New to Betta Fish...

[BettaGurl23]

My parents finally decided to let me have fish. I had fish when I was like 8. I took good care of them. But they were Goldfish. They'd last a week and when we come home Sunday, they'd be dead.

I am trying to decide between getting Bettas and Guppies. I've seen pictures of Bettas. I know Females aren't as pretty as males(Tail Wise) and I might just get males.

But my Dad told me they fight a lot. Is this true? I'm basically a newbie at Tropical Freshwater Fish. I've only had Goldfish and they didn't fight.

[sebamd]

Originally Posted by BettaGurl23

My parents finally decided to let me have fish. I had fish when I was like 8. I took good care of them. But they were Goldfish. They'd last a week and when we come home Sunday, they'd be dead.

I am trying to decide between getting Bettas and Guppies. I've seen pictures of Bettas. I know Females aren't as pretty as males(Tail Wise) and I might just get males.

But my Dad told me they fight a lot. Is this true? I'm basically a newbie at Tropical Freshwater Fish. I've only had Goldfish and they didn't fight.

Welcome and gratz on your new adventure. Most of the info you need is on the sticky in the forum.

What really will concern most of the members here is your track record. But betta's are a really hardy fish so it might help on your understanding of keeping an aquarium.

You might also find this very useful. I'm doing a fish-in cycle on my first tank and is a PITA! Doable, but requires a lot of attention to the params of the water for the first 2 to 3 weeks.

Again, welcome and good luck!

[BettaGurl23]

I had taken good care of my Goldfish. I just don't think I was ready THEN. But I'm ready now. We are home like 24/7 anyway.

I might keep Bettas and Guppies depending on if I decide to keep two kinds or just keep one kind.

[Campbell]

Yes, male bettas are very aggressive. They can not be kept with any other bettas, and guppies aren't recommended either because there can be aggression between the two species.

[vaygirl]

Pretty much what people have said already. Male bettas kept together will kill each other. They can't be kept together. You can get one male betta OR a school of guppies but I wouldn't have both in the same tank.

[karlhague]

Originally Posted by vaygirl

Pretty much what people have said already. Male bettas kept together will kill each other. They can't be kept together. You can get one male betta OR a school of guppies but I wouldn't have both in the same tank.

If the tank is large enough and theirs plenty of hiding spaces and cover, it really shouldnt be a problem.

I have seen a few people on the forums that have said they keep guppies with bettas, and the male bettas have not touched them.

From what I have read so far, it appears that EACH betta has an individual personality, some males may be more placid/Aggressive than others.

[vaygirl]

That's why I said I wouldn't. I always give advice that I think will cause the least harm to the fish. She can take it or leave it.

If you do decide to put the betta with guppies, make sure you have an extra tank in case it doesn't work out.

[karlhague]

Originally Posted by vaygirl

That's why I said I wouldn't. I always give advice that I think will cause the least harm to the fish. She can take it or leave it.

If you do decide to put the betta with guppies, make sure you have an extra tank in case it doesn't work out.

I understand what your saying, and agree with the extra tank bit.


Try plain Guppies rather than the fancy tailed ones.

[dramaqueen]

I wouldn't put 2 females together, either. One will dominate the other and bully it to death.

[colleen1414]

If you get more than one betta you have to keep them seperate. some tanks come with seperators so the fish aren't on the same side and they can't see eachother.