Would my Betta be happy in a 15 gallon tank?

[CDederick]

For the past few months I've had my Betta in a 1 gallon bowl with a heater and regular water changes, and a 15 gallon tank with some other fish in it which unfortunately got ich and died recently. I'm keeping the tank quarantined for now until the ich goes away, maybe for a few weeks, but I was thinking of maybe eventually putting the Betta in there so he'd have more room and aeration. I've been told that Betta's aren't happy in a space that's too big though. Do you think he'd like the 15 gallon? He'd have a proper filter and a heater, and maybe I could add some shrimp and snails in with him. Or I've heard that small neon tetras are suitable. What do you think?

[kelly528]

Yeah he should be fine, but as with all betta tanks remember to plant it densely. And with the tetras, get at least 6 (you could easily do 8 along with whatever shrimp and snails) or they will get nippy.

[vaygirl]

Tango (my avatar) lives in a planted 16 gallon and he's a super happy guy. He searches, forages and hunts all day long. I have him in with 4 corys. He doesn't harrass them. He chases them once in a while but they're way too fast for him.

I'm not sure about tetras but I do know that your betta might eat the shrimp. If you have a lot of hiding places for them, they might make it. Wait to add them until you're sure the water parameters are stable though. Shrimp are sensitive and easily killed by swinging water conditions. You could have a snail but in my opinion they're way messy and they leave poo ALL over the place.

[doggyhog]

YES!!!!! :D

I'm almost certain that the reason some bettas get stressed out in bigger tanks, is because they don't have enough plants. FILL it with plants and hiding spots! It will make him much much more secure and comfortable.

[CDederick]

Thanks, I'll be sure to get more plants for him when the tank is ready to have him transferred. :) I think I'll cycle the tank with a handful of tetras first, too.

[bettalover2033]

what do you mean by cycling ??

[bloo97]

Any tank over 1 gallon is betta paradise! (:

[Jupiter]

I agree with everyone else, he'll love it! Please take some pics if you can! :D

[Maryrox247]

8)pics!!!!!By the way he will LOVE it! Just make sure the ich is COMPLETELY 100% GONE! And maybe clean the tank. Oh yeah and did i mention... pics?

[WuGolfer07]

snails are wonderful tank mates IMO =] sure they poop, but EVERYTHING poops haha. a 16gal tank with ONE betta and ONE snail is mooooooooore than enough space to house both safely =]