Keeping bettas

[Dianacatz]

bettas. One of the harder fish to keep/breed. I want to go over the basics, and not so basic, parts of keeping betta fish.

Male bettas will generally have longer fins then the female with shorter fins. Male bettas are also VERY agressive and if kept together (which should never happen) they will fight to the death.
Any adjustment should be done gradually.

Water:
PH: 6.8-7.4 (ideal)
You may add about one tablespoon of aquarium salt.

Environment:
Glass marbles at the bottom of the tank are easy to manage and clean. Artificial plants can be easy to clean but not as real. I would suggest a log. Real plants might simulate their real habitat more though.

BETTA BUDDIES:

-Neon Tetras- great fish to keep with bettas
-White Cloud Mountain Minnows
-Harlequin Rasboras
-African Dwarf Frogs
-Apple Snails
-Otocinclus Catfish
-Bristlenose plecos
-Cory Catfish
-Glass Catfish
-Khulii Loach
-Ghost Shrimp
-Cardinal tetras
-Swordtails
-Female guppies (NO MALES)

*You can also keep FEMALE bettas together in a group of 4-5.
*be prepared to separate fish if you decide to keep them together and they fight.
*if you choose to have guppies, I would make sure that you have a laid back betta. (I do not recommend this for most bettas)

BREEDING:

Ask me specific questions if you have them about breeding.

[TIP: don't use gravel while breeding them as the unhatched fry can get lost in there]



If there are any other questions about these remarkable fish, ask me. Also, feel free to share your fish and correct me if I'm wrong.


Wishes,
Diana

 

[Rocky64]

My old male betta was kept with all sorts of fish, rosy reds, killifish, a kory cat, ghost shrimp, and 2 female and one male guppy. The betta was pretty laid back and mainly kept to himself, I never seen him interact much with the guppies, let alone attack them, but my current betta I would be more worried about with guppies because he's a lot more "involved" with everything in the tank. So I guess it's just an individual thing, some are laid back and others aren't. At least that's my two cents( or is it sense? Lol)

 

[Dianacatz]

The personality of the betta is probably the decision maker want to keep guppies with bettas. If the betta is pretty laid back and keeps to himself, then you could try guppies. If the betta is a fast, ready to pounce kind of betta, then guppies might not be the best option.
This is also my understanding.

Wishes,
Diana

 

[LeafBlade12345]

The personality of the betta is probably the decision maker want to keep guppies with bettas. If the betta is pretty laid back and keeps to himself, then you could try guppies. If the betta is a fast, ready to pounce kind of betta, then guppies might not be the best option.
This is also my understanding.

Wishes,
Diana

My Bettas seemed extremely laid back. Little female, less than an inch long, ripped my guppy to shreds. She was about as laid back looking as they come. You can't tell just by looking. I don't encourage keeping bettas with guppies. I mean no offense, but my breeder guppies, some of which are show material, are not worth trying to keep a betta with them. They may be tolerated, but it's not a chance I'm taking. Even if the guppy is not killed outright, stress from being chased by the betta or even just seeing such an imposing fish can kill them or make them extremely sickly. My opinion is biased because I keep and breed guppies and they are some of my favorite fish, but I do keep Bettas and much prefer the guppies. I wouldn't try it unless you have a backup plan when, if, your betta becomes aggressive. I've found the males seem to be much more docile than the females.

Regards,
Leaf

 

[calpal212]

I have kept and bred bettas, and I can tell you that it is extremely hard to breed them but not to keep them! I love them, they are very pretty and fun to watch hope to see this thread to go far!

 

[Dianacatz]

I have not yet finished the thread so... I'll be doing that now

 

[LeafBlade12345]

I have not yet finished the thread so... I'll be doing that now

Diana, guppies, even females, should not be kept with Bettas under any circumstances. They are slow and will be harassed.

Regards,
Leaf

 

[LeafBlade12345]

And the same goes for swordtails.

Regards,
Leaf

 

[Rocky64]

I have a betta in a 20 gallon tank along with 5 mountain cloud minnows, 4 cherry barbs, 4 ghost shrimp, and 2 Cory cats, and all of them get along well. My betta comes right up to my arm when I put it in the tank to rearrange the rouge Java fern which keeps getting free and floating, my rosette sword plant stays in place a lot better because its roots actually are under the gravel and a Javas roots will rot if its roots are under gravel, which makes it tricky to place.

 

[Stacykins]

bettas. One of the harder fish to keep/breed. I want to go over the basics, and not so basic, parts of keeping betta fish.

Male bettas will generally have longer fins then the female with shorter fins. Male bettas are also VERY agressive and if kept together (which should never happen) they will fight to the death.
Any adjustment should be done gradually.

Water:
PH: 6.8-7.4 (ideal)
You may add about one tablespoon of aquarium salt. One tablespoon of salt per what amount of water? Clarify.

Environment:
Glass marbles at the bottom of the tank are easy to manage and clean. Artificial plants can be easy to clean but not as real. I would suggest a log. Real plants might simulate their real habitat more though.

BETTA BUDDIES: Any 'buddies' are merely tolerated by Betta splendens and add significantly to the bioload of an aquarium.

-Neon Tetras- great fish to keep with bettas No these are not, because these are fin nippers.
-White Cloud Mountain Minnows Schooling fish, needs 5-6 to be healthy.
-Harlequin Rasboras These are also fin nippers.
-African Dwarf Frogs Do not accidentally purchase African Clawed Frogs
-Apple Snails
-Otocinclus Catfish Schooling fish, needs 5-6 to be healthy.
-Bristlenose plecos
-Cory Catfish Schooling fish, needs 5-6 to be healthy.
-Glass Catfish
-Blue Gourami Blue gourami might be aggressive towards Betta splendens.
-Khulii Loach Schooling fish, needs 5-6 to be healthy.
-Ghost Shrimp
-Cardinal tetras These are also fin nippers.
-Swordtails
-Female guppies (NO MALES)

*You can also keep FEMALE bettas together in a group of 4-5. With enough space, ample hiding places, and a plethora of plants can a 'school' of females be kept. Female Betta splendens also can be aggressive towards one another if crammed into a small tank without proper accommodation.
*be prepared to separate fish if you decide to keep them together and they fight.
*if you choose to have guppies, I would make sure that they are NOT fancy guppies.

BREEDING:

Ask me specific questions if you have them about breeding.

[TIP: don't use gravel while breeding them as the unhatched fry can get lost in there]



If there are any other questions about these remarkable fish, ask me. Also, feel free to share your fish and correct me if I'm wrong.


Wishes,
Diana

You need to edit your post to include that an aquarium heater is a MUST for Betta splendens in a temperate environment. They are a tropical fish and require a water temperature between 75-82 degrees Fahrenheit in order to be healthy. A thermometer is needed to ensure the temperature is stable. Adjust temperature slowly.