tips for betta's?

[tropicfishman]

anyone got any tips for betta's? i bought my first one yesterday and was wondering if theres any tips out there for them. ITs i na ten gallon with a red tailed shark, a black molly and 2 tiger barbs, they all seem to get along fine, no fin nipping yet lol but any tips or advice is well appreciated

[TCTFish]

The redtailed shark will eventually outgrow the tank. As it grows and the tank becomes smaller to it, it may become aggressive toward tankmates. That is one fish you'd definitely would need to house in a larger tank eventually. Tiger barbs can get pretty nippy too as they grow, especially if they are not in a tight school of five or more. Too much for a ten gallon. You're lucky the two aren't bothering the betta. Keep an eye on them and good luck. If the betta does get picked on he can go into a bowl.

The tiger barbs are going to nip the crap out of your beta's fins.

The tiger barbs and red tail shark are both going to get to big for a 10 gallon. The tiger barbs.. not so much to big but they need a LOT of space and need to be in large schools.

[CGGorman]

I've got a beautiful red Crowntail with a brilliant blue line at the base of his fins. Pretty cool little fish.

DON'T use a product called "BettaFIX" or any other anti-fungal/anti-microbial that contains the active ingredient Melaleuca (sp). Apparently it inhibts proper labrynth function and puts an already sick Betta into further distress. I lost one, I believe, due to complications with this ingredient.

Further, Bettas like quite warm tanks with low circulation, floating plants, and dark substrates. Natural habitat is considered "swamp". They shold also have healthy appetites.

[Rondory]

red tailed shark, a black molly and 2 tiger barbs,

Mr Betta is going to be one very unhappy fishy.

[tropicfishman]

I knew i was going to get some grief about the inhabitants of my tank lol Fear not everything has been ok so far, the betta seriously loves his tank, him and the molly hang out together and just relax by the bubble stone alot, the barbs stay in there planted area and chase each other around, and the red tailed shark, he just stays in his cave or hangs around the other fish. theres been no fighting, no aggression to space, nothing so far, except my runt tiger barb died last night. but i kinda was expecting it to happen sooner or later. I am however going to get another 10 gallon setup and make the betta mansion of a tank, maybe i'll do it tommorow or the next day. thanks thoough for the advice, oh and as for the red tailed shark, he's going in the 29 gallon tank i'm buying with the barbs

[Hillbilly Jerry]

A betta is best housed in a tank that has 4-6" of water (depth), little or no current, and where he/she can not see any other fish. I have between 250 and 750 bettas here at any given moment. There's a small chance the one you have was hatched here, as I have wholesale clients in both Ashland and Huntington :P

I promise you, with 100% certainty, your poor betta isn't getting enough to eat, is stressed about the barb(s)/molly, hates the 12" deep tank and doesn't like the current from your filter (unless it's a corner or sponge filter that is.) Bettas are happy when they float lazily in the water with their fins hanging. Do your little fellow a favor and buy him a bowl or even a nice vase to live in. If you really want to go all out, divide your ten gallon in thirds, fill it half full, put a sponge filter and heater in it, and keep a trio. Heck, I'll have you breeding bettas in no time lol

[An t-iasg]

I think I revealed everything I know about bettas in this thread: Hope it can give you some tips.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/ftopic70024-0-asc-0.php

Originally Posted by Hillbilly Jerry

A betta is best housed in a tank that has 4-6" of water (depth), little or no current, and where he/she can not see any other fish. I have between 250 and 750 bettas here at any given moment. There's a small chance the one you have was hatched here, as I have wholesale clients in both Ashland and Huntington :P

I promise you, with 100% certainty, your poor betta isn't getting enough to eat, is stressed about the barb(s)/molly, hates the 12" deep tank and doesn't like the current from your filter (unless it's a corner or sponge filter that is.) Bettas are happy when they float lazily in the water with their fins hanging. Do your little fellow a favor and buy him a bowl or even a nice vase to live in. If you really want to go all out, divide your ten gallon in thirds, fill it half full, *beep* sponge filter and heater in it, and keep a trio. Heck, I'll have you breeding bettas in no time lol

Yes I agree with Hillbilly 1000 times. I have been breeding Crown tail and vail tails and house over 250 right now with over 40 frys. That betta is not happy. The water is to deep,the flow from the air stone alone is to much for him not to mentain the filter.
the mollys will turn on him and the shark if it has any of the sme coloring as the beta will get picked on to some point. If you turly like or love your Betta remove him and add him to a 1.5g or 5 gal short and with a air pump you can adjust the air flow to hardly nothing so the movment of the water dosn't mess with his long flowing fins.