Betta Friends in a 29 Gallon?

roarsirroar · 08-12-2011, 12:17 PM

Hi! I was wondering what you would reccomend for a stocking list in my 29 gallon. I haven't cycled it yet because I want to know exactly what I want to do first. I already have a male betta in a 3.5 gal and I was hoping if I could put him in there. My dad wants cardinal tetras...but I know that doesn't work out with bettas.

And if I decide not to put the betta in...what are some colorful, beginner fish for my setting? I don't want any livebearers, for I don't want to deal with 100babies :p. German Blue Rams and Bolivian Rams are beautiful, but I'm afraid I am not experienced enough to care for them.

Thanks so much!

MissPisces · 08-12-2011, 12:54 PM

With livebearers, you'll only end up with babies if you have males and females. An all-female platy or molly tank would be good. Actually, platies and mollies are usually recommended for beginners. I'd just get all females if I were you. They're not like guppies when it comes to coloring; the females are just as colorful as the males, and they're so cute, too!

Still, there are several other kinds of fish you could get. If you want my opinion, you shouldn't put the betta into the bigger tank. I have a betta and two platies, and I'm already having to separate them because the betta is just too vicious. Other people have kept bettas in a community tank, but I've been told and have found out that it's not a good idea...

Cardinal tetras are a good choice, as well as neon tetras (as long as you don't have any fish that will try to eat them!). You could have some of those with black skirt tetras, or if you want larger fish you could go with gouramis. Just be careful what other fish you have if you decide on gouramis! You could mix tetras and platies, but I suggest you don't add any mollies. Mollies are more aggressive than platies, and they're best kept with other mollies, platies, or gouramis.

That's about all I know on the subject... I'm a beginner, but I hope this advice helps you anyway. Good luck!

Pigeonfish · 08-12-2011, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissPisces

or if you want larger fish you could go with gouramis.

Gouramis and bettas will fight.

MissPisces · 08-12-2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pigeonfish

Gouramis and bettas will fight.

Sorry, wasn't too clear on that! I meant that all these fish would be good without the betta in the tank. I really don't recommend keeping a betta with other fish, though I know some people do keep them like that successfully.

NeonShark666 · 08-12-2011, 02:07 PM

Any of the Corys, small Tetras and small Rasboras would be fine. Stay away from most fish with Cichlid in their name. Male Bettas are favorite targets for fin nippers which Cichlids like to do. Rams are a little delicate and need a lot of care. Kribs are tough and would do fine. Make sure there are plenty of floating plants for your Betta to hide in. Remember that Female Bettas don't fight and your can keep several of them together.

majerah1 · 08-12-2011, 02:22 PM

Many times a betta will work for most other types of fish if the others are smaller and dont have the flowy fins like a betta.the main issue with tank mates is a betta is slower and is considered a target to fin nipping fish like tetras.However,if you have a nice school,the nipping will stay within the school and Mr betta should be ok.You still have to watch the temperment of the betta however.Some do not mind a few fish swimming with them,while others will see them as a nuisance,and try to get rid of them.

roarsirroar · 08-12-2011, 07:24 PM

darn...theres no multiquote!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissPisces

With livebearers, you'll only end up with babies if you have males and females. An all-female platy or molly tank would be good. Actually, platies and mollies are usually recommended for beginners. I'd just get all females if I were you. They're not like guppies when it comes to coloring; the females are just as colorful as the males, and they're so cute, too! do i have to get a certain quantity of platies? or can about three be ok?

Still, there are several other kinds of fish you could get. If you want my opinion, you shouldn't put the betta into the bigger tank. I have a betta and two platies, and I'm already having to separate them because the betta is just too vicious. Other people have kept bettas in a community tank, but I've been told and have found out that it's not a good idea...it's okay if it doesn't work out...Rocco can just go back in his tank

He's been flaring alot at me lately ever since i showed him his reflection so i'm already doubting he'll be peaceful.

Cardinal tetras are a good choice, as well as neon tetras (as long as you don't have any fish that will try to eat them!). You could have some of those with black skirt tetras, or if you want larger fish you could go with gouramis. Just be careful what other fish you have if you decide on gouramis! You could mix tetras and platies, but I suggest you don't add any mollies. Mollies are more aggressive than platies, and they're best kept with other mollies, platies, or gouramis. gouramis are cute but i've heard they're quite shy...

That's about all I know on the subject... I'm a beginner, but I hope this advice helps you anyway. Good luck!

thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeonShark666

Any of the Corys, small Tetras and small Rasboras would be fine. Stay away from most fish with Cichlid in their name. Male Bettas are favorite targets for fin nippers which Cichlids like to do. Rams are a little delicate and need a lot of care. Kribs are tough and would do fine. Make sure there are plenty of floating plants for your Betta to hide in. Remember that Female Bettas don't fight and your can keep several of them together.

1) yep. most definitely getting cories! what are the hardiest kind?
2) kribs are pretty. i'll keep them in consideration...also do you mean i can keep kribs with a betta?
3) i considered a betta sorority. but i scrapped it cause they have a high failure rate lol. and i'm not a very lucky person! :p

Quote:

Originally Posted by majerah1

Many times a betta will work for most other types of fish if the others are smaller and dont have the flowy fins like a betta.the main issue with tank mates is a betta is slower and is considered a target to fin nipping fish like tetras.However,if you have a nice school,the nipping will stay within the school and Mr betta should be ok.You still have to watch the temperment of the betta however.Some do not mind a few fish swimming with them,while others will see them as a nuisance,and try to get rid of them.

so should i keep one big school for my 29? should a group of 12 be ok? or is that too much?

btw...what do you guys think of rummy nose tetras?
thanks so much for the help!

MissPisces · 08-12-2011, 07:54 PM

Three platies is perfect! You can get more if you want to, but two or three should do very well if you decide to get them. They should get along fine with most other fish you get. Just remember that mollies are more aggressive!

lol And it sounds like your little guy is spirited!

susankat · 08-12-2011, 09:05 PM

A word of warning, don't get females, as they can be pregnant when you get them and they can give you babies for 6 to 8 months without a male around as they will hold sperm.

Sweetgreenleaf1369 · 08-13-2011, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by majerah1

Many times a betta will work for most other types of fish if the others are smaller and dont have the flowy fins like a betta.the main issue with tank mates is a betta is slower and is considered a target to fin nipping fish like tetras.However,if you have a nice school,the nipping will stay within the school and Mr betta should be ok.You still have to watch the temperment of the betta however.Some do not mind a few fish swimming with them,while others will see them as a nuisance,and try to get rid of them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by susankat

A word of warning, don't get females, as they can be pregnant when you get them and they can give you babies for 6 to 8 months without a male around as they will hold sperm.

I have a 29 gal with platies and mollies with my Betta and they do just fine also have a 10 gal with a Betta and a bn and shrimp just make sure shrimp have hiding space and are of the larger variety
.

roarsirroar · 08-13-2011, 02:21 PM

well after some thinking, i've decided to keep my mr. betta in his happy 3.5 :p
with that said....
could i still have some platies? i've realized that they come in a variety so can i have 4 of them all in different varieties?
and if i could...could i have a type of gourami with them as well?
also...i was planning on having this tank in the family room where we have a tv and some surround sound speakers. will the fish be okay with that amount of noise?
so overall i was thinking of 4 platies, 5-6 cories, 1 dwarf gourami, and 9 tetras/schooling fish. is that too much?

sorry! so many questions!

roarsirroar · 08-13-2011, 07:02 PM

oh and do you think i can get a nerite snail? i think they are cute :p

MissPisces · 08-13-2011, 08:03 PM

I think that sounds good, IMHO. I can't tell you anything about gouramis, but having different kinds of platies should do fine. The snail would be OK too, I think. Again, I'm a beginner, but I can at least share some of the things I've learned on this forum! :D

roarsirroar · 08-14-2011, 12:32 AM

is it ok if i replace the dwarf with one female opaline gourami? or is that too large? dwarfs are too small for my liking and i'm afraid of their poor health...
maybe i can down the tetra number to 6...

Pigeonfish · 08-14-2011, 01:21 AM

You need to know if the Nerites came from freshwater or saltwater... if they came from saltwater, you'd have to drip acclimate them. Also make sure to feed them properly since they need algae.

roarsirroar · 08-14-2011, 09:20 PM

i know i am changing my mind alot but i will take my previous stocking list in consideration if my recent plan fails.
i know i said i didn't want to have a betta sorority cause of high failure rate but i just can't seem to get the idea out of my mind. i have research a whole lot about them for a while now and i have decided i want to set one up.
so i was thinking maybe 7 females...i know i can fit more but i also want some other fish and the females will have plenty of room to get away from eachother with just 7.

so with this new plan, what do you suggest i stock?
thank you so much for all of your help and i'm sorry i keep changing my mind!

and @Pigeonfish i will keep in mind of that! ;)

Pigeonfish · 08-15-2011, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roarsirroar

i know i am changing my mind alot but i will take my previous stocking list in consideration if my recent plan fails.
i know i said i didn't want to have a betta sorority cause of high failure rate but i just can't seem to get the idea out of my mind. i have research a whole lot about them for a while now and i have decided i want to set one up.
so i was thinking maybe 7 females...i know i can fit more but i also want some other fish and the females will have plenty of room to get away from eachother with just 7.

so with this new plan, what do you suggest i stock?
thank you so much for all of your help and i'm sorry i keep changing my mind!

and @Pigeonfish i will keep in mind of that! ;)

If you have a soft substrate, you can go with a group of Corys at the bottom (like 5) and then just worry about the sorority.

roarsirroar · 08-15-2011, 11:41 PM

i might use eco-complete...not sure yet though cause i'm a bit indimidated by substrate plants (or whatever they're called xD)
do you think i could do
7 female bettas
8 harlequin rasboras
6 cories/kuhlis/??

i have a feeling thats overstocked but i'm no expert. i don't know if i want bottom dwellers. but i think if i didn't, it would unbalance the tank (cause its top, middle, bottom, yeah?). i could reduce the betta number to 5 if that helps...

lol i asked this on another forum but i want a second opinion :p

thanks!

Pigeonfish · 08-16-2011, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roarsirroar

i might use eco-complete...not sure yet though cause i'm a bit indimidated by substrate plants (or whatever they're called xD)
do you think i could do
7 female bettas
8 harlequin rasboras
6 cories/kuhlis/??

i have a feeling thats overstocked but i'm no expert. i don't know if i want bottom dwellers. but i think if i didn't, it would unbalance the tank (cause its top, middle, bottom, yeah?). i could reduce the betta number to 5 if that helps...

lol i asked this on another forum but i want a second opinion :p

thanks!

You will be overstocked if you want to keep both 6 Corys and 6 Kuhlis... I think you should keep the 7 female bettas because that will let the dominant female spread her aggression more. As for the other fish, it really depends on how you want the tank to look, ex. If you want a big school of the Harlequin Rasboras or not. You can keep 5 or 6 together instead of 8... and keep 5 Corys or Kuhlis.

I like Eco-Complete, it looks good and it's letting my plants grow amazingly.

roarsirroar · 08-16-2011, 11:04 AM

oh yeah i don't want both! i just don't know which one i'd want. cories are kind of expensive...
i'm going back and forth on the idea of harlequins or cardinals...harlequins are hardier but cardinals look so much cooler...
how many bags do you think i'll need of it? i'm hoping not many cause its quite expensive. and what are some easy low light plants? i know java fern/moss, anachris, and anubias are.

08-12-2011, 12:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
roarsirroar Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 16 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Betta Friends in a 29 Gallon? Hi! I was wondering what you would reccomend for a stocking list in my 29 gallon. I haven't cycled it yet because I want to know exactly what I want to do first. I already have a male betta in a 3.5 gal and I was hoping if I could put him in there. My dad wants cardinal tetras...but I know that doesn't work out with bettas. And if I decide not to put the betta in...what are some colorful, beginner fish for my setting? I don't want any livebearers, for I don't want to deal with 100babies :p. German Blue Rams and Bolivian Rams are beautiful, but I'm afraid I am not experienced enough to care for them. Thanks so much!

08-12-2011, 12:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
MissPisces novice aquarium nut MissPisces's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 428 Name: Just call me Liz. Or Beth. Or just Elizabeth! It's my middle/nick name Location: Texas, United States Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 213 Times Said "Thanks" 115 Times Was Thanked 76 Times in 73 Posts	Re: Betta Friends in a 29 Gallon? With livebearers, you'll only end up with babies if you have males and females. An all-female platy or molly tank would be good. Actually, platies and mollies are usually recommended for beginners. I'd just get all females if I were you. They're not like guppies when it comes to coloring; the females are just as colorful as the males, and they're so cute, too! Still, there are several other kinds of fish you could get. If you want my opinion, you shouldn't put the betta into the bigger tank. I have a betta and two platies, and I'm already having to separate them because the betta is just too vicious. Other people have kept bettas in a community tank, but I've been told and have found out that it's not a good idea... Cardinal tetras are a good choice, as well as neon tetras (as long as you don't have any fish that will try to eat them!). You could have some of those with black skirt tetras, or if you want larger fish you could go with gouramis. Just be careful what other fish you have if you decide on gouramis! You could mix tetras and platies, but I suggest you don't add any mollies. Mollies are more aggressive than platies, and they're best kept with other mollies, platies, or gouramis. That's about all I know on the subject... I'm a beginner, but I hope this advice helps you anyway. Good luck! __________________ Creatures great and small, I love 'em all! But mainly the fish.

08-12-2011, 02:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
NeonShark666 Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 806 Name: Jim Location: Salem, Oregon Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 78 Times Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 247 Times in 237 Posts	Re: Betta Friends in a 29 Gallon? Any of the Corys, small Tetras and small Rasboras would be fine. Stay away from most fish with Cichlid in their name. Male Bettas are favorite targets for fin nippers which Cichlids like to do. Rams are a little delicate and need a lot of care. Kribs are tough and would do fine. Make sure there are plenty of floating plants for your Betta to hide in. Remember that Female Bettas don't fight and your can keep several of them together.

08-12-2011, 02:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
majerah1 Wild betta tamer majerah1's Photo Gallery Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 4,296 Name: Beverly D Fincannon Location: Easley,SC My location Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,736 Times Said "Thanks" 547 Times Was Thanked 1,129 Times in 1,014 Posts	Re: Betta Friends in a 29 Gallon? Many times a betta will work for most other types of fish if the others are smaller and dont have the flowy fins like a betta.the main issue with tank mates is a betta is slower and is considered a target to fin nipping fish like tetras.However,if you have a nice school,the nipping will stay within the school and Mr betta should be ok.You still have to watch the temperment of the betta however.Some do not mind a few fish swimming with them,while others will see them as a nuisance,and try to get rid of them. __________________ http://bountifulbettas.blogspot.com/ "Come to the dark side....we have cookies...and filters/heaters/and water changes!"

08-12-2011, 07:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
MissPisces novice aquarium nut MissPisces's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 428 Name: Just call me Liz. Or Beth. Or just Elizabeth! It's my middle/nick name Location: Texas, United States Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 213 Times Said "Thanks" 115 Times Was Thanked 76 Times in 73 Posts	Re: Betta Friends in a 29 Gallon? Three platies is perfect! You can get more if you want to, but two or three should do very well if you decide to get them. They should get along fine with most other fish you get. Just remember that mollies are more aggressive! lol And it sounds like your little guy is spirited! __________________ Creatures great and small, I love 'em all! But mainly the fish.

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08-12-2011, 09:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,419 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 4,151 Times Said "Thanks" 1,617 Times Was Thanked 1,809 Times in 1,549 Posts	Re: Betta Friends in a 29 Gallon? A word of warning, don't get females, as they can be pregnant when you get them and they can give you babies for 6 to 8 months without a male around as they will hold sperm. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

08-13-2011, 02:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
roarsirroar Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 16 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Betta Friends in a 29 Gallon? well after some thinking, i've decided to keep my mr. betta in his happy 3.5 :p with that said.... could i still have some platies? i've realized that they come in a variety so can i have 4 of them all in different varieties? and if i could...could i have a type of gourami with them as well? also...i was planning on having this tank in the family room where we have a tv and some surround sound speakers. will the fish be okay with that amount of noise? so overall i was thinking of 4 platies, 5-6 cories, 1 dwarf gourami, and 9 tetras/schooling fish. is that too much? sorry! so many questions!

08-13-2011, 07:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
roarsirroar Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 16 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Betta Friends in a 29 Gallon? oh and do you think i can get a nerite snail? i think they are cute :p

08-13-2011, 08:03 PM	#13 (permalink)
MissPisces novice aquarium nut MissPisces's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 428 Name: Just call me Liz. Or Beth. Or just Elizabeth! It's my middle/nick name Location: Texas, United States Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 213 Times Said "Thanks" 115 Times Was Thanked 76 Times in 73 Posts	Re: Betta Friends in a 29 Gallon? I think that sounds good, IMHO. I can't tell you anything about gouramis, but having different kinds of platies should do fine. The snail would be OK too, I think. Again, I'm a beginner, but I can at least share some of the things I've learned on this forum! :D __________________ Creatures great and small, I love 'em all! But mainly the fish.

08-14-2011, 12:32 AM	#14 (permalink)
roarsirroar Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 16 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Betta Friends in a 29 Gallon? is it ok if i replace the dwarf with one female opaline gourami? or is that too large? dwarfs are too small for my liking and i'm afraid of their poor health... maybe i can down the tetra number to 6... Last edited by roarsirroar : 08-14-2011 at 12:53 AM.

08-14-2011, 01:21 AM	#15 (permalink)
Pigeonfish Pigeonfish's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 834 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 107 Times Said "Thanks" 205 Times Was Thanked 373 Times in 345 Posts	Re: Betta Friends in a 29 Gallon? You need to know if the Nerites came from freshwater or saltwater... if they came from saltwater, you'd have to drip acclimate them. Also make sure to feed them properly since they need algae. __________________ my dream aquarium...

08-14-2011, 09:20 PM	#16 (permalink)
roarsirroar Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 16 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Betta Friends in a 29 Gallon? i know i am changing my mind alot but i will take my previous stocking list in consideration if my recent plan fails. i know i said i didn't want to have a betta sorority cause of high failure rate but i just can't seem to get the idea out of my mind. i have research a whole lot about them for a while now and i have decided i want to set one up. so i was thinking maybe 7 females...i know i can fit more but i also want some other fish and the females will have plenty of room to get away from eachother with just 7. so with this new plan, what do you suggest i stock? thank you so much for all of your help and i'm sorry i keep changing my mind! and @Pigeonfish i will keep in mind of that! ;)

08-15-2011, 11:41 PM	#18 (permalink)
roarsirroar Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 16 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Betta Friends in a 29 Gallon? i might use eco-complete...not sure yet though cause i'm a bit indimidated by substrate plants (or whatever they're called xD) do you think i could do 7 female bettas 8 harlequin rasboras 6 cories/kuhlis/?? i have a feeling thats overstocked but i'm no expert. i don't know if i want bottom dwellers. but i think if i didn't, it would unbalance the tank (cause its top, middle, bottom, yeah?). i could reduce the betta number to 5 if that helps... lol i asked this on another forum but i want a second opinion :p thanks!

08-16-2011, 11:04 AM	#20 (permalink)
roarsirroar Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 16 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1 Times Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Betta Friends in a 29 Gallon? oh yeah i don't want both! i just don't know which one i'd want. cories are kind of expensive... i'm going back and forth on the idea of harlequins or cardinals...harlequins are hardier but cardinals look so much cooler... how many bags do you think i'll need of it? i'm hoping not many cause its quite expensive. and what are some easy low light plants? i know java fern/moss, anachris, and anubias are.

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