Betta tankmate

[ty6464]

I am planning on having a betta in a 5 gallon hex soon. I was wondering what would be a good clean up crew in there. I am catious about snails because I know they can reproduce very fast and would soon take over my tank. Cory catfish probably wouldn't work because there isn't enough floorspace and not enough room in general. Does anyone have ideas on what could go in there? Suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Iggy]

Ghost shrimp, about 3 or 4. There cheap, interesting to look at (if you can spot them) and good at keeping the bottom of tanks clean.

 

[ty6464]

Thanks. Do you have to feed ghost shrimp or do they live off excess food?

 

[ashleigh]

they live off of excess food but they appreciate a bit of zucchini every now and then if your would like to feed them something extra.

 

[ty6464]

Also I heard it is healthful to give them and iodide (iodine?). Would this hurt a betta and where would I get it?

 

[ecotank]

Usually iodine is given as a sickness treatment in the form of salt, it's not really recommended unless your treating your fish for a specific illness (unless you have brackish fish).

If you plan to plant this tank another option is the Amano shrimp, similar to the ghost shrimp but much hardier and often more entertaining too.

Dwarf Frogs are also a favorite tankmate for bettas, they seem to ignore each other for the most part.

 

[ty6464]

Do dwarf frogs clean the bottom though? Also I doubt I will plant the tank just because I think it will be too much, although I not it isn't.

 

[Iggy]

I find dwarf frogs pretty boring, they don't move much are are pretty much blind.

Ghost shrimp would eat fallen pellets or flakes, they will nibble on a shrimp pellet also.

Iodine? I don't think its necessary, but I can't really say either way with any authority.

 

[ashleigh]

I have read that Iodine helps them molt more easily- although I do not know in what dosage or how it woudl ffect a betta long term.

 

[twoluvcats]

Every shrimp I'e ever had in my betta tanks has been fish food pretty qucikly. My bettas have always been able to pick them off when they molt.

 

[DarkElf_Mairead]

I had ghost shrimp for a bit, til one escaped and both died. Supposedly they need brackish water or something. But my betta only pecked at them a bit at first then left them alone. And once I found the shrimp holding onto the betta's back fin and being pulled around, til the betta flipped it across the tank lol. Course, my betta is a bit tame to begin with. Not highly aggressive.