could a male betta...

[squidster]

go in a 20 gal. tank. I'm thinkin it is too big of a tank but, I'm new to fish tanks

[Rue]

Not too big at all...why would you think so?

[*Sarah*]

Nope, I'm sure your betta will be happy to have so much space to stretch his fins :) You could always add a few Corydora Catfish or Otto Cats for clean up duty.

[squidster]

the reason why i thought that was because i have allways seen bettas in small tanks. Will it fight with the tetras i'm going to get
Thanks, you have been alot of help

[MeganL3985]

Just tryin to be cute, but how would you like living in a mansion? lol ;)
20 gal is fine for a betta. And sarahs suggestion is right on....some cory's or oto's would be an awesome addition. I have 2 oto's in my 5 gal and looooove them!

[MeganL3985]

Ohhh I dont think Tetra's are such a good idea. Tetras are fine nippers.

[*Sarah*]

Ah I forgot you were doing that tank with the Tetras and such. Well bettas are really hit and miss. SOme will be ok in a community tank, others will not tolerate any other fish. Megan is right, Tetras can be fin nippers and Bettas aren't very quick so he may get picked on.

[squidster]

so, if i'm understanding you right, some bettas will live peacefully with my other fish and some wont so, all i can do is try, Right?
thanks

[MeganL3985]

I guess you could try, but just my personal opinion....I wouldn't even try. Unless your willing and ready to have another place to separate your betta from the others if the fin nipping does occur. I would rather not risk having an unhappy or damaged betta. sorry...

[squidster]

my betta is currently in a rely small tank, that is why i want to put him in the big tank so then he has more room

[Rue]

I have a community tank (25g) with 1 male betta and 3 females...

...and:

3 Serpae Tetras
4 Zebra danios
2 Platies
3 Mollies
6 Cories
6 Otos
1 Shrimp

...lots of filtration, but not to the point of disturbing the tank with raging flows...

[squidster]

thanks everybody

[MeganL3985]

Well if you already have a smaller tank for him now, I don't see a problem with puttin him in another tank with other fish, as long as you monitor him. Just keep his tank up and running for a few days till you get the feel of how they're going to react with one another. Good luck :)

[AquaQueen]

I am going to have to differ with the rest of you....I have my Betta in a 45Gal with four different kinds of tetras and a gourami and they all get along just fine. I have never seen any problems between any of my fish and my Betta...the Gourami don't like anyone feeding above him at feeding time he chases them so they stay below him while eating. So as stated it all depends on the fish they can be nippy but you wont know if you don't try it. So in all reality you CAN put some Betta's in with other fish...even tetras.

[calla]

I'm sure some bettas work fine in community tanks, probably even most... from what people here have said. I have a friend whose betta lives like a king in her 75 gallon, but when we got ours and tried to put him the 55 he went after EVERYONE. I tried moving him to the 20 gallon and he tried to take the plecos spot behind a plant. This was the first time I'd seen the pleco fight, or get excited really at all for that matter haha. I had a hex 5 set up and planned to get some neons or some small shoalling fish, but when the betta showed so much aggression I threw his butt in there. He is much happier and more relaxed now in a tank by himself.

Really, like you said, all you can do is try.... you'll know pretty quickly if it will work out.

[Kuli_Loach]

A good community fish to go with him would be like platys.

[radiant sea snail]

If you have the money and space, bigger is usually a great choice. I've got my male betta in a 10 gallon right now. If we ever get a 20 or 29, you can bet I'd love to upgrade him in one of those.

But then, I'm the girl whose animal pens take up her dining room, part of her bedroom, and her living room.

[Kuli_Loach]

My betta is in a half filled 10g with newts and such. Bettas have different personalities just like us, some mean, some nice.

[corykeeper]

I read the key is make your betta comfortable is low waterflow and lots of live or artificial plants.Floating plants provide aplace to rest or hide and reduce water movement to help keep the bubblenest from moving or breaking up.A Betta with lots of cover is a happy fish.
It has worked with mine to the point he builds his nest and then courts one of the corys.

The fish said to be compatible in a Betta tank are: Platies, Swordtails, Cory Cats, Neon Tetras, Cardinal Tetras, White Clouds, Zebra Danios and Cherry barbs.

The fin nipping by the neons may be a result of group size.A small group may feel the Betta a threat.The Betta may also attack a small group.
No mention was made to how small (reports said only Small group or school).
6 or more might be a good starting point.

[MeganL3985]

Becareful with the plants you put in with your betta though, as I found out the hard way...some can pull on the fins and rip them to shreds. I found silk plants or very rounded, soft plastic plants do okay also.

[SkarloeysMom]

I tried a betta in a community tank with otos and white clouds once but it was only a 5g and it was TOO small. I was inexperiences and overstocked.

My thought is that the best chance of a betta working out in a community is a bigger tank with lots of room and hiding places. But that said, some bettas are just a bit to fisty for a community. I have one that literally jumps out of the water at me when I feed him. I don't think he would do well with others for some reason. :ezpi_wink1:

[corykeeper]

Becareful with the plants you put in with your betta though, as I found out the hard way...some can pull on the fins and rip them to shreds. I found silk plants or very rounded, soft plastic plants do okay also.

Good point.That is why our Betta found a new 10g home.The 5 had plastic plants.Every time he turned sharp he'd snag his tail fin.2 weeks it was in taters.4 weeks of swimming in silk he is well healed.