with everyone. Danios, tetras, angels some bottom feeders and some bolivian ram cichlids.
 

StarSapphire22

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In a ten gallon I'd stick with invertebrates. Mystery snails would work well, since even if your betta gets aggressive towards it it can protect itself. They do not multiply like pond or pest snails, which ascott mentioned. Many people report success with African dwarf frogs...most of the time bettas won't recognize them as a threat because it looks nothing like a fish, but the super agressive ones might have an issue. You know your fish best. Shrimp are often snacks, no matter what kind. I wouldn't risk it.

A good way to ensure success is to introduce your betta last, in a new tank that already contains the other inhabitants. This way he doesn't see the others as invading "his" space. Maybe start a new tank cycling, then add the new inhabitants when it's ready in a few weeks, then add your betta. You can keep your current tank running as a backup in case you need to separate or ever need to quarantine. If all goes smoothly, you can always stock it as a fw community tank or get another betta. Just a thought.
 

smarch

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I kept my betta in a heated 10gal with some ghost shrimp, African dwarf frogs and mystery snails. I used sand substrate, real driftwood and lots of plants. Things were fine with that combo. :)
I have since moved my betta into a 125 gallon tank full of different goldfish, silver dollars, a dwarf gourami, a few different tetras and some Cory catfish. It also has sand, rocks, driftwood and lots of plants. The betta has claimed it's territory among a section of driftwood...as has the gourami. I have no problems with the tank mates at all.

So, in a big space, they do fine with other fish. In close quarters, I'd stick to invertebrates.
I read bettas get along with African Dwarf Frogs but will often jump for their food before the frog even notices it's there, was this ever a problem? And like said before, shrimp often become snacks, I know for my choice of bamboo shrimp this won't be a problematic since the one's I've seen are larger than my betta, but with ghost shrimp specifically because they're smaller? I don't want to buy pets that will end up eaten in their new home by my betta, I plan to have caves and hides to try to prevent this though.
 

smarch

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In a ten gallon I'd stick with invertebrates. Mystery snails would work well, since even if your betta gets aggressive towards it it can protect itself. They do not multiply like pond or pest snails, which ascott mentioned. Many people report success with African dwarf frogs...most of the time bettas won't recognize them as a threat because it looks nothing like a fish, but the super agressive ones might have an issue. You know your fish best. Shrimp are often snacks, no matter what kind. I wouldn't risk it.

A good way to ensure success is to introduce your betta last, in a new tank that already contains the other inhabitants. This way he doesn't see the others as invading "his" space. Maybe start a new tank cycling, then add the new inhabitants when it's ready in a few weeks, then add your betta. You can keep your current tank running as a backup in case you need to separate or ever need to quarantine. If all goes smoothly, you can always stock it as a fw community tank or get another betta. Just a thought.

It was the mystery snails I was looking at, and I read they reproduce readily but that you get a good week or so to notice and remove the eggs, so I was going to get a pair and then probably get another pair once I get used to their care routine.
I definitely know dropping new fish in would not work at all even though he's never seemed too aggressive. Even when I'd introduce a new fish when it was my goldfish in the tank (yeah in the end the fact that I couldn't really keep more than 1 in there without spiking ammonia and nitrates is why I now have my betta in there) I had to take him out to rearrange all the plants and decorations or he'd chase the new guy around the tank. I keep two 1 gallon tanks that used to house other bettas that I've kept empty to use as hospital tanks and quarantine before introduction, so I could put the betta into one of them for a week or so while tank tanked time to adjust and so does the betta. In a perfect world I'd have the space to get a 50gal or more and make the 10 my hospital tank, but I live with my parents and space is not there for big tanks, they were mad when I got my 10!
I didn't get much research in but would a pleco fit in? I read the bristlenose pleco only gets 2-4in. I know not to get a common pleco, I've sadly seen a fully grown one dropped off at my petco, poor fish wouldn't have even fit in my tank. I didn't do too much research on conditions yet but I used to have some obscure form of pleco and they had similar conditions to bettas.
Just a side note I have no intention of having all these bottom feeding fish to play clean up and I know a lot don't, I just want fish that will get along with the betta and they mostly fit the bill. I know a lot of people believe they can play clean up but in.fact make more mess, so I just want to make sure I'm clear on that one :)
 

smarch

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Many years ago I raised and showed black double tails I took 3rd in California and. 1st in Ohio or the other way around I sold 10 - 6wk old baby's for $45.00 I had people all over the U.S . Getting them . That was 30yrs ago . But 10 gallon rant is way too big you would do better with a 1 gallon tank no filter action be cause Bettas don't like fresh water . Bettas would rather have get a 25 % water change . But good luck with your betta


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While it may not mimic natural betta settings I've found that for all my bettas the set up now has definitely worked best for them. I mean yeah you have more experience than me for sure, but from my own personal.experience bettas I've kept in gallon tanks or unfiltered were never active and just sat in one spot, bettas I've kept in the 10 or even divided 10 swim around and almost frolicking seeming to be much happier. Thats my experience with my bettas maybe I just get the weirdos :) I mean I'll get ones that go out of their way to swim at the filter current then turn around and shoot across the tank! And they do it more than once so it a like they enjoy it.
 

Levi the Leopard

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My 2 ghost shrimp were never eaten. I can't even tell you how long they lived....but they sure did live a looooong time. It wasn't until the move into the 125 that they became food.
The frogs ate just fine. Never had a problem feeding them. I fed a varied diet. Flakes, pelleted food, freeze dried and lots of different frozen stuff. Obviously the frogs didn't eat all of that but the betta did. Again, I never had an issue.

I couldn't keep mystery snails though. I went through half a dozen, maybe more. They would lay eggs and then die. Or lay eggs then leave the tank and I'd find them on the carpet somewhere dead.... So I stopped even trying to keep them.
 

StarSapphire22

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Bristlenose plecos are more like 6-8 inches. I never recommend plecos of any kind unless you have a big tank and are committed to the individual needs of that fish...driftwood for rasping, different dietary requirements, etc. (And on a side note, you really need at least 20 gallons for a goldfish...I had 5 in a 75 and that was pushing it.)

Mystery snails need an inch or so of air between the water level and top of the tank (that little lip on the inside). This is where they will go to breathe and where they will lay their eggs. You'll see a clump of eggs that can be scraped off with a razor blade, frozen, and disposed of. Mine never did lay eggs and never tried to escape, though one of the two tanks I kept them in had a hood. Mine only ever died because of a system crash I had once and one got stuck in a powerhead intake (make sure you cover those). Everyone has different experiences but I was generally successful.

I think your plan to move to a one gallon for a little while is fine, but make sure it cycles first and that your 10 gallon has completely adjusted to the new bioload before bringing the betta back. You should also rearrange the tank (maybe some new plants or decorations too) before re-introducing the betta so that it doesn't seem like "home." While your betta is in the one gallon, you should be doing 75% water changes pretty much every day.

Regarding Grandpa's advice...while given with good intentions, fishkeeping, much like tortoise care, has evolved considerably in 30 years. What "worked" then, does not any longer. It's simply incorrect. Bettas do best in 5-10 gallon tanks when kept alone (though large and I mean LARGE community setups like previous members mentioned also can work). They need a light filtration...powerful enough to help out your tank but without putting an extreme current in the tank, which makes it difficult for them to swim with their long fins. I personally like the aquaclear brand because not only is the filter flipping awesome (and helps provide phenomenal biofiltration in a HOB filter) but the flow is adjustable. If you notice your fish getting knocked around, you can turn it down. In a properly cycled and properly stocked tank, 50% water changes once per week are adequate. Heavily stocked tanks, newer tanks, etc. may require more. A properly cycled, low stocked tank may require less. If you're not sure I recommend testing daily for 1-2 months and recording the results in a notebook. API's liquid Master Freshwater kit is an invaluable tool and much more accurate than the strips...it will also last you much longer. You can purchase it inexpensively on Amazon, for about half retail usually. Tracking your tank's cycle can give you some great insight to how to maintain it.

People think fish are an easy or "low-maintenance" pet. When I hear this I laugh. You literally are responsible for monitoring every single thing about their environment. You can toss a hamster in a cage, give it food and water and it can live. It breathes the same air you do or and there are no toxic chemicals harming it...it thrives at room temperature and can regulate it's own body heat. Fish are much more complicated. You literally must create a little world for these creatures. But that is part of the fun. :)
 

smarch

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My 2 ghost shrimp were never eaten. I can't even tell you how long they lived....but they sure did live a looooong time. It wasn't until the move into the 125 that they became food.
The frogs ate just fine. Never had a problem feeding them. I fed a varied diet. Flakes, pelleted food, freeze dried and lots of different frozen stuff. Obviously the frogs didn't eat all of that but the betta did. Again, I never had an issue.

I couldn't keep mystery snails though. I went through half a dozen, maybe more. They would lay eggs and then die. Or lay eggs then leave the tank and I'd find them on the carpet somewhere dead.... So I stopped even trying to keep them.

Ok so I should be ok with the ghost shrimp, I mean sure I wouldn't feel terribly bad if one became a snack here and there since they're often sold as feeders, but I want them for pets not feeders so it's good to know up I never had a problem. I'm probably going to get around 4 when I get to it since I hear they produce very little waste, and I feel being smaller there's safety in numbers ;-)
I've used flakes, pellets, and freeze dried foods, and algae wafers, in fact have all of them, but never frozen, what kinds of frozen are there and how to they work? I actually didnt know they made frozen fish food, thought the freezers were just reptile foods lol.
I used to have 2 snails when it was still a goldfish tank, tin foiled up the hole by the filter to prevent escape. Both didn't last long however since I was ignorant and didn't look up care and assumed they'd eat left ever junk, so I'm not sure if given proper conditions I can keep them, but that's why before I get a few I just want a single pair as a "test" this time having a ton of plants as options (once I plant more and they all grow bigger) and veggies. I'm a little nervous about the eggs but I find the snails so fascinating!
 

smarch

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Bristlenose plecos are more like 6-8 inches. I never recommend plecos of any kind unless you have a big tank and are committed to the individual needs of that fish...driftwood for rasping, different dietary requirements, etc. (And on a side note, you really need at least 20 gallons for a goldfish...I had 5 in a 75 and that was pushing it.)

Mystery snails need an inch or so of air between the water level and top of the tank (that little lip on the inside). This is where they will go to breathe and where they will lay their eggs. You'll see a clump of eggs that can be scraped off with a razor blade, frozen, and disposed of. Mine never did lay eggs and never tried to escape, though one of the two tanks I kept them in had a hood. Mine only ever died because of a system crash I had once and one got stuck in a powerhead intake (make sure you cover those). Everyone has different experiences but I was generally successful.

I think your plan to move to a one gallon for a little while is fine, but make sure it cycles first and that your 10 gallon has completely adjusted to the new bioload before bringing the betta back. You should also rearrange the tank (maybe some new plants or decorations too) before re-introducing the betta so that it doesn't seem like "home." While your betta is in the one gallon, you should be doing 75% water changes pretty much every day.

Regarding Grandpa's advice...while given with good intentions, fishkeeping, much like tortoise care, has evolved considerably in 30 years. What "worked" then, does not any longer. It's simply incorrect. Bettas do best in 5-10 gallon tanks when kept alone (though large and I mean LARGE community setups like previous members mentioned also can work). They need a light filtration...powerful enough to help out your tank but without putting an extreme current in the tank, which makes it difficult for them to swim with their long fins. I personally like the aquaclear brand because not only is the filter flipping awesome (and helps provide phenomenal biofiltration in a HOB filter) but the flow is adjustable. If you notice your fish getting knocked around, you can turn it down. In a properly cycled and properly stocked tank, 50% water changes once per week are adequate. Heavily stocked tanks, newer tanks, etc. may require more. A properly cycled, low stocked tank may require less. If you're not sure I recommend testing daily for 1-2 months and recording the results in a notebook. API's liquid Master Freshwater kit is an invaluable tool and much more accurate than the strips...it will also last you much longer. You can purchase it inexpensively on Amazon, for about half retail usually. Tracking your tank's cycle can give you some great insight to how to maintain it.

People think fish are an easy or "low-maintenance" pet. When I hear this I laugh. You literally are responsible for monitoring every single thing about their environment. You can toss a hamster in a cage, give it food and water and it can live. It breathes the same air you do or and there are no toxic chemicals harming it...it thrives at room temperature and can regulate it's own body heat. Fish are much more complicated. You literally must create a little world for these creatures. But that is part of the fun. :)

Alright no pleco then, I figured the internet sources may not be right. Especially with the common ones growing so large I didn't see a cousin species so small. And the goldfish was one I'd won at the fair, he was the first fish I had not a betta, that night I won him I went out and decided I wanted a 1 gallon tank (not because of the filter, just because I liked it) that decision saved that fishes life. He lived in that tank for about 9 months, with another goldfish at one point, and glofish at another. Then I got the 10 gallon. He was only about 4 inches at his largest so by the standards I had read at the time he would have been fine alone. He lived almost 3 years! Eventually some fungal infection got him, levels had been fine though so it was wierd since none of the medications worked either. But yeah after him I had a few others who only made a few months so I gave up and switched.
I don't plan to rearrange much while he's moved away since I don't want to uproot my plants but I plan to plant more and add shelters and decorations while he's absent. And that's a lot of changes while in the 1gal, I used to do half ones weekly, well now i know.
I have a tetra 20 gal filter for my tank (got it so big due to goldfish!) He's never shown problems and just avoids the area right in font of it the majority of the time. And I've only ever really checked for ammonia and nitrates so when I get the api test set(I was already looking into that and the one for plants) I may decide I need a new filter. Because while I've gotten good about the care for the fish the water stuff is a whole new world to start learning.

Fish are "easy and low maintenance" when you're ignorant of all the proper care. I mean I'm STILL learning things and I've had fish for 4 years now. I started off a pretty awful fish keeper, betta bowls, and have come to knowing the 10gal is all that's really good for one (or 2 I've had it divided with 2 still happy) then I recently started planting for the benefits and naturallity, whole bunch of new stuff!! Had them before and failed, didn't know you had to feed them! And got these and then realized all the "light" needed sites never explained into were Sun lamps! So yeah there is for sure nothing easy about fish at all. I've only started really thinking and learning because of how I learned to come here for any questions on Franklin, because it's always about what's best for the pet.
 

smarch

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Thank you everyone for your answers to this! I have a lot to think about and to start getting in the hang of testing everything, but I pretty much have a good idea of what I'll be getting now. One last question: I know many bottom feeders are larger waste producers than consumers, how are shrimp in terms of that? I know snails produce very little waste, but I'd like to know so I have a general idea of how many will be the perfect amount and will know how much it will effect the need for cleaning process (although I assume the test kit will tell me that!)
 

StarSapphire22

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Mystery snails produce quite a lot of waste (relative to their size), it's just harder to see.

For a ten gallon, I'd say these are your options:

1 betta
1 ADF
2 snails OR 5 shrimp

1 betta
2 snails
8 shrimp
 

smarch

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Mystery snails produce quite a lot of waste (relative to their size), it's just harder to see.

For a ten gallon, I'd say these are your options:

1 betta
1 ADF
2 snails OR 5 shrimp

1 betta
2 snails
8 shrimp

I read from a few sources mystery snails produce very little waste which is why people are able to keep a large amount in tanks of just snails, so I'm glad you've clarified this for me! I'll probably stick with the second option because there's less a chance I'll have both male and female snails, and if the shrimp reproduce my betta would most likely take care of that.
When snail owners here feed their snails do they feed fresh veggies or the pet store "algae weed" like packaged food (kind of looks like a sheet of beef jerky but is greens)? I feel like the fresh stuff is a lot better, and read they love romaine, for the 2 how often and how much would I put in? And do they need a varied diet of different veggies as well?
Do shrimps eat algae wafers? How many tablets would feed them while not clouding my tank, I had problems using wafers in the past.
 

smarch

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If you're not sure I recommend testing daily for 1-2 months and recording the results in a notebook. API's liquid Master Freshwater kit is an invaluable tool and much more accurate than the strips...it will also last you much longer. You can purchase it inexpensively on Amazon, for about half retail usually. Tracking your tank's cycle can give you some great insight to how to maintain it.
I Ordered the test kit today so with my 2-day shipping it'll be here ready to start work in no time :)
 

Tom

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I have kept bettas with all sorts of other types of community fish in everything from bowls to 135s. Its usually the beta that gets picked on, unless the other fish resembles a betta.

My preference is to house them alone, and I've had no trouble keeping them alive and well in still 1 gallon bowls or large canister filtered big tanks with other fish.
 

Levi the Leopard

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Thought you might enjoy some of my photos. :) I broke down the 10gallon when I moved most of the stock into the 125gallon..

2ytr4eu.jpg


fz86mr.jpg


9fwe2v.jpg
 

CourtneyG

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My beta is a lovely full white crowntail that I keep with neon and glo tetras with a blue light on them. You can get loaches, dwarf water frogs(I only know their Afrikaans name, not the English one) most bottom level and mid tank fish actually work though.
 
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