bettas in a community tank?

Robotunicorn · 08-12-2011, 09:48 PM

I was wondering if it would be a good idea to introduce a betta to my tank? I have a 125 gal community tank. 5 diamond tetras, 5 lemon tetras, 4 rosboras, 1 bala shark, 2 electric blue rams, 3 glass catfish, 3 green tiger barbs,1 siamese flying fish, 1 bristle nose pleco, 1 dwarf bristle nose pleco, 1 albino rainbow shark, 5 cardinal tetras, 9 roselines, 2 juraparis and lots of live plants. It's a very friendly tank and everyone knows there place. The glass cats have there space that all the other fish stay away from and the rams have there space and no one seems to bother anyone. The only fish that seem to get nippy are the tiger barbs but they usually only bug each other. I would hate to introduce a fish with a high possibility of fatality. I woud love to be able to add one or two to my tank. Any thoughts?

Kehy · 08-13-2011, 12:37 AM

A betta might not be the best choice, or at least one with long fins. I don't know about the other fish, but tiger barbs are known nippers. If you keep them in a larger school, maybe adding 2-3 more, they might settle down because they can nip on each other. A gourami might work, although I really don't have much experience with them.

NeonShark666 · 08-13-2011, 07:14 AM

I keep all my Bettas in community tanks. They hang out at the top in the floating plants and no one really bothers them. Males can't move very fast so stay away from fin nippers and bullies. Tiger Barbs are one of the fish I would worry about. In a 55G tank I every kept two Males and had no problems.

majerah1 · 08-13-2011, 07:42 AM

I agree,tiger barbs are nippers.You can however look for a short finned male.They can swim a little faster and the barbs will have less finnage to sneak up on and take a bite.

RobertTheFish · 08-13-2011, 09:34 AM

Yeah, my thought is that this could work. But maybe not.

And I agree completely with Maj that a plakat would have the best chance in a tank like that. He'll need plenty of hiding spots, like floating plants and caves.

If you go with a betta, just make sure you have a backup plan in case it doesn't work out.

You can
A) House him alone in something 2.5 gallons or larger.
B) House him in a smaller, less-nippy community.
C) Send him my way since I don't have a plakat yet, but I'd love one.

;-)

Best of luck! Sounds like you have an awesome aquarium going.

Sweetgreenleaf1369 · 08-14-2011, 03:07 AM

Get rid of the tiger barbs and you be fine

08-12-2011, 09:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
Robotunicorn Robotunicorn's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 37 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	bettas in a community tank? I was wondering if it would be a good idea to introduce a betta to my tank? I have a 125 gal community tank. 5 diamond tetras, 5 lemon tetras, 4 rosboras, 1 bala shark, 2 electric blue rams, 3 glass catfish, 3 green tiger barbs,1 siamese flying fish, 1 bristle nose pleco, 1 dwarf bristle nose pleco, 1 albino rainbow shark, 5 cardinal tetras, 9 roselines, 2 juraparis and lots of live plants. It's a very friendly tank and everyone knows there place. The glass cats have there space that all the other fish stay away from and the rams have there space and no one seems to bother anyone. The only fish that seem to get nippy are the tiger barbs but they usually only bug each other. I would hate to introduce a fish with a high possibility of fatality. I woud love to be able to add one or two to my tank. Any thoughts? __________________ 125 gallon community, planted and driftwood. 1 bala shark, 9 roselines, 3 tiger barbs, 4 rasbora tetras, 5 lemon tetras, 5 diamond tetras, 1 clown loach, 1 bristlenose pleco, 1 dwarf bristle nose pleco, 1 albino rainbow shark, 2 bamboo shrimp, 1 siamese flying fox, 4 cardinal tetras, 2 jurapari and , 2 electric blue rams. 10 gallon:10 red cherry shrimp, 1 crystal red shrimp, 100 snails and 5 assassin snails (hopefully no longer 100 snails) and various plants

08-13-2011, 12:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
Kehy master of the mini-tank Kehy's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 1,200 Name: Kehy Location: Ellensburg, Washington Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 374 Times Said "Thanks" 84 Times Was Thanked 336 Times in 326 Posts	Re: bettas in a community tank? A betta might not be the best choice, or at least one with long fins. I don't know about the other fish, but tiger barbs are known nippers. If you keep them in a larger school, maybe adding 2-3 more, they might settle down because they can nip on each other. A gourami might work, although I really don't have much experience with them. __________________ Lead me not to temptation...I can make it there myself just fine, thank you

08-13-2011, 07:14 AM	#3 (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: bettas in a community tank? I keep all my Bettas in community tanks. They hang out at the top in the floating plants and no one really bothers them. Males can't move very fast so stay away from fin nippers and bullies. Tiger Barbs are one of the fish I would worry about. In a 55G tank I every kept two Males and had no problems.

08-13-2011, 07:42 AM	#4 (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: bettas in a community tank? I agree,tiger barbs are nippers.You can however look for a short finned male.They can swim a little faster and the barbs will have less finnage to sneak up on and take a bite. __________________ http://bountifulbettas.blogspot.com/ "Come to the dark side....we have cookies...and filters/heaters/and water changes!"

08-14-2011, 03:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
Sweetgreenleaf1369 Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 157 Location: Lubbock, Texas My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 41 Times Said "Thanks" 26 Times Was Thanked 26 Times in 23 Posts	Re: bettas in a community tank? Get rid of the tiger barbs and you be fine

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