Suitable non-fish companions for Betta?

[Mac Cool]

We moved our Betta to a 4 gallon filtered tank because we would like to
add some critters. Might add a fish or two later but right now I would
like to add something unfishlike but I'm not sure what would be suitable
for that small of a tank. Snails? Frogs? Suggestions?

Also... the new tank is quite the bubbler, I think it actually creates a
current, to the point of being distracting and the betta tends to sit on
the bottom while the filter/bubbler is running. When I turn the filter off
he gets quite active and races around his new tank. Is there some way to
tone down the filter pump?

--
Mac Cool

[carlrs]

Mac Cool wrote:
> We moved our Betta to a 4 gallon filtered tank because we would like to
> add some critters. Might add a fish or two later but right now I would
> like to add something unfishlike but I'm not sure what would be suitable
> for that small of a tank. Snails? Frogs? Suggestions?
>
> Also... the new tank is quite the bubbler, I think it actually creates a
> current, to the point of being distracting and the betta tends to sit on
> the bottom while the filter/bubbler is running. When I turn the filter off
> he gets quite active and races around his new tank. Is there some way to
> tone down the filter pump?
>
> --
> Mac Cool

As to your too powerful current, I would buy a valve for your air pump
and bleed off air.

As to other fish for your small 4 gallon tank, you did not mention if
you had a heater or not.
Assuming you do, these are a few fish that I have kept with betta in a
small tank.:
*Platties
*Mollies
*Neon Tetras
*Glo Lite Tetras
*Rasboras
*White Clouds

This is not an exact list, the compatibility will vary and please note
that your small tank is very limiting.

Here is a group that specializes in bettas (several professional
breeders lurk here):
http://www.forumsvibe.com/betta/

Carl

[Mac Cool]

carlrs:

> you did not mention if you had a heater or not.

No, I have the tank in the warmest room in the house, averages 78-85
degrees.

--
Mac Cool

[Mac Cool]

carlrs:

> As to other fish

And actually I was looking for something not a fish, per the subject line.
Thanks.

--
Mac Cool

[Tynk]

Mac Cool wrote:
> carlrs:
>
> > As to other fish
>
> And actually I was looking for something not a fish, per the subject line.
> Thanks.
>
> --
> Mac Cool

Hello Mac.

As long as the tank is filtered, you can try African Dwarf Frogs, or
Ghost Shrimp, Snails, or even a female Fiddler Crab.
I say *try* because with all Bettas, each is different. Some will not
allow other tank mates in their home, where as many could care less.
Some will flare up a storm and then go Ah, forget about it and ignore
them.
Some will try to eat Ghost shrimp and snails.
I say female Fiddler crab because I have seen with my own eyes, a male
catch a female Betta with it's large claw. I would never have believed
it could happen to a healthy, living fish before, but I saw it for
myself. Also, Fiddler crabs need a spot to get out of the water. They
make little Lily pads or even cork logs or flat pieces for them to
climb on. Just make sure the lid is secure, as you don't want a crab
(or ADF if you try those) getting out.
The entire list, with the exception of African Dwarf Frogs will
anything the Betta leaves. The Frogs need to be frozen Bloodworms and
Brine Shrimp is fine too...but mainly the Bloodworms.
They aren't going to survive on flake food, as many stores list them as
eating.
Do be aware that red Crowntail Bettas have a tendancy of getting nipped
by an ADF. They don't see so well and the frogs mistake the CT' Betta's
spikes as bloodworms and will snap at them. This doesn't happen with a
CT of a different color.
You will, however, see the occasional snapping at anything that moves
at feeding time, again because their eye sight is not so good. It's
also best to feed these little dudes either by hand, or with a dropper
to make sure they get enough to eat.
Their main cause of death is starvation.
Simply adding bloodworms to a tank with a Betta in it won't do for
ADF's. The Betta will eat too much (look like he swallowed a marble)
and the frogs won't get enough.

[IDzine01]

Tynk wrote:
> Do be aware that red Crowntail Bettas have a tendancy of getting nipped
> by an ADF. They don't see so well and the frogs mistake the CT' Betta's
> spikes as bloodworms and will snap at them. This doesn't happen with a
> CT of a different color.

My ADFs will stick anything in their mouths that move... including a
vast color assortment of bettas. Though, I agree I did have more
problems with my crowntails then say, my cories or female betta. No one
was ever hurt though, thank goodness.

Ghost shrimp or black mystery snails work well too.

[Tynk]

Tynk wrote:
<<> The entire list, with the exception of African Dwarf Frogs will
> anything the Betta leaves. The Frogs need to be frozen Bloodworms and
> Brine Shrimp is fine too...>>>


That would be "eat anything the Betta leaves" and the frogs need to be
"fed" frozen Bloodworms.
Sheesh....I had happy fingers for sure.

As IDzine mentioned, many frogs will snap at anything that moves
(usually feeding time in my experience), however, many don't bother
Bettas at all.
I've seen more Bettas eat Ghost Shrimp though, so I would use caution
with them. They're so cheap anyway, that it's not like it'll break you
if he does decide to eat it/them.
I do know folks who have had their Bettas constantly peck at the Apple
and Mystery snails...especially the tentacles and airtubes.
I have never had a Betta bother either type snail. However, I have had
many that gobbled up small Malaysian Trumpet snails.
There's basically only one concrete rule when it comes to
Bettas....they're all different. = )