Need fish expert! Should I add a platy to my aquarium?
This question has 3 little questions. Let me give you the setting.
My tank- approximately 9 gallon tank. If i fill it to the top it would reach 10, but that would be too high for the filter. Inside the tank there is a:
-good filter
-medium sized coral tunnel thing
- tall fake plant
- one betta
-there is No Heater
My betta- from what I’ve heard,Betta’s typically do not get along well with most fish. I think my betta is a very laid back type of fish. When I hold a mirror in front of it it glances cautiously maybe just keeps swimming, but doesn’t start flaring until the mirror is either touching the glass or one inch away. Then he flares for maximum 5 seconds and swims away quickly.
I hear that a type of fish compatible with bettas are platys. I would like to add 1 or 2 platys to my tank (same gender so they don’t reproduce) and have a few questions.
1. Should i get One or two platys?
2. Would they get along with the betta?
3. Is the tank suitable for this setup?
4. If it does end up working out, how would i feed them? Bettas are supposed to be fed every other day and platys are twice a day!
Thank you for your help! I hope whoever decides to answer this is a fish expert!
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No, do not put platys in with betta’s as platys can resemble a female betta and a male betta will go after the platy. If your betta seems laid back I suggest that you try putting cardinal tetras in with your betta as I have them in with mine and they do just fine. Don’t put brightly colored fish in with betta’s either. When and if you do get some tank mates for your betta make sure you rearrange the whole tank so your betta doesn’t get territorial. Also make sure you have another tank ready for the betta or tank mates in-case the betta does decide to fight. Also as a warning don’t put neon tetras in with betta’s as they tend to nip at their fins. Best of luck!
OK here’s what you can do. Find a cheap heater platty’s don’t like cold water jump on the internet or you’re local pet store may have one. If you don’t want babies buy 2 males they’ll be fine. Females will already be pregnant because they go at it like rabbits. They should get along fine with the betta I’ve mixed bettas with neons and have had no trouble. Most of the time they are pretty laid back and mind their own business, but some can be a-holes so keep an eye out make sure when you buy them from the store if your betta is too aggressive you can bring the platty’s back with no problems (always have a back up plan). Other than not having a heater your tank is fine. Feed your fish once or twice a day the betta will be fine eating every day make sure you get a good base flake tetramin flakes are a good choice. Also for your water temp if its over 70 you’re good a heater would be a good idea because it will make sure your tank temp doesn’t fluctuate to much which could cause ich.
First, both platys and bettas are tropical fish and need heaters. The coldness can make a betta lethargic, which is probably why he isn’t flaring. These fish would do best with a temperature of 76-78F.
1. 2-3 males; chances are the females are already pregnant
2. Yes, my betta and platys get along great.
3. If you add a heater then yes.
4. Buy a feeding ring to feed the two. I feed my bettas every day so that wouldn’t hurt.
your tank is good for a few platties and a betta, but bettas and platties are both tropical fish. buy a heater and over several days, slowly VERY SLOWLY raise the temp to 78 degrees.
i dont know what kind of filter you have, it should either be fully submersable, or hang off the back so you can fill the tank up. if no it sounds ver cheap, maybe you should investigate that further, and before you add fish to a tank that might not be filtered properly.
after you figure all that stuff out, you can add 2-3 platies, no more than 2 a week, i would choose less bright colors to be safe, but if you work it out first with your pet store manager, they may let you return or exchange them.
feed them once a day, what they will eat in 3 minutes, skip one day a week. if the betta is not getting his fair share you might need to sink the betta food, buy soaking it in water for 1-2 minutes, then pour it in or feed him with a eye dropper if you really are concerened hes not getting his fair share. you will need to supplument them with freeze dried blood worms 2-3 times a week, be carefull not to over feed.
you need a heater. platys need 20 gallons. go with 6 glow light or neon tetras. don’t get any less than 6 because they need groups of their own species. all tropical fish need heaters
1. 2 platies or mollies are fine
2. yes, mine does
3. yes, have the temperature in the low 80′s
4. It’s fine to feed bettas once a day, once a day for platies or mollies are also fine