Am I an idiot for putting one betta in a 20 gallon?

I’ve had him about 6 months. Tank was fully cycled before he went in. He lives with two nerite snails, who are beloved and excellent at their jobs.

Water parameters are perfect, and yes, I use the real test kit, not strips.

I still get some brown algae, so every other week I do a light cleaning and gently vacuum the bottom. I do not go nuts cleaning because I already learned that lesson the hard way.

He uses the whole tank. He hangs near the top a lot, but he also swims all over, goes through the plant roots, checks everything out, and clearly knows it’s all his.

His tail is a little jagged because he insists on wedging himself through things like he’s indestructible.

He also turned into a picky little asshole after I gave him frozen shrimp. We had a full standoff where he refused to eat for about three days. Then I gave him Fluval Bug Bites and suddenly he remembered how food works and devoured them.

I’m honestly afraid to add any other fish because I do not feel like introducing parasites, ich, or any other nonsense into a tank that is otherwise doing great. He seems happy, and I don’t really want to screw that up just because I feel like a 20 gallon should have more in it.

So am I an idiot, or is one spoiled betta and his two very dedicated snail employees actually fine?

Before anyone says something. There IS a lid on the tank. It was folded in half in this pic because I was moving the pothos around.

https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1sorgdw

Posted by Puzzleheaded-Mine333

5 Comments

  1. Dramatic_Rutabaga388 on

    No such thing as too big!! (only too tall) Your betta is one lucky fella

  2. not at all. i have a betta in a 35 gallon tank and she never stops moving always exploring. she likes to chill with my albino corys

  3. Puzzleheaded-Mine333 on

    Whew – I already feel better. I mean I know he was good but I always feel like I could do better. (I’m slightly insane) and I don’t know if bubble nests mean anything but he blows them every few days.

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