Who Gives A Fish Forums

soundwave wrote: ↑Sat Dec 07, 2024 7:41 pm I'm considering turning my 30+ gallon tank into a community setup with a single betta, a few cherry shrimps, and maybe some neon tetras or similar. I've done some research and I know bettas can be territorial, but I've been getting mixed advice. People keep telling me not to keep a betta in the tank, and the shopkeepers are pushing me to get angel fish instead. I've also thought about just keeping goldfish, like ranchus and orandas. This is my third time keeping fish, and I want to make sure I get it right this time. My first two attempts didn't go so well because I relied on the shopkeepers' advice without doing my own research. Now I'm stuck deciding between a betta, angel fish, or goldfish. I'm thinking shrimps and tetras would be a good combo, but I'm not sure which main fish to choose.

sSjey wrote: ↑Sat Dec 07, 2024 8:52 pm I would advise against keeping a betta with neon tetras. In my experience, bettas are not ideal community fish and do better on their own. While some bettas might coexist with shrimps, it's not a guarantee and some may see them as food.

As for angelfish, they require a larger tank than 30 gallons, so that's not a viable option for you. Goldfish, on the other hand, need a lot of space - 26 gallons for the first one and an additional 13 litres for each extra fish.

Considering your tank size, it seems a shame to have just one fish and maybe some shrimps. Are there other fish species you'd be interested in keeping that would thrive in a community setup? For instance, what's your water hardness like? Knowing that would help narrow down some options.

boomer wrote: ↑Sat Dec 07, 2024 10:39 pm It's disheartening to see the same misinformation being spread by online sources and pet store employees. Unfortunately, you're getting caught up in it.

Male bettas are not suited for community tanks, and adding other fish to their environment is a recipe for disaster. While it may work occasionally, the outcome is usually disastrous, either immediately or down the line. A 30-gallon tank is perfect for small schooling fish, but not with a betta in the mix.

As for angelfish, they're not a good fit for this setup either. These fish thrive in groups, and depriving them of that can lead to problems. Plus, they require a lot more space, considering they can grow up to six inches in body length, with an eight-inch vertical fin span. Males, in particular, can be quite territorial, which can cause a host of issues.

We're all echoing the same sentiments here, but I'd love to know more about your current setup. What fish do you already have, and what's the tank size? If you already have fish in the tank, we might need to work around that.

boomer wrote: ↑Sat Dec 07, 2024 10:39 pm It's disheartening to see the same misinformation being spread by online sources and pet store employees. Unfortunately, you're getting caught up in it.

Male bettas are not suited for community tanks, and adding other fish to their environment is a recipe for disaster. While it may work occasionally, the outcome is usually disastrous, either immediately or down the line. A 30-gallon tank is perfect for small schooling fish, but not with a betta in the mix.

As for angelfish, they're not a good fit for this setup either. These fish thrive in groups, and depriving them of that can lead to problems. Plus, they require a lot more space, considering they can grow up to six inches in body length, with an eight-inch vertical fin span. Males, in particular, can be quite territorial, which can cause a host of issues.

We're all echoing the same sentiments here, but I'd love to know more about your current setup. What fish do you already have, and what's the tank size? If you already have fish in the tank, we might need to work around that.