10g betta sorority.

ValRasbora

Superstar Fish
May 2, 2009
1,202
0
0
Atlantic Canada
#1
alright! So as many of you know, I am going to start a oriental-themed 10g betta sorority- my stocking will be this: http://www.aqadvisor.com/AquStockIm...=10&H=12&J=&F=5:200909300016:,2:200909300155: anyways if you have any ideas for more "oriental" bottomfeeders, that's great. Otherwise I'll use good old cories :) so the tank will have live lucky bamboo (no worries, I've read up on it) and a hand-made background (made by me :) I'll attach pics) so yeah... enjoy!
~Val
 

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misterking

Superstar Fish
Aug 12, 2008
1,124
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Manchester, UK
www.facebook.com
#3
^ having said that, a couple of dwarf chain loaches or a few kuhli loaches could work. I don't know where that would put you on AqAdvisor (I don't personally like to use it) but they're probably the smallest south-east Asian tropical bottom feeders that are likely to be readily available I reckon.
 

bassbonediva

Superstar Fish
Oct 15, 2009
2,010
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Northern Arizona
#4
Actually, bettas are quite happy in 75F water, so the hillstream loaches (if you can find them) would work. Note, 75F water is at the lower end of their preferred temperature range, but not too cold for them.

LOVE the background, Val! You should have it lamenated against possible water damage.
 

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ValRasbora

Superstar Fish
May 2, 2009
1,202
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0
Atlantic Canada
#6
yes the background is laminated (wasn't in the picture). I now have all my bamboo. I got 7 stalks and it cost me only about $5! So anyways I think I'll probably just stick with good old corydoras for bottom-feeders. I MIGHT get snails. Suggestions welcome :)
 

paperdog9

Large Fish
Dec 11, 2009
633
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0
Your Imagination
#8
I don't know if you'd consider this oriental, but a couple ghost shrimp would work, AND ghost shrimp origenate in Asia. They are fun to watch, one of mine climbs up plants and swims at the top in attemp to grab food at feeding time!!;) I would get maybe 4 or 5, but they don't really have to be ghost shrimp. If you can find cherry shrimp, that'd be more cooler (good grammer, right?) Oh ya, and they're cheap (got mine for 33¢ each :O )
 

PlecoCollector

Superstar Fish
Aug 21, 2005
1,430
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Clinton, NY
#9
If you're looking for a bottom feeder you can try to go with Amano (Algae-eating) Shrimp, which stay small and are very active. Bamboo shrimp may work as well if you want to go with the oriental theme, though the tank will need to be cycled before you add them.

As people have said, Hillstream Loaches require rather cold water to thrive, plus they highly benefit from a strong-current and fairly heavy planting. They would be better off in a river-speciality tank, IMO. You're better off with Cory Cats or even some Khuli Loaches (dragons? :p) to keep the bottom active.

Good luck!
 

Newman

Elite Fish
Sep 22, 2009
4,668
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Northern NJ
#10
besides 4 bettas, not much can go in this tank.
Bamboo shrimp is a definite no because they need a 10gal to themselves (per 1-2 shrimp) and a very established tank.
amanos do grow larger than ghost shrimp eventually, but are a good suggestion instead og ghost shrimp.
If you have 4 bettas in there and a few shrimp, you're pretty much done stocking...
 

PlecoCollector

Superstar Fish
Aug 21, 2005
1,430
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Clinton, NY
#11
Meh, I'm not a Bamboo shrimp keeper, I know they get a bit larger. The Amano are wonderful wonderful little guys and I find them more attractive than Ghost Shrimp. I've seen Ghost shrimp get far larger than Amano; the ones I've had for 3+ years are still a very nice size, no more than 2".

If it's just Bettas they can probably do some bottom feeders/shrimp without worry. Since the Betta will swim in the top/middle area and the bottom feeders will stay... well on the bottom, there isn't much room for clashing. As long as the filtration is sufficient and providing enough water aggitation to give the bottom-feeders oxygen they'll be okay. Since the Betta have the labyrinth organ, there isn't as much of a "fight" for dissolved oxygen. Plus, if they went with shrimp, they have virtually no bio-load.
 

Newman

Elite Fish
Sep 22, 2009
4,668
0
0
Northern NJ
#12
well 4 female bettas, being ravenous eaters do carry a large amount of bioload, but that you mention it a few bottom feeders should be ok...nothing bigger than a pymgy cory though.
I personally find Cherry shrimp so much more entertaining than amano and ghost, mostly because they multiply on their own ;) These also provide a natural food source with their young for the bettas.
 

Newman

Elite Fish
Sep 22, 2009
4,668
0
0
Northern NJ
#17
i don't advise 2 pairs in one 10 gal. one pair is better. one of the males will fight for territory and the females. also if one male sucessfully breeds he will kill the other male or anything that goes near his nest. in a 30g+ tank this wouldn't be a problem as the others can simply move aside but in a 10 gal this is a huge problem.. they may be peaceful but in those close quarters you don't want to chance it.