My First Betta! A few questions!!!

[ashbaxter]

Hi All!

After thinking about it for some time i have decided to set up and purchase my first Betta. I have got a 21liter or 6 gallon tank and set up with the heater and filter and my first thought was do they need a bubble machine like i have in my main tropical tanks?> i tried reading various forums but none had any suggestions.

Next up I have read so many different opinions on tank mates. Im happy to just have the one guy in the tank but some people have said they like to have placid tank mates. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions on yes or no and if so possible tank mates?>

I think thats my two big questions! trying to get all my research done before i go any furthur!

ash

[Tiari]

Do not get an air-stone, Betta in general don't like them and prefer very calm water.

Make sure you have plenty of silk plants. Plastic plants can tear their fins. They also like a lot of plants to hide/rest in.

I wouldn't recommend tank mates in a 6 gallon. Most that get along well with Betta (harlequin, neon) need schools and the tank is too small to host a large enough school for them to be happy. You could do a mystery snail, they are interesting and fun to watch.

[bethyMT]

I completely defer to Tiari.

However, if you get regulator for the airstone/bubbler, you could have one with a tiny bubble stream. The regulators are very cheap...you could probably pick up a pack of them with some splitters/etc. for a few bucks. Some bettas like to play in the bubbles. You just can't have it going full blast or even half blast....very little airflow.

I personally felt a bit nervous not having an airstone. Silly, I know, and probably a result of all my years of keeping tropical tanks. But if you think it's important, you can try it, and take it out if your betta doesn't like it.

[Goes to 11!]

+1 to no tank mates other than a snail.

Betta are Labyrinth fish and do not require an airstone. The surface disturbance would not be appreciated by them either when trying to build a bubble nest.
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[bethyMT]

Awww, 850R, they don't NEED it, but water that's deprived of O2 isn't really awesome either...it's a preference thing. And it does have to be turned way down. Some fish like to play with the bubbles, and some fish hate it/are impeded. I have found it's not a problem if it's very low, and the filter is baffled...

But hey, I'm crazy, I know.

[Tiari]

850R is correct. Flow from the filter should provide enough oxygen into the water for the Betta. I would say, in my experience, 99% of Betta really hate air stones and "bubblers", it isn't natural to them in the slightest. Once in a while you might find one that thinks its amusing, but not constantly.

Bubblers are also a big no, as they are a deterrent to bubble nesting. The turbulence to the water breaks apart their nests, and it will cause one VERY stressed out Betta.

[bethyMT]

Sorry Ash. Didn't mean to confuse you. The others are right, I am not.

So as not to hijack your thread, I have started another. I still have a lot to learn with bettas.