Hi everyone, I've been keeping goldfish for a while now and would like to branch out a little bit. I have a 10 US gallon/35 litre tank going spare and from what I've gathered from doing my research this would more more than big enough for one male betta.
However, I would like to maybe keep a few other fish in the tank too, without overstocking it, and bearing in mind I haven't kept tropical fish before, so hopefully ones with similar requirements.

Can anybody suggest some good combinations to go with one male?

Also I've read some really conflicting articles on keeping females together, I wouldn't mind doing this but would that work?

Any help greatly appreciated!

here is a thread from the top of th betta section that Koko posted on community tanks
http://www.kokosgoldfish.invisionzone.com/...showtopic=52042

Thanks, I did take a look at that, but it doesn't really give me an idea of numbers which is more what my problem is. Like I said, I wouldn't want to unknowingly overstock a 10 gallon tank.

I was really wondering if people could give examples of what 10 gall set ups they had with a male betta, what works from past experience etc.

I personally wouldn't want to risk any other fish with a male betta, although I am sure many people do it.

But, I have discussed keeping female bettas in a 10 gallon tank, and they say that you can keep 6 of them in a 10 gallon (filtered of course).

Interesting about not keeping any other fish with a male betta - that would've been my instinct, but others say it's ok. There is so much conflicting opinion, which is why I thought I'd ask people with experience.

Any problems keeping females with other fish?

Thanks

Keeping other fish with a male betta really depends on his personality, if he is calm and laid back then you shouldn't have a problem but sometimes they can be real bullies. If you don't have another tank to move the male betta into just incase he is the bully type then I wouldn't take the chance.

I have 2 females in a 20 gallon with some guppies and the only problem I ever have is with the 1 female. She can be very picky with what foods she eats and if she hasn't been eating like normal she will go after the other female, not enough to do a lot of damage but she has bitten off a piece of fin now and then. If you do get females you should really have at least 3 if you will have more then 1 so 1 female isn't picked on more then the other, like what goes on in my tank. Females can be bullies too though and I think 6 may be a little too much in a 10 gallon unless there are lots of hiding places for each fish. Most people who have sorority tanks say it is best to get them all at the same time from the same tank and if they are sisters then it is even better but I haven't seen them sell females in tank in a couple years now, I only see them in the little cups like the males. But as long as you introduce them at the same time it should be fine. You don't want 1 or some of them to establish their territories then add a new fish because the new fish will get picked on. Oh and this goes for males as well, if you had a tank setup up with whatever fish you wanted with him and had it set up for a while then added the male betta it is better then having him in there first thinking the whole tank is his and adding what is to him trespassers.

Thanks that's useful. I think I might consider females now. 3 in a 10 gallon would be ok I presume?

I've got some problems with that link. For one, its way too general. Take for instance the first fish on the list, tetras. Neon tetras would probably be ok, but if you happen to pick a blackskirt tetra, you're going to have some real problems. The same is true for most of the fish on that list, unfortunately. And 3" koi? Don't 3" koi become 10" koi pretty quickly?

That being said, I know a lot of people have had success putting a betta in a community tank, I personally would never try it. Just my opinion.

lclayton - I think three females would make a really neat tank. I'd make sure there are a couple good hidey holes though, just to be on the safe side. A heater, while not requiried, would prolong the quality and life of your bettas as well.

balashark, tha's exactly what I thought about that list! "Some danios" - helpful! And koi belong in a pond, in my opinion.

3 females it is I think Thanks very much!

I agree, 3 females should be fine. Make sure to post a pic once you have the tank all set up

I will!

What do you reckon to a few (4?) Neon tetras in there for a bit of variety?

I don't see what you couldn't do that, I actually plan on adding some neons once I get rid of some guppies.

I have one female betta in a 20 gal tank with 1 male and 1 female swordtail, one platy, one gold barb, and 2 cory catfish. I did have her in a bowl but she started to get kinda lethargic and clamped her fins all the time. Since I put her in the 20 gal she has really perked up and seems very happy. She's not afraid to get her share of food--even eats flake food even though a lot of bettas don't. The only problem has been the male st will nip at her tail if she's in his way.

I also put a male betta in my 16 gal recently. He's with hatchet fish and cories. The hatchets just swim over the top of him at feeding time and he gets kinda pushed around but he is doing better now at getting food. I haven't noticed him being aggressive with the others at all--he just takes it in stride and seems to really like all that space.