Tank size, and tank mate question

[zxcv1234]

Im getting a 2.5 gallon tank for my betta. I dont know if a light will be enough to keep my betta warm anymore with this size. Possible tankmates that I read about are african dwarf frogs, snails, and shrimp.


Any advice is welcomed.

[abm]

Hi,

I know nothing about tankmates (sorry ) but I can heartily recommend upsizing your guy's tank to 2 gallons I would also not count on a lamp being able to sufficiently warm the tank, but you can get 25 watt heaters for under $15 that work reliably and with no fuss at all.

[mandymarie]

I have a 2.5 gallon with a 7.5 watt heater and it works very well. As far as the snails I put them in my betta tanks and some of them got eaten!! ;D

[twoluvcats]

I've tried all three as betta tankmates, here's what I found out:

I have snails with all my bettas (including a 2.5 g tank)...that situation seems to work well. None of my snails have been killed and eaten by any of my fish...tho they have been eaten post-mortem. The biggest thing is feeding these guys...living with a betta does not give them enough leftover food to clean up, and weekly water changes usually get all the algae...they need to be fed as well. I feed Maria's snail biscuits from petbakery.com

Dwarf frogs are cute, but you could really only fit 1 in a 2.5 with a betta, and you'd never see it...plus if you have a fiesty betta, he will kill it...frogs don't have the defenses snails do. They are also a bit temperatures sensitive...they don't do well abouve 80 degrees. On top of that, they are messy to feed...so it can do a number on your water quality if you are not careful...these guys can't see well, and mostly navigate by smell. So you almost have to hand feed them...I use the Bloodworms in gel that Rachel recommends for bettas, and squeeze the goo out right in front of them...consequently my tank gets messy at feeding time LOL

I tried shrimp, but the betta ate them every time they molted LOL

IMHO, snails or shrimp are your best bet. The shrimp seem to end up as more of a live snack than anything. HEHE But they are still cool to watch. Snails are neat as well. Look for Pomecea Bridgesii...they do not reproduce asexually, don't eat live plants, and they clutch above the waterline...so you won't get overrun with baby snails. HTH

[amanichen]

I've kept bettas and ghost shrimp in a confined environment before (divided 10), and well, it didn't work too well. The predatory instinct is too large.

And make sure the snails are at least as large as the betta's head. Many of my former bettas have learned to suck baby snails right form their shells...that is after they bang them against the glass