uhg.. gotta keep the girlfriend happy (betta fish question)

[NCStateFisher]

So now that my 2 tanks are finally up and running well my girlfriend has decided that she wants a beta. Probably gonna end up getting her one of those aqueon 2.5 or 5 gallon bowfront setups that has the basic filter and all that. I've never kept a beta so i have a few questions.

A) Do they require a heater or would they be okay in somewhat colder waters?

B) If they do have to have a small heater would they be compatible with a small school of neons or some other small tetras or guppies?

Hate to sound dumb just never really wanted bettas or done any research on em...

 

[Moloch]

I kind of want a betta tank myself actually, I think it could be pretty cool.

Really if I were to do it I'd want to get one of those fluval edge tanks and do a nice aquascape (not dense, but nice looking with bright white sand, amano influenced even though I'd suck at it) and have a beta and whatever else I could manage to keep alive in there...


Take advantage of this & get yourself a 10gal with some nice bright lights and learn about plants man! You can get a 10 for like 12 bucks, screw a hood, get a cheap light if you can, sponge filter it and only heat it if you need to. Cheap & easy & could turn out pretty sweet.

 

[buddha1200]

my girlfriend wanted a betta also,so i bought her a 5 gallon,heater etc and i also put 5 small tetras in with hers and they seem to be fine(been 6 months).

 

[jcardona1]

Bettas kick ass, especially halfmoons and crowntails!! This is my current favorite. I'd say treat them like any other tropical fish. Clean and warm water, good food, water changes, and you'll be good.

 

[RuthlessAggression]

From what I hear, they would be fine with room temperature if you don't want to go the extra mile and get them a heater, and will do fine in a 2.5 gallon tank as they are not overly active fish and aren't fast swimmers. As far as tank mates go, nothing that will be able to out compete at feeding time, i.e. female betta's, possibily small tetra's even though people generally keep betta's solo. But they can be kept in a community tank as well.

 

[Oddball]

My wife loves her crowntail beta. I would not recommend keeping one with guppies since anything else with long finnage may be considered to be a competitor with the betta and will be harassed.

 

[xRage10]

Beta's really shouldn't be kept wih any other fish. They're very aggressive (as I'm sure you know) and will potentially beat up on other fish.

That said, they are fun little fish to have. My mom used to love having some. They really don't need heaters, either. We used to actually keep them in vases with plants. I'm telling you now, don't do it. Not good for the fish xP

One of those 5 gallon bowfronts that you were talking about should work fine, though. Just treat it like you'd treat any of your other fish and you'll be fine.

 

[DMD123]

A) Do they require a heater or would they be okay in somewhat colder waters?

B) If they do have to have a small heater would they be compatible with a small school of neons or some other small tetras or guppies?

A) They do not necessarily require a heater but may become quite inactive during cooler winter months if you keep your home on the cool side to save money. I would have a heater in there just to keep him active.

B) Tankmates are possible but some may be EATEN (Neon's)! If well planted you might try ghost shrimp (Also EATEN!). Otocinclus would probably be OK. Other tankmates could be possible in maybe a 10g size tank.

 

[NCStateFisher]

okay thanks for the advice, i'll probably just keep the beta alone then, moloch id love an excuse for another 10 gallon but i have no room to put one in my room right now unfortunately, ill probably get a couple live plants in with it and maybe a couple ghost shrimp since they're cheap and she likes them

 

[papawoody]

i've had a betta in my community tank for a couple years without a problem . no long finned tankmates though , unless you count angelfish . tankmates have been tetras (neon , black neon , glow light) cl's , angelfish , danios , pleco , kribensis , platys , glass cat , ... he never bothered anybody