Update on my 10 gal tank. What do you think?

[dm800]

Well, I think I pretty much have my 10 gal tank decorated now (the one I mentioned a couple weeks ago about getting the new tank for my betta). I'd like to hear how you guys think I did on my first tank I've ever had. And please feel free to mention if you think anything else should go in there.



I have been looking at several stores for a rock or some wood and it was all so difficult finding something, but I finally found this one. I saw the betta go in that hole too today! Anyways, I think I am ready to add some more fish in there too. Maybe some tetras or something. What do you guys think would look good in there? And how many of each?

[darkfalz]

Tankmates for a betta just complicates things. Feeding two different speed fish different foods etc. and that the betta will most likely want to hunt the other fish. I think he'll be happier by himself.

[cocomania]

WoW, great job I especially like that rockformation in the middle, for anything else i would reccomend a small piece of wood if you can to give the tank a natural look.For fish i would say some small tetras for it too maybe like 7 neon tetras they are really fun to watch and most likely wont fight with the betta.(and good luck with the tank)

[s13]

Looks good, clean and natural looking. No neon orange/pink rocks =P

[dm800]

Wow that was fast! Yeah I like the natural look. Good idea about the wood. I was thinking if I find a small piece of wood I might stick it in there somewhere. Is it just driftwood like that you would find at the ocean? If so, I live right by the water, maybe I will look for a small piece there because the stores just had larger.

I was wondering about how to feed different types of fish. If it helps any, my betta always comes to the top and follows my hand when I am feeding him and eats it right when I drop it in. I have even had it stick to my finger and he will jump out and grab it off my finger! I would like to have something like neon tetras in there. I think they would look cool against that black background I have too. But now I am a little worried if they will all get along.

[Blue Cray]

Looks good!

[JustOneMore20]

It looks really nice! That is one lucky Betta.

Neons can be nippy sometimes towards Bettas (have seen it for myself), so I wouldn't suggest them, especially in a smaller tank. I have successfully kept Harlequin rasboras with Bettas though. The Harlies are fast (so the Betta can't catch them) but they aren't nippy and don't bother the Betta.

To feed different speed fish, you'll have to feed the fast ones first, then feed the Betta while they are eating. Its not too terribly hard, but can be challenging with some fish.

[fishbone]

A honey gourami and 5 or 6 neon tetras and some ghost shrimpies as clean-up crew. That's what I have in my 10g and it works great.

[Obsidian]

If you are going to pick up wood from a water source I would say to make sure it is a freshwater source for a freshwater tank. Boil the heck out of it to kill off anything that might be in there. Hardwood will do better than softwood.

Thats all I know about wood LOL.

[dm800]

Yeah I was looking at the harlies too. So how many do you think would be a good amount in there? Would it be ok to get two different kinds of fish, or should I stick with all the same? I might put a couple shrimp in there too, I think they look pretty cool going around the bottom.

As far as feeding, does the food float for the other fish? I am sure they are faster than the betta, but he is pretty quick. Like I said, some times he jumps up at my finger if the food sticks to it! I am excited to get more fish but I am a little nervous after reading some posts.


Fishbone: Do you have a betta in that tank too?


As far as the wood comment, I am by a saltwater beach so I guess that won't work. I am glad you mentioned it!

[JustOneMore20]

I would go with 6 Harlequins. I would stick with 1 type of fish with the Betta. Some shrimp would be good to try, but don't be surprised if they go missing. Some bettas will eat shrimp.

You can buy food that floats. Some pellets will float. If the Betta is fast, thats good. Harlies are too, so they'll both be fine.

[dm800]

Ok sounds good, maybe I will go with those. Is it ok to get all 6 at once, or is that too much of a bioload?

[fishbone]

Originally Posted by dm800

Fishbone: Do you have a betta in that tank too?

Heck no. A male betta and male gourami = disaster.
They are related species and would tear each other apart in short order. Ditto two male gouramis in anything smaller than a 50 gallon or so, where they can each make up their own territories complete with plenty of hiding places.

I went with the gourami instead of a betta for several reasons:
-less aggressive
-less chances of it eating my shrimp
-the nippy neons would not go after it's long flowing fins [gouramis don't have any]
-same behavior almost so I'm not missing out. they are smart, curious fish.

You could try a female betta if you wanted

[JustOneMore20]

dm800 already has his male Betta, though he's hard to see in the pic (look at the top of the tank).

You could add all the rasboras at once IMO, or you could get 3 at a time. Its up to you.

[fishbone]

^ Oy, I totally missed that.
No gourami or female betta for you then.

[dm800]

Sounds good guys. Thanks for all your help. I think I will go with the rasorbas and a couple shrimp too maybe. Yeah that pic is hard to see him, I took it mainly to show the tank. If I can ever catch him while he is in that hole in the rock I will try to get a picture of that!

[dm800]

Hey one more thing...

Which way is it better to introduce the new fish? Should I just put them in the tank with the betta already in there, or should I take the betta out for a few hours or so and then put him back after I already put the new fish in there?

[sdfssddff]

I'd just put the new fish in there. the tank is the betta's territory, i don't think i would want to come back to my house and see strangers there! LOL

[dm800]

Well, the reason I asked that is just because of the betta being territorial. I have read in some forums where people have said to take the betta out and put the other fish in first, then that way when you put the betta back he won't be as territorial because the other fish are already there. Any thoughts on that?

[livebearer_love]

that sounds like a good idea but isn't nessesary if you just put a school of tetras or rasboras in there. They shouldn't bother the betta as they are very peaceful fish, they do get excited occasionaly and dart about the tank (mine do anyway) but never agressive just interesting.