Hi Everyone!

[Coursair]

Exercised him for a while, fed him, he's soooooooo happy to be exploring all the room he had in his tank in comparison to the tiny cup he was in.

Soooooooo... If I were to get otocincluses, how many could I get?

Don't add Otos to a new tank. Wait. If you add Otos ? I'd do 3 at least. They are social.

A Nerite Snail would be fine instead or Otos.
You could try 3 Ghost Shrimp, but add them when lights are out.

 

[nirbhao]

Nerites are phenomenal for algae. I *never* see a speck. I actually have to add seaweed for them to get enough food.

 

[FishMommy8962]

Okay, thanks guys, I did a teeny bit of research and found out that otos shouldn't be in anything less than a twenty gallon. Nirbhao, how big do nerites get? I just want to be sure that Bernie won't be able to hurt them (when/if I get some). thanks for all the help guys!

 

[FishMommy8962]

Okay, thanks guys, I did a teeny bit of research and found out that otos shouldn't be in anything less than a twenty gallon. Nirbhao, how big do nerites get? I just want to be sure that Bernie won't be able to hurt them (when/if I get some). thanks for all the help guys!

Getting some nerites today!

 

[nirbhao]

Oh sorry I missed your question. They stay reasonably small, like olives. Mysteries and rabbits are the snails that get big.

 

[FishMommy8962]

Oh sorry I missed your question. They stay reasonably small, like olives. Mysteries and rabbits are the snails that get big.

Thanks! I'm thinking about getting two or three.

 

[nirbhao]

Thanks! I'm thinking about getting two or three.

Sounds perfect.

 

[FishMommy8962]

I got three and they are quite active! I'll post some pics later [emoji4]

 

[Coursair]

I got three and they are quite active! I'll post some pics later [emoji4]

3 Nerites will possibly starve in a 10g. Esp since it's a new tank. I don't add them till the tank is well established and I have GSA on the walls.

Try feeding blanched veggies. Mine won't touch prepared foods [emoji53]

I added 1 to a 10g that had some algae and he starved once the algae was gone. Hoping yours eat for you.

My 2 that I have, I can rotate them into other tanks. Currently they are working on my 55g.

 

[nirbhao]

You can also add sheet seaweed. I usually leave it overnight.

 

[FishMommy8962]

I still have plenty of algae for them. My tank always has tons of algae on it, plus I feed them algae wafers. I'll definitely try the blanched veggies. Thanks!

Ooh, I'll see if I can try the seaweed

It's really cute to see Bernie interacting with the snails. He'll go over to them pause, and stare for a little bit. Then he'll move on. He does this really often. Sometimes he rubs against them when he swims by. It's pretty adorable.

 

[maxhrbal]

Aha! Thank you! That definitely could be my issue.

What would I attach it with? Some thread?

My Anubias plants are thriving PARTIALLY rooted in sand. Keeps them down perfectly and the little bit of roots exposed are hidden by plants in front of it.

 

[maxhrbal]

Probably just reiterating things you already know [emoji851]. Good to see responsible fish owners who research as much as possible. You're right, ottos are probably not the best idea for a ten gallon, though they are amazing fish! They also "need" to be in a shoal of at least 6. They also need a well established tank, like mentioned.
I love watching bettas interact with other creatures. They all have different temperaments! One betta I had didn't like ANY tank mates (I've only dared to try ottos and corys.). And mine have also showed a great interest in snails! I have much doubt that a betta would harm a snail. Most bettas would certainly not do well with any other "schooling fish" like tetras. I wouldn't even try IMO.
I also had issues with current, my betta had trouble finding resting places....I urge you to look at the floating betta log (by zoo med I think,) mine have always loved it, though I had to secure it in one spot. I've no experience here, but keeping a male with a female is probably not a good idea in most cases...I think haha. Females can stay in groups together, I've always wanted a betta sorority LOL.

About flaring, with a mirror...(from my experience and research, though not necessarily always true either...) it can stress them out if done too often. I believe it's beneficial to do every so often.(ego boost and a sense of successful defense, to put it vaguely.) One of my bettas would become stressed for at least 2 days, refusing to eat, searching for that "intruder" who dares to enter his humble abode. You know your betta though and can determine what's best[emoji16]. Such inquisitive creatures all having different personalities.
The betta I have mentioned several times has since passed due to my ignorance[emoji17]. I was well aware that they could jump out of a tank, though it didn't seem common. But Murphy's law prevailed. He lived a relatively long and and very happy life in his 10G planted tank. I don't like glass lids on planted tanks and I still have yet to try again, maybe I shouldn't without a top.

 

[maxhrbal]

If Bernie is rather docile, maybe try a BN pleco...maybe. It may be too big, posing a threat to Bernie. Do some google searches to see others experiences. But yeah, generally speaking bettas should be kept alone, besides [emoji222]! Again, use your judgement and keep a careful eye if you add a tank mate.
My betta, in the early stages of his tank when he was with a few corys and ottos, would tend to nip at the ottos more than the corys. He would actually go rest with the corys at the bottom sometimes. I was just still very skeptical of his behavior and out of worry, decided against keeping them together...(Murphy's law.)
The reasons he nipped at the ottos I think is because ottos aren't too smart. They don't respect the personal space of other fish and obviously a betta doesn't want ottos swimming all around them as fast as a bullet! (They are like darts, hence why they need larger tanks.)
The corys on the other hand knew to stay clear, and knew who was boss! They had their separate safe areas and everything. I personally want to try the Cory/betta combo again one day, depending on the betta. Like ottos, corys like to be in groups of 6 or more. In a 10 gallon, 6 corys and a betta I believe is very POSSIBLE....key word there! Haha!

Sorry for the long posts and possibly the redundancy! Are you able to post pictures? I'm sure everyone would love to see a full tank shot with Bernie!

 

[Betta keeper]

I'll add my Betta experience, if it helps you to make a decision.

I had our boy in a ten gallon tank, with assassin snails

After awhile of having him, his owner decided he apparently became "boring" lol so I decided to take the risk yesterday afternoon and see how he did with the community tank. I have a bristlenose pleco, 4 assassin snails, and two small schools of peaceful small fish(minnows and neon tetras)

He bothered one snail who vended into the top of the tank but ignores all of the fish..

I'm actually quite amazed by this calm response to the community, but Mr Betta tends to have a generally calm disposition. If your Betta is generally calm, you may be good with small, unobtrusive fish. I often see them in pet stores near me, with neons, platies, danios and quite content in their little community

My fish guy suggested the use of a breeder box for introduction and told me that he would flare within 30-45 minutes if there was going to be trouble

Good luck, and I hope this helps

 

[FishMommy8962]

Okay, wow, I have a lot to respond to. Firstly, yes, I already have the log and he's obsessed with it!!! [emoji177] I honestly don't plan on adding any other fish to this tank (especially a BN pleco, as they get far too large for a ten gallon). I do appreciate the suggestions, I am just quite pleased with the four babies that I have. But sometime in the future, I definitely plan on getting either a twenty long or a thirty bowfront, then switching everything from the ten over (obviously including the babies in it) and then adding 6-12 Cories. Also, just to let you all know, I bought three Amazon swords and they really make the tank look great. Most of the pics that I'm going to post in a second here are before I added the swords, but I'll add one full tank shot that includes them. Later I'll see if I can post some pics of the snails. Thanks for all the help you guys!

 

[Betta keeper]

Your Betta will love the sword...mine sleeps in his sword and plays in a young wisteria that he has. Both moved into the community tank with him and he located them within an hour lol

 

[FishMommy8962]

So I know that I've been saying that I'll post pics since I started this thread, so here they finally are.

 

[FishMommy8962]

Hmm, it double posted all the pictures.

 

[FishMommy8962]

These pics are how the tank used to look. The first pic is pre-Bernie and the second is when we first had him. You can tell because of how perfectly clean the sand is [emoji23]