Algae Eating Tank Mate for a betta [Archive]

View Full Version : Algae Eating Tank Mate for a betta

MacAnthony

09-26-2007, 03:56 PM

I recently changed my fry tank to hold a betta due to the kids coercion. The tank is looking kinda dirty from all the algae and I would rather try and find a fish that will help instead of relying on a chemical solution.

I wasn't sure what would work well with the betta and was thinking that maybe a pleco or perhaps some shrimp might work alright. The shrimp seemed less likely, but I wanted some opinions. The betta is new, obviously, but seems to be on the more aggressive side.

Thoughts???

SkarloeysMom

09-26-2007, 04:37 PM

First let me say WOW! You've got some awesome pictures of your fish. You must have one really nice set up to get a shot of a zebra danio in perfect focus! :19:

Some folks here have otos cats with bettas. If you think yours is on the aggressive side you could try a few otos and maybe move the otos to your bigger tank if the betta starts picking on them. Not sure how many you'd need for a 5g. Corys do well with bettas sometimes but I don't know how well they would clean your algae though. I think ghost shrimp are compatible with bettas too.

CAF

09-26-2007, 05:10 PM

recently changed my fry tank to hold a betta due to the kids coercion. The tank is looking kinda dirty from all the algae and I would rather try and find a fish that will help instead of relying on a chemical solution.

I wasn't sure what would work well with the betta and was thinking that maybe a pleco or perhaps some shrimp might work alright. The shrimp seemed less likely, but I wanted some opinions. The betta is new, obviously, but seems to be on the more aggressive side.

Thoughts???.

Depending on how agressive your particular fish is you may not want to provide ANY tankmates. I have seen bettas kill every other thing in the tank. Conversely, I have seen them be the most peaceful fish in the world. In regards to shrimp, they are food. I have never seen any betta who did not try to eat one, no matter the size.

First let me say WOW! You've got some awesome pictures of your fish. You must have one really nice set up to get a shot of a zebra danio in perfect focus! :19:

Some folks here have otos cats with bettas. If you think yours is on the aggressive side you could try a few otos and maybe move the otos to your bigger tank if the betta starts picking on them. Not sure how many you'd need for a 5g. Corys do well with bettas sometimes but I don't know how well they would clean your algae though. I think ghost shrimp are compatible with bettas too.

All shrimp are food to bettas.... They will eventually peck them to death. Most fish find inverts to be delicacies.

zackish

09-26-2007, 05:27 PM

You are limited with a 5 gallon to a otoclinus which is about it. One will do the trick.

Nick_Pavlovski

09-27-2007, 12:31 AM

Those are awesome photos, I definitely concur with SkarloeysMom!

MacAnthony

09-27-2007, 06:55 PM

Thanks for all the input. It would really be hard to tell how aggressive it would be with other fish since we didn't have it with other fish, but I had the swordtail in the tank when I had him in the bag in the water and it definitely became agitated. I will try it out and find something to help with hiding in the tank.

First let me say WOW! You've got some awesome pictures of your fish. You must have one really nice set up to get a shot of a zebra danio in perfect focus! :19:

Thanks. I bought a new digital camera, a Olympus E-500 last year with my end of the year bonus and I've really enjoyed trying out macro photography with the fish and the aquarium. I still need to get some photos of the new additions though. Thanks for reminding me!!! :)

CAF

09-27-2007, 08:31 PM

Thanks for all the input. It would really be hard to tell how aggressive it would be with other fish since we didn't have it with other fish, but I had the swordtail in the tank when I had him in the bag in the water and it definitely became agitated. I will try it out and find something to help with hiding in the tank.

Thanks. I bought a new digital camera, a Olympus E-500 last year with my end of the year bonus and I've really enjoyed trying out macro photography with the fish and the aquarium. I still need to get some photos of the new additions though. Thanks for reminding me!!! :)
Having taken photos of danios before, first of all congratulations!!! Second, how many pictures did you toss out as unsuable? I know the ratio for me is close to 1 good pic and 20 bad ones... LOL

MacAnthony

09-27-2007, 09:25 PM

Having taken photos of danios before, first of all congratulations!!! Second, how many pictures did you toss out as unsuable? I know the ratio for me is close to 1 good pic and 20 bad ones... LOL

I think my ratio was around 1:5 but most of mine weren't focus or blurry issues. Mostly issues of lighting (flash reflections and such) or just a matter of the fish moving out of the shot.

jeffs99dime

09-27-2007, 09:27 PM

very nice pics. nice quality

CAF

09-27-2007, 09:30 PM

I think my ratio was around 1:5 but most of mine weren't focus or blurry issues. Mostly issues of lighting (flash reflections and such) or just a matter of the fish moving out of the shot.
Must have a fster shutter speed. I am using a Samsung NV3, overall I can't complain as it is on the low end cost wise... Definately one of the better ones for its price tho...

MacAnthony

09-27-2007, 09:41 PM

Yeah, I can set shutter speeds up to 1/4000 of a second (never used it that fast yet though) with all manual overrides since it's a digital SLR. But I paid about 3 times as much too. Photography is another hobby so it was worth it.

CAF

09-27-2007, 10:04 PM

MacAnthony

09-28-2007, 06:55 PM

I guess the point of this is mute now. Our mollies had babies this morning so what was once a fry tank, is now a fry tank again since my wife moved them in and the betta out. The algae in the tank is probably good for the fry though.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

CAF

09-28-2007, 06:59 PM