Tankmates for Betta?

[Elliriyanna]

I have just one Betta boy in a 5 gallon hex I plan to plant soon.

I was just wondering if anything could live with him ... Its not a big deal if they can't I Just thought it might be interesting my bright blue/green boy with a little " friend"

[@marko@]

large amano shrimps. RCS sometimes; i wouldnt risk it. i had one betta die, choked on a RCS he tried to swallow whole. snails.
there are fish that can do fine with bettas, but they are schooling fish, and your tank isnt big enough for a school of them and a betta.

[ValMM]

I agree with snails, especially if it turns out your boy is fish aggressive.
My boy was aggressive and I could keep only snails with him.
Just make sure he's not eating the eyestalks.

[Elliriyanna]

I wouldn't want to try a school with him I really want him to be the centerpiece Would an Apple Snail be ok? They come in some pretty colors and I believe I have ample filtration.

[ValMM]

They get large, so make sure your plants can handle their weight. And they eat a lot. Algae wafers and veggies galore!

[l8nite]

My betta coexists with a pair of shrimp and a pair of nerites without issue. He flares up at the snails every once in awhile but no damage to date.

[Elliriyanna]

What would I need to Feed the snail? Any brands you guys like? I only feed Finn Omega one ... Would Hikari Algae wafers be ok?

[l8nite]

Honestly I only drop like 20% of a hikari wafer in there once a week or so, an I'm pretty sure the shrimp eat most of that.

[sejoy]

Algae wafers are fine, That's what I feed my snails. In a small tank I would break them up instead of using whole ones, they don't eat a lot and it gets messy if it's left out for too long. Also I believe blanched veggies like zucchini and cucumber are good too.

[Elliriyanna]

LOL My rats will love me having even more veggies in the house. Oh I rarely if ever feed more than 1/4 of a wafer

[@marko@]

my betta sorority has a nerite. never fed him, and i had him for over a year.
it also has a colony of RCS, but its got tons of moss, so thats the only way some shrimplets make it. the girls ignore the adults completely though. but like i mentioned in my earlier post, that is not always the case, and can end badly.

[wendyjo]

If you break up an algea wafer the betta will eat it.

[okapizebra]

I have a bunch of ghost shrimp and a pair of nerites in my betta's 5 gallon. Although the shrimp have slowly been disappearing...

[uberape]

i wouldnt bother in a five gallon it will only end in heartbreak, but every betta is different they say. if you do try it keep the betta in another container for a few days then add him to the tank with his new friend already there. i would only try snails or shrimp. i had a betta that forced 4 cherry shrimp to jump out of the tank in suicide. I think the best tankmates are those that have 'play dead' defences like banjo catfish and khuli loaches but youll need 15g for them and plenty hiding spots.

[okapizebra]

Bettas will work with a school of tetras, but you'll need at least a 10 gallon for that, though.