I have myself a 4ft tank and wanna get a betta but I would love to have other fishes. I will be planting the tank soon. But I would love to know if I would be able to house other fish in here with the betta.
(this tank was for an arowana but I moved it) 🫣
https://i.redd.it/8e3kmk1vky3e1.jpeg
Posted by LeatherDimension7658
6 Comments
A 4ft tank will be great for schooling and other fishes but not with a betta. Consider a biotope.
Keep a betta in a dedicated tank with maybe some neos and/or small ornamental snails.
I have Balloon Mollies in with mine
No they fight
Can they? Yes yes they can, should they? Absolutely not
I have a betta with tank mates that are all very peaceful, tetras, Corys, and snails. It’s all about temperament, set up, the fish, and order.
If you have a chill betta you’ll have an easier time setting up, but this can be hard to determine before you get them. Ask your breeder if you’re using one.
Your tank set up is so important!!! So many plants and hiding places, high and low, are needed for a betta already and especially if you’re going to have tank mates. Your betta could get territorial so there needs to be a variety of hiding spots your other fish can use as well. Seriously cannot emphasize enough how important plants/hides are when giving a betta tank mates. Consider finding a way to leak tannins in as well, I like using betta tea bags. In my case this also helps conceal my ember tetras as they blend in more, little things like that ensure all fishes safety :))
Don’t pick overly bright fish, fish the same color as your betta, or fish with flowy big fins. He’s more likely to attack them if he sees them as competition. Pick very peaceful fish!!! Nothing that would even consider biting his fins and hopefully nothing he’d consider biting back. Avoid anything that can out compete him for food as well. And obviously under no circumstances put another male betta.
Add your betta last. Once he’s in the tank he will feel like it’s his and there’s a higher chance of him getting aggressive when you add a fish.
Over all, I wouldn’t stress too much you have a nice size tank that I’m sure a betta will love very much. It is very possible to have a happy and busy tank with a betta — Just watch for behaviors and don’t over react!! Both me and my friend have a betta with tank mates and early on there was a little chasing (no nips) but that went away within a day of introduction, ofc if you see any actual damage (or attempts like lots of nipping) or signs of stress from your fish then take necessary steps to keep all fish safe!
I have my betta in a 10 gallon with 6 white cloud minnows and he does not bother them. Sometimes it seems you can end up with a friendly fish or a dickhead. I tried 2 males in my 50 gallon community…. did not work out.