want to get a betta

Discussion in 'Beginner Discussions' started by windfire, Nov 2, 2009.

  1. windfire

    windfire

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    hi all so i really should stop browsing petshops lol. i found some beautiful bettas normal veil tails and crowntail or combtail. i was sensible enough to decide to check with more knowlegable people, ie you guys lol before i bought him, if he would get on with the others in my tank. the platties and danios(three long finned ones) and one female guppy, iv always liked the bettas and would love to get one now for my community tank. im leaning toward the combtail. so what is the verdict? yay or nay?
     
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  3. OP
    windfire

    windfire

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    come on guys i need to know, i wanna get him today before the combtail is sold out. from my research the rest of my fish should be fine with a betta so i think im gona get one
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2009
  4. Wimpie

    Wimpie

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    Wish I could help mate, but I dont have any knowledge about Bettas...
     
  5. Sean J

    Sean J

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    The Platys might nip at a bettas fins. The guppies would be ok though... I wouldn't put a betta with platys though.
     
  6. Khalid

    Khalid Loricariidae

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    You can forget about the livebearer fry surviving. I have seen my beta stalk and eat my fry. One way to control the guppy populations.
     
  7. llewellyn

    llewellyn

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    I'm relatively new to the scene so take my advice with a pinch of salt - the more experienced people will chime in sooner or later :). I have a betta male and female in my tank with 13 Neons, 4 leopard danios, 6 platys, a pleco, some guppies and some scissortails. It sounds crowded when you list everything but its a pretty big tank - plenty of space for everyone - and over the past 2 weeks the vegetation has been thriving so its pretty well planted for a new tank as well.

    My experience so far: No dead fish as a result of the betta - the betta hasn't flared at the female or any of the other fish that I've seen. They are very peaceful fish, provided there isn't another male in the same tank :blink1: Conversely, the other fish seem to stay away from him - they don't pick on him or nip at his fins. A betta is really awesome to behold swimming in a big tank - even the relatively less attractive female - I can't imagine keeping one in a little cube or guppy breeder! After seeing them in stores, limp and depressed in little cubes, it was a real surprise for me to see how quick and graceful they can be in a bigger space! Over a short distance, the only things that would out-run him are probably the Danios.

    They will eat fry, but I don't really want to breed guppies, so that's fine by me. If I do start breeding something it will be in a separate tank...

    The other thing is that they seem to be VERY fussy eaters (they swallow and then spit out some food if they don't like it. They also eat alot more slowly than the other fish, like the danios, so at feeding time, try to make sure that they are eating enough before the others polish off everything.

    EDIT: As per slagter's note above re: platys:

    My platys seem alot more docile than some I've seen in stores. I've got red ones with black tails (sorry, I have no idea if they are different to other platys :)) They seem to stick together around the vegetation and leave the other species alone.

    However, like I said, I've just listed my experience, so more agressive species of platy may well annoy your betta...
     
  8. OP
    windfire

    windfire

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    strangely enough from the articles iv read most say guppies and bettas are a bad idea as the bettas might mistake the male guppies for anothe betta. they recommend platys,danios and corys all of which i hav in my tank. so from what iv researched and whats been said here it sounds like i should be fine... i want to let my tank settle as iv just done a water change to try get rid of the snail kill i put in so it looks like tomorrow will be the day.

    my platys also stick together illewellyn usually at mid level and the danios tend to hang out at the upper level but like to play tag round the tank. has anyone else seen the combtail types before/ could they be more sensitive to changes and lastly if the betta is unhealthy does their colour fade?
     
  9. Zoom

    Zoom Retired Moderator

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    Windfire... in my experience, Bettas CAN be put with other fish... BUT that also depends on the nature and character of the Beta. Sadly I have had a male beta live very well in my community, (even with the Angels which is a known no-no), and then when I tried another male, it didn't work.

    Guppies are also fin-nippers, and might nip the male's fins.

    Danios are also known to be fin nippers.

    I'd say give it a try, but be prepared to possibly more him to another tank.

    I currently have 4 female betas in my community tank, and they are absolutely amazing fish!
     
  10. OP
    windfire

    windfire

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    well hes home a beautiful combtail with red and blue colouring, iv put him in the tank still in the bag to get used to my water tempreture. he was with some platys at the pet store so he should be fine in my tank. cant wait to release him, iv decided to call him vulcan.
     
  11. Zoom

    Zoom Retired Moderator

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    Isn't it amazing how we always name the Beta's, the Oscars, and the really attractive fish, but the poor Neons get labelled "neon 1" etc etc

    Heehee

    My one Beta was called GiGi... (pronouced jeejee) as he looked very gay.... and the second one was called Solomon, because he had 4 wives.
     
  12. butcherman

    butcherman Administrator

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    my neons dont even get named neon 1 they just there collectively called "the neons"
     
  13. darryn

    darryn

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    LOL @ zoom. Never thought of naming by fish ....
     
  14. OP
    windfire

    windfire

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    my corys are named, fred and george, and my pleco, marvin. but they all recognisable with neons it would be difficult wouldnt it it be like "your bob, your bill, your fred hang on werent you bob" lol.

    vulcan seems to be a very chilled he just drifts around exploring and the rest of my fish give him a wide berth i think they afraid of him lol. he really is beautiful to watch. im glad i bought him, its predicate day today and im sure other students on here will agree its the most stressful time of a students year *sigh* i needed a pick me up.
     
  15. ACE007

    ACE007 VA-TI-KA-KI

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    My 4 year old named my 2 corys, shifter and spanner. And the 2 oscars is carrot and broccoli.
     
  16. Gareth

    Gareth Angel Freak

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    My girl friend names my Clown Knife Spot and my Big Bala Shark is bruce and the 2 biggest silver dollars are rand and cent???? she is trying to name all the fish, I leave it and have a good laugh when we moans at them because they don't stay still...lol
     
  17. Bufamotis

    Bufamotis

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    my collective fish are called. . . My fish, the fish, that neon, the wussy who keeps hiding, stupid fish, that one over there. . .
     
  18. Gareth

    Gareth Angel Freak

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    At least you are trying Ferryman....lol
     
  19. Morak

    Morak

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    The dominant male malawi in my tank is called "Mugabe"........:bigsmile:
     

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