Can I keep a bottom feeder with my Betta? (5 gal tank)

[TibbyGirl]

Hi! I have a 5 gallon tank that I keep my Betta in. I've had him for about a month, and he is perfectly happy. I just wanted to know if some type of bottom feeder could live with him to help with the algae? It's not extremely bad, just in the corners and near the heater, but it's a pain to clean off. Does anyone know of any bottom feeders that could live in my 5 gallon? Thank-you!

[shellieca]

A 5g is really too small for multiple fish. If you can find them nerite snails for freshwater are great algae eaters & don't reproduce in freshwater. In my 5.5g I have a Mystery snail & a nerite along with my male Betta.

[TibbyGirl]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I checked at the only two petstores in town, and all they have is mystery snails. I'd rather not get one of them since They can reproduce by them selves, and snails produce alot of waste. Any other suggestions?

[White Mage]

Originally Posted by TibbyGirl

all they have is mystery snails. I'd rather not get one of them since They can reproduce by them selves

They can WHAT? ._.

[TibbyGirl]

Yea! Some snails carry both sex organs, and they don't need another snail to reproduce. And some female snails can carry fertilized eggs for months.

[tekkguy]

Mystery snails are not asexual. You have to have a male and a female in order for them to breed. If you happen to get a female who is carrying eggs, they are easy to spot. She will lay a huge mass of them OUTSIDE the water. They look sort of like styrofoam. If you don't want them, just scrape off the mass of eggs and stick it in the freezer for 24 hours, then dispose of it. It's pretty safe to buy a single mystery snail and not end up with babies!

[Crowntails]

If you have a planted tank -I'd only do it if I was planted- I'd do a 2-3 Oto Cats. Everyone on another forum I'm on, has Otos in a tank that small and they are doing great. Only a planted tank though!

[Nowaykittay]

hey biology major here :) snails are hermaphrodites (both sex organs) but they still need other snails to reproduce! when they mate they swap sperm then both walk away pregnant. pretty gosh-darn efficient! :)

[Bombalurina]

How about amano shrimp?

Due to the delicacy of otocinclus I would never recommend them for less than a ten gal except in the case of an extremely experienced fishkeeper with a heavily planted tank that's been established for at least six months, and is capable of supporting a proper school of 5, not just 2 or 3.

[BulletToothBoris]

Mystery snails are either male or female, not both.