Betta and school of tetra ???

[Papillon]

Hi One of my friends is setting up a 12 gallon tank, she has a betta and wants to know

a) Do tetras go well with a betta?

b) If so how many neons can she put in that size tank?

Also does she need corys etc to "clean" the tank....

Thank you for all your help...

Marie

 

[aspiringangel]

I knew someoe who had a school of 15 neons with a betta - it turned out beautifull,y i think it was in a 15 g though. You could probably get 8 or so tetras in there, just be careful your friend has a betta that isn't really aggressive, and it should be fine.

 

[Papillon]

I know it's all in their personalities, like this one, looks peaceful and happy and content, but Lord knows what he would do if he were with others... Decisions, decisions... I feel as though I am fish obsessed!! Can't make up my mind about anything....

I need a life!!!!!!

 

[Leopardess]

You could also try some glo lite tetras. But if you are unsure as to the temperment of your betta, try getting some other fish on the condition that you can bring them back if they don't work out. Add them in on a day where you can be around to supervise what is going on, and have a net ready in case things aren't going well.

Good luck

 

[Papillon]

That's a good idea.. Is it really obscene to put a Betta by himself in a 12 gallon tank??? They have specials on the Eclipse series? I worry that he will become lonely.... I know I am a sick puppy//

 

[ducksarefun]

i know you can't go entirely by what goes on in fish stores, but in my LFS (which is great by the way) they have a betta in with a tank full of neons.

i know what you mean, though, i wonder if mine is lonely too.

 

[Leopardess]

I don't think bettas get lonely...I think they are like hamsters where they are fine with being solitary. If that's all you are comfortable doing, I'm sure he would appreciate the 12g all to himself!

I know you said tetras, but you could also get some harlequin rasboras or scissortail rasboras, both of which are peaceful. You could get eight or nine harlequins and probably four to six scissortails. Also, other options are a few dwarf frogs and some cories. I think it would look cool to have a school of neons or glolites, especially if your betta is darker in color. I am in the process of setting up a ten gallon tank for my betta and I'm going to get either the neons/cardinals or glowlights. I'm doing the tank with lots of dark mosses and lava rock so the contrast will be wayyy cool...hopefully

But I really don't think that they get lonely...they are so laid back...

 

[Papillon]

Good ideas thank you, this gives me a better sense... I think I will go with the 12 gallon. Your ideas of the dark against the neon colours of the tetras and my Betta would look really cool...

 

[cowlovergirl]

My betta is in with my tetra's.. They get along fine it seems..