My first attempt at mixing...

[iheartmybettas]

I'm getting a 16 gallon bowfront for my king male, Sumo off of craigslist. I am hoping this is big enough to add some additional fish. I REALLY want cories! Do you think that will work? I am guessing I'm supposed to get 4 or 5 since they are schooling fish. Let me know what you think! This is my first time to add other fish with a betta!

[Shayna09]

A sixteen gallon would be the perfect size for five or six cories and a male betta. Make sure you have lots of plant cover for the cory cats to hide in, until they and the betta establish a pecking order. Also, use smooth gravel or sand as substrate, as cory cats love to burrow. I would also suggest cycling your tank for a few days to a week (live plants are very beneficial) then add the cory cats (2 or 3 at a time) and add your betta after your cory cats get established. That will make it easier for them all to adjust as your betta does not feel they are invading "his" territory.

[iheartmybettas]

Awesome! Thank you for the info! I am planning on black sand and live plants. I will be my first fully planted tank. If I can keep the plants alive! Lol! I will make sure it is cycles first also. Thanks again!

[Shayna09]

No problem. For plants, I recommend planting a bunch of java fern - they are very hardy and hard to kill!

[LolaQuigs]

That sounds like a great setup! Make sure you cycle the tank before adding cories, they tend to be very sensitive to parameters. Good luck!

[vaygirl]

I have that tank. Valisneria are tall plants that look really good in the back and will like the sand. Water wisteria works good too. Just swap out the light bulb with a 6500k daylight bulb and they'll grow great!

[shinybetta]

Make sure you have sand. Smooth gravel is fine but corydoras prefer sand over both. I have managed to kill 2 java ferns, but some other good plants are anacharis, water sprite, and amazon swords.

[iheartmybettas]

Thank you everyone! I will probably try a little off all the plants mentioned. Definitely sand. I am frustrated because the person hasn't emailed me back. I got her once but was still thinking about it. Then I say I want it and haven't heard back!

[Shayna09]

Amazon swordsare really nice, I have two in my community tank. =) Good luck!