Hi,
Ive got a spare 8 gal tank and was thinking about bettas. I used to keep one in there with some tetras but its been a q/t for the last 2 yrs. I quite fancy a male but have a few qs.

1) What else can i keep with him

2) How many other fish can i have in the 8 gal

3) Do i need a heater

4) I haven't got a lid or light for the tank is this a problem

There is a filter in the tank although id have to clear it out and start from scratch. Does this mean that i need to cycle the tank, is it the same as for g/f.

Any help would be great. Ive been concentrating on fancy g/f recently but reading these pages has given me the betta bug again

Thanks
Nick

Hi Nick
You cant keep flashy fish with your betta as the colours will make him attack, so no neons or guppies, males or females.
You could try a couple of cory and a few dither fish such as lemon tetras and pencilfish. You should try and keep the water at 78f as fluctuating temperatures stress bettas out and cause bacterial problems.

I stock tropical tanks by using the rule one gallon of water per inch of adult fish. A betta will be about two inches, so you can get up to 6 more inches (adult size) of fish. Go with something peaceful, I don't know a lot about white cloud minnows but maybe some of them? Reasearch out your selections before you buy and make sure that they are peaceful fish or they will tear the betta's fins up.

You will need a lid for the tank, lights are up to you. I prefer lights so that I can see the fish better, and I know they appreciate having a bright place to live. Bettas breathe air, so you will have to leave the water level down at least a half inch. The lights and hood help keep the air above the water warm and humid, which is good for mr. betta.

You will have to fishless cycle the tank, betta are very sensitive. Be careful on the filtration, you don't want the current too strong. Keep in mind that they are not very strong swimmers and are easily blown around by the output and can be sucked up to the intake tube. Well placed ornaments and plants will take care of this problem, tho.

Good luck and keep us posted about what you decide to do!

personally i would suggest corys to go with bettas, they are peaceful 'non-affensive' fish to bettas, and they are also just so cute!

I found out a little more info on temperatures for Bettas today, the ideal temperature range is 78-80°F, but I have had them in room temp water and they have done fine.

hiya im planning on keeping a betta in my 8 gal aswell! i have some white cloud minnows in there at the moment and i have been told that i can keep them with a male one. i will have 5 minnows and 1 betta. ill add the betta in about a month once the cycle has finished if you want i can tell you then wat happens. Minnows are quite peacefull and you shouldnt have much/any problems with keeping them with a betta. hope this helps a little! iain

Thanks guys. Do you suggest a normal cycle i.e with a few fish but not the betta?

ye do it with say 3 minnows but do not do it with a betta they are very fragile when it comes to cycling.