5 gal tankmates?

[clynne]

I am in the process of setting up a 5 gallon tank for my betta and was wondering if I could put any other fish in the tank with him.

[hedgehog]

Originally Posted by clynne

I am in the process of setting up a 5 gallon tank for my betta and was wondering if I could put any other fish in the tank with him.

A 5 gallon isn't large enough for a betta and other fish. You could add a snail or some shrimp though. If you decide to go that route be aware that some bettas will hunt down and eat the shrimp.

[clynne]

what if I get a 10g? what are my options then? and what type of plants? i'm pretty new at this, my betta was tiny when i got him and now he's growing and I need to put him in a bigger tank & I want my tank to look pretty :)

[hedgehog]

If you were to get a ten gallon you could have tankmates. I recommend cories because they are bottom dwellers and unlikely to draw attention from the betta. If you get bronze/green/albino cories you can have four in a ten gallon. You should not do less than four of the same species though. If you got pygmy cories you could 6-8 in a ten gallon. Other options include neon tetras, platys, endlers, some others. I've only ever kept cories with bettas though so I'm not much help with how many of the other species to keep for a school.

In terms of plants you can use plastic plants that won't damage fins, silk plants, or live plants. Some oftern recommended live plants are anacharis, anubias, java fern, java moss, and marimo moss balls. There's a sticky on the housing section about live plants for more information.

[steezy]

I have a few guppies and rummy noses with my lil guy Yola. Also hes not aggressive whatsoever doesnt even really flare at other dudes!

[fishy friend2]

Originally Posted by clynne

I am in the process of setting up a 5 gallon tank for my betta and was wondering if I could put any other fish in the tank with him.

You could have 3 endlers

[Bombalurina]

Here are the options I would consider in a ten gallon with a betta:
- 4 male Endlers
- 8 ember tetras
- 4-6 panda cories (smaller than species such as bronze)
- 6-8 pymgy cories (smaller again)
- 6 kuhli loaches
- 6 neons (though personally, I wouldn't do them in less than 15 gallons)

[ravenwinds]

All very great advice. I have a young male betta in a 30 gallon with guppies(male) and Cory cats(green and peppered). They all seem to leave each other alone. Ember/glowlight and neons are also good choices(have had those in w/bettas before and no problems...as long as they have a school to occupy themselves).