Leroy the HM plakat ( betta )

[Vanda lover]

I think the fish much prefer a well planted tank. I love the little Neons too, I've read that they are the most popular. But this time I went with a 50 gal with Angels and Clown loaches as main focus, and a few black Neons. There is also a poor little Neon that is the only survivor from back when I set up the tank, a year and a half ago.

[Tindomul]

Sweet fish and tank!!! I love them. I admire planted tanks and aquascaping, but have never tried it.

Because of your post, I now know where the major fault of the orchid family is. As far as I know, there are no true aquatic orchids. There are epiphytes and lithophytes and marginals and terrestrials, even some desert orchids, and alpine orchids, but no true aquatic ones. I hope someone can correct me. Wouldn't it be awesome to have an aquatic orchid!

[Call_Me_Bob]

Glad you like it tind! I wish there were aquatic orchids!!!

Sadly, the neons aren't getting along with the betta as I thought when the lights are on, everything is fine. But yesterday there were only four but I found one body so I thought it was just because they were new additions.

Well when I came in tonight, I saw Leroy there is a poor little neon HALF IN HIS MOUTH!! I scared him and he let it go. I quickly netted the remaining four neons and but them in the betta cup that Leroy came in. I floated yeh cup in the tank. :'( one of the neons just died. I'm down to 3 RIP!

I found a ghost shrimp! He was out when I came in

I dint know what to do now. I'm attached to the betta and the neons! I really like Leroy but think a ten gallon seems so empty with one betta and 3 Otos. :/

What do you think I should do? I really don't have room for another tank. I don't have money for one either. M


You can call me Bob

[Vanda lover]

I had the same problem once, which is why I ended up keeping my betta in a large 2 gallon bowl. Sometimes you can find one in a second hand store, or walmart. Remember, they don't need a pump and a light during the day is enough heat. In the summer they don't even need that.

[Tindomul]

What if you put a screen in the middle so that Leroy can have his own space and the poor little tetras can have safety? Tetras are very fragile in my opinion. So take extra care of them. I don't think they will survive long in a cup or small holding vessel.

[Oscarman]

Love bettas, the color, the agression!

[Call_Me_Bob]

i dont think bowls are vbery humane, people do it all the time, but when you compare a betta that has proper filtration, plants, and swimming room VS a betta in a bowl, even if its 2gal, the happier one will no doubt be the betta with swimming room.

they can live without a filter and aeration, but it is much better for them to have proper filtration/aeration.

the tetras are in the betta's old cup. and its floating in the tank, so the temperature stays regulated.

ill figure something out later.

[Vanda lover]

I hate it when I see bettas in pet shops, in those tiny cups and bowls. That is why I have ended up buying 1 every now and then, and they seem content in their larger 2 gal. In the wild they often live in small puddles, and have a special organ for breathing air. I agree that they are much happier in a tank. It's too bad that they don't play well with others. I have bought some beautiful female bettas that got along very well in a tank. They are much less agressive. Also, bettas love live food, so your shrimp may be hiding for a good reason!

[Call_Me_Bob]

they live in rice paddies, and shallow marshes. but those paddies and marshes are very long and wide. you are right, they are labrynth fishes, so they can get some O2 from the air.

it depends on the betta, some are friendly to small fish that done look like a betta. ie. no guppy-type fishes.

but leroy is just a bad boy, i also think it has to do with him being a giant plakat. his fins are shorter so he is way faster. i know of some friends that have bettas that are somewhat aggressive towards their tankmates, but their large find prohibit them from swimming fast enough to catch the other fish.

i would think about putting him in a bowl, but i would have to do large ( not so bad on a small tank though) 2x a week, if there was no filter. and leroy is a giant plakat, so he will get larger.

[Tindomul]

I kept one for 4 years in a 20 gallon breeder tank in only 5 inches of water. I grew emersed Cryptocoynes which he swam around happily. As far as live food, I found that they relish fruit flies.
And they like it very warm.

Also they tend to be the most aggressive towards anything that is red or blue, or worse, both blue and red. That means your neon's never had a chance to make peace. I don't even put the betta food (with picture of a betta on it) next to the glass of their tank, because they will be posturing and being aggressive to an image all day and it would eventually kill them through stress.