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New Tank for New Fish

18K views 13 replies 6 participants last post by  ashenwelt 
#1 ·
Hey all,

Cycling a Spec V (rapidly), and I will be scaping and planting it this week. Then shrimp (to give them a chance) and then fish.

I will be getting a halfmoon dumbo for this setting but I am considering some dither fish.

What fish do you keep with your Bettas, if any? I was looking at Celestial Pearl Danios or Endlers.

Next off... this will be my fist betta since the 80s. Anything I should be reading or looking out for?

Thanks!



Rob aka Ashenwelt - Back in the aquaria hobby. Always searching...
 
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#3 ·
Typically I wouldn't recommend keeping bettas with fish that are very colorful or have long fins, as the betta might be tempted to nip at them more. I tried keeping my betta with endlers once, and it didn't end very well for either the endlers or betta. That said, no two fish are the same, but I would still be cautious and do research before putting a betta in with other fish.
 
#4 ·
That tank's not big enough for any other fish; snail or shrimp should be OK, just watch your parameters. CPD's need colder, lower pH water than is optimal for betta but betta are very adaptable so it would be possible in a larger tank if they got along OK, and there's a good chance they wouldn't. If you wanted to keep a betta with CPDs, you'd need a 20g tank as well as a backup tank (like your 5g) in case you need to separate the betta.
 
#6 ·
Well, had a different Betta planned and ended up going to a store in San Diego that had somewhere between 50 and 100 male bettas on display (and then many females). We came home with a new Betta! We seen a dumbo that was INSANELY active. Darn near tetra or guppy active.

So how did he take the tank? He is always swimming all over searching. Diving into the different mosses (yes, there are 4, Java, X-Mas, Willow and Pellia) or sneaking under the java ferns. He periodically chases his neighbors (endlers). Actually appears to play in the current (I swear he is sometimes using it for back runs by swimming up to the output jet). And I swear he is the most active Betta I have seen; he is always wanting to play in the moss or under the plants... or dive through the rocks (or hide in or on one). He is always searching. Oddly, the shrimp are still poping up, though nowhere to the level pre my new dumbos investigations (even though he usually swims right by).

Over all very excited.

And no name yet. He does come check me out periodically.
 

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#7 ·
Hi there, welcome back to the hobby.

Be very careful with those lava rocks. They are very easy to shred Betta's fins now. Most of the fancier Betta's have been over bred to reach the breeders goal and this can make for some very delicate fins. Any sign of fin's getting ripped, I would take those rocks right out. Plus, they can also leach iron which can be potentially harmful as well.

I agree with kanped, no other fish in a 5 with a Betta. It's not that those other fish couldn't be in, it's that there isn't enough place to hide or run away should one or the other be stressed. Betta's tend to be stressed out by schooling fish that buzz around them too much, this can lead to fin biting their own fins out of stress as well.

Your tank has no tall plants for you Betta which they need. Betta's are top dwellers and since your guy has some pretty big fins, he needs places to rest up top. Get some tall silk plants or floating plants like water sprite for him to rest in and build his territory. Without tall plants, your Betta could end up biting his fins or becoming stressed and then sick.

You could keep a snail with him if you wanted or the shrimp as well but no other fish. I would get rid of the Endlers soon before either they become lunch or your Betta becomes nipped. Livebearers in general are known nippers.
 
#8 ·
Hi there, welcome back to the hobby.

Be very careful with those lava rocks. They are very easy to shred Betta's fins now. Most of the fancier Betta's have been over bred to reach the breeders goal and this can make for some very delicate fins. Any sign of fin's getting ripped, I would take those rocks right out. Plus, they can also leach iron which can be potentially harmful as well.
I actually need a little iron for the moss to grow well.

I agree with kanped, no other fish in a 5 with a Betta. It's not that those other fish couldn't be in, it's that there isn't enough place to hide or run away should one or the other be stressed. Betta's tend to be stressed out by schooling fish that buzz around them too much, this can lead to fin biting their own fins out of stress as well.
About a third of the time the fish do not even see each other. As a general rule the Betta has already mad the caves into his undisputed territory.

Your tank has no tall plants for you Betta which they need. Betta's are top dwellers and since your guy has some pretty big fins, he needs places to rest up top.
How tall? Currently he stays in the caves, behind on the pellia moss or rests on top of the central rocks java moss which is about 2 inches thick (and growing, it will grow to the top fairly quickly).

You could keep a snail with him if you wanted or the shrimp as well but no other fish. I would get rid of the Endlers soon before either they become lunch or your Betta becomes nipped. Livebearers in general are known nippers.
Remember Endlers, native type, are not nippers. In fact they are the ones who don't even eat their own young. Not like guppies or other larger live bearers.


Just sharing my thoughts...
 
#9 ·
Endlers can absolutely be nippy if they aren't kept in an appropriate set up. We're just trying to help you maintain the best set up for your fish is all. If you don't want to take the advice, that's alright as well.

Tall plants should reach the top and bend over the surface ideally. Something like a Sword plant or floating anubias plant would be ideal. Anubias are easier to keep. I've also suction cupped a bunch of them to make a "wall" of plants in the back at the top as well which is better for the Betta. I use larger types of Anubias though, most regular Barteri nana won't get big enough. You'd need A. Congensis, Lanceolata, regular Barteri, or other larger types to be sufficient. They also take forever to grow as well which can be nice in your type of set up where you won't have to trim very often. But essentially, a good chunk of plants being floated will help your Betta feel safer in his environment. Of course, he doesn't know that there aren't predators around that could eat him, he does what his instincts tell him to do and the fact that he's behind the rocks and moss most of the time indicates to me that he isn't entirely comfortable. I can practically guarantee that he'll be out and about more often if he has much more top cover :) of course, some fish are just picky anyway lol.
 
#11 ·
Yeah, whatever plants you want. Anacharis is a great floating plant. I wasn't telling you to get the anubias specifically, just giving you an idea of what you could do is all. But anything that floats or has tall leaves will be a good addition.
 
#13 ·
Seven strands of anacharis tall enough to lean across the tank replaced the center rock. Most moss replanted on other rocks.

2 Ammano and 2 nerrites added. Cherry reds and moss were not doing enough against algae.

Anacharis, nerrites and cherry and Ammano shrimp should do it on that front.

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