Does a male betta work in my tank?

[jarrodaden]

My current tank is described below.

[Fire_chair]

The tetras could nip his fins, but it could work too. I'd say go for it.

[PhishPhreek]

Bettas like slow moving water & hiding places (plants)

It's hit or miss with tankmates. I've had some loaches that were fin nippers and sometimes there is a fast moving fish that becomes a problem. But you just have to try.

[Mzungu]

I would also say go for it! Remember to QT...!

[OrandaMan]

My Miyamoto dearly LOVES his community tank (danios, white clouds and guppies). He is the most laid back member of the community and it's a VERY peaceful community. His only thing is demanding special treatment. I have to put food in for the rest (which he ignores, continuing to wait at the top), then drop pellets for him one by one in front of him, which he'll take his time eating then come up for another. Little bugger makes me stand there until he swims away, disinterested. Totally worth it, though. And it lets me feed him the special betta food I have rather than the normal tropical food.

And he actually likes to play with the filters - the other day, I looked at the tank and freaked out when I saw him plastered against the intake of the internal filter. I was like, "holy crap!" and then when I walked up to the tank, he swam away from it to greet me as he always does.

Weird little fish. And I expected none of it. I have another thread here from when I had no choice but to put him in the community tank. I was ready for disaster and it turned out to be the best thing. I think if I kept him alone now, he'd get depressed.

[jarrodaden]

So far, the interaction seems to be limited to a little playful activity. The loaches are initiating the interaction as much if not more so than the betta.

The tank is more interesting to watch and so far nobody appears to be getting hurt.

[Mzungu]

:(

So, no QT? Just keep a good eye on everyone in the next couple of weeks. :)

[daviesri]

I have kept bettas with my other community fish (neons, cardinals, rummy's, rasboras, roselines, discus) in a 72 and 50 gallon tanks and they did not care. I should not say that, I had one lone guppy that had pretty fins that got the betta kind of excited (gave the guppy away). They showed some interest in the neons, but bettas are not built for speed so they soon lost interest. The betta's loved swimming around the big tanks.

[jarrodaden]

My betta has retreated to isolation after being very active in the tank. There doesn't seem to be any signs of a fight / damage though.

[mhx]

I think you willl be fine. I have a 10G with a male beta, 3 oto's and 5 tetra.. no problems.

my beta likes to hide in penny wart on surface of the water. He sleeps on it.

Yours prob just needs a day or so to adjust to the new tank he will be fine.. Beta's are hardy

[Fire_chair]

He may just be shy, too. Some are very outgoing like a dog, and some are like cats....

[Gapzero]

Thats true, they have very different personalities. Anabantids are my favorites and all of mine have individual personalities. Remember though, just because a betta tolerates the community tank does not always mean he enjoys it. You can tell in about a 3 days if he has a community attitude or not. If not, long term success will be impossible.

[jarrodaden]

I noticed with the lights down he is venturing into the bottom of the tank.

Those banded loach are very active (but seemingly in a playful way). I think the other fish find their speed and sudden turns a little intimidating.

[OrandaMan]

How's it going in your tank?

[jarrodaden]

I was out this weekend, but when I returned I checked on everyone. I was suprised to see him under the rocks hiding in the loaches favorite spot.

I think he will be just fine.