My Betta is killing everything!! Any ideas?

[greeneyedpixie]

Hey all,

I'm new to this whole forum thing so sorry if I'm doing anything wrong I'm sorry!!

I have a 23 litre tank, and have a Betta with 4 neon tetras and 2 loaches as tankmates. I cycled the tank for 3 weeks before adding anything, and yesterday added the fish. Since yesterday, my Betta has killed 2 of my tetras, quite violently too and they've suffered horrible painful deaths to which I was helpless :(

My Betta hasn't eaten anything since arriving, though food has been offered, but I'm wondering if he's hungry and preying on the fish instead?

Help me please!! xxx

[gmd1800]

Your tank is approximately 6 gallons, correct? I believe that it's too overstocked. In a 6gal, a betta should only be with a snail or a few ghost shrimp.

Your betta might not be eating since he's stressed from the move. Do you have a tank you could put the tetras and loaches? Or the betta in a different tank? A critter keeper works quite well.

[LolaQuigs]

Some bettas are just not tankmate-safe. Your betta could be one that just needs to be kept alone, or he could be aggressive because your tank is overstocked. When fish don't have room to establish territories and get away from each other, they are often hostile. I suggest you either get a larger tank, or return the remaining tetras and loaches. Depending on what kind of loaches they are, you may need a huge tank if you want to keep them....

[greeneyedpixie]

The loaches are a small variety, the fish seller in the shop said it they would be fine for my tank. sadly, if this is the case I may have to return my betta! :'( that would make me so sad, but my tank is one that needs a few little fish too, to make it look good. is it possible he's jsut settling in? x

[greeneyedpixie]

its just killed another one of my tetras :'( it pulled out his eye and left it flailing at the top of the tank...do stores usually allow for them to be returned within 1 week? x

[greeneyedpixie]

My last betta lived in a 30 litre with 2 burman log suckers, 8 tetras and 4 danios and was happy as a bunny! x

[Oldfishlady]

In an overstock and poorly stocked tank like you have....you are asking for problems...sadly, 6gal is not big enough for your loaches alone, maybe neon terta if it is just for them...but not the Betta and tetras...

In too small a space- this gives the Betta the ability to corner and catch the other fish and kill them as their instinct tells them to protect their territory.......

For your current stocking you will need at the very least 55gal tank and that depends on the species of loach you have...nearly all tropical fish start out tiny and most can grow over 12+ inch...by keeping a baby fish in too small a tank they can stunt and die a slow horrid death....

Its important to research the species of fish you want to keep so that you can properly meet their needs and rarely should you listen to pet shop staff...they want to sell you something and don't care if the fish dies or you can't meet their needs...all that means to them is that the fish get sick and/or die and now they can sell you medication or another fish.......

I don't mean to sound rude or mean...I am just stating the facts.....you need a bigger tank or take all but the Betta back to the fish shop.....by keeping the species of fish you have in the current setup is like keeping a Betta in a small cup long term....you can't meet their long term needs......

[bettafish15]

The betta is preying on the fish because the space is just too small for tankmates. Also some bettas are just too aggressive for tankmates. I know the six gallon your talking about, and making it look good doesnt mean you have to have tiny fish in there too. ;) I would return all other fish besides the betta.