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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To put these fish in this aquarium

47 replies

Sally150 · 23/07/2019 19:53

So I have bought one of those lovely biorb 30 litre aquariums with the intention of having a couple of fancy goldfish in it with maybe moving them to a bigger one when they grow larger.
However after reading up I'm dismayed to find that the advice is that 30 litre is too small for goldfish and many other type of fish.
Advice recommends a betta fish on it's own with maybe a snail or 2.
Any ideas of I can possible put 2 other small fish in if I did get a betta as I dont really want just 1 fish.
I know i should have done more research please go easy on me.
Anybody got any ideas on what I can put in there.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sally150 · 23/07/2019 19:54

Posting here for traffic

OP posts:
Original poster
Sally150 · 23/07/2019 19:55

I know that you have to be careful what you place with a betta so if anybody has any ideas on that as well

OP posts:
SteadyAreYouReady · 23/07/2019 19:55

Betta should live completely on their own with no other fish! Sorry!

Tableclothing · 23/07/2019 19:56

www.thinkfish.co.uk/

^ you need this website OP. The Community Creator tool is really good.

Original poster
Sally150 · 23/07/2019 19:56

It does say online that there are certain fish it may accept

OP posts:
Icecreamsoda99 · 23/07/2019 19:57

Betas are stunning and have great personalities (for fish) I loved mine, he lived about 5 years. Would highly recommend one.

Original poster
Sally150 · 23/07/2019 19:59

Did u keep him on his own soda

OP posts:
SteadyAreYouReady · 23/07/2019 20:00

You could consider some small endler guppies, but please consider that you need to set up the tank for a few weeks before adding fish. Read up on cycling tanks
fishlab.com/how-to-cycle-aquarium/

It’s not as easy as waiting a few days, regardless what any fish shop says!

Original poster
Sally150 · 23/07/2019 20:00

Yes its currently cycling

OP posts:
SteadyAreYouReady · 23/07/2019 20:01

Sally
You’ll find whatever you want to hear on google, but it is true , a Male betta should be kept alone. Having them alone is still fine, really decorate your tank with live easy plants, coconut caves, and you can use a mirror periodically

IfIShouldFallFromGraceWithGod · 23/07/2019 20:03

I recommend shrimp. They are amazing fun and run around the tank
They come more to life a couple of times a day when it's like play time for them and they go into the current from the filter in turn
They don't need as much space as fish and they clean up after themselves
My tank is big so I have other fish in there but its the shrimp I like to watch. DS reckons he's going to fry them up once they grow big enoughWink

Original poster
Sally150 · 23/07/2019 20:03

Trouble is lots of fish like to school and I think I bought wrong size shape tank

OP posts:
Original poster
Sally150 · 23/07/2019 20:04

I did think about shrimp

OP posts:
SteadyAreYouReady · 23/07/2019 20:05

You’re right, biorbs aren’t sensible fishkeeping tanks to be fair, but you can make the most of it!

Icecreamsoda99 · 23/07/2019 20:05

Yep we did but he was gorgeous and so lovely to watch him, I think having one made him more of a pet as well, you can put a ping pong ball in with them and they push them around, and train them to jump for treats, just watch your fingers as they will give a little nip if they get the chance (doesn't really hurt but startles you). When they are really happy they make little bubble nests on the surface of the water. Just make sure you get one from a good pet shop or breeder where they haven't been confined to some tiny box!

IfIShouldFallFromGraceWithGod · 23/07/2019 20:05

The biorbs look lovely but I don't think they are fish friendly. Fish prefer ground space and corners

PurplePangolin · 23/07/2019 20:05

Bettas have a good personality for a fish but a few guppies would look nice, they have some lovely colours too.

Original poster
Sally150 · 23/07/2019 20:05

Online suggests dwarf frogs snails or shrimps with a betta

OP posts:
CatToddlerUprising · 23/07/2019 20:05

Some fish like male guppies, neon tetras etc prefer to live in groups. We have a 30L tank (not biorb) and have 8 shrimp (clean up crew as plecos will grow too big), 5 tetras and 6 male guppies. That’s the right amount for the tank we have and they have plenty of space, no fighting etc

Icecreamsoda99 · 23/07/2019 20:06

Oh and Betas need a heater as well I believe, been a few years!

QuackingDuck1985 · 23/07/2019 20:10

Guppies would work in your tank. They come in a range of beautiful colours. A group of 6 would be about right for your tank. Possibly 8.

If you have a maidenhead aquatics near you I'd suggest going to have a look and talk to the staff they are very knowledgeable and will be able to talk you through your options.

Word of warning don't go to pets at home as they have no clue about tank sizes.

Sandybval · 23/07/2019 20:13

Bettas are tropical fish, you will need at least a miniature heater for the tank. They also like ornaments to hide in and something near the surface to 'rest' on, so please consider the shape of the tank and what you would be able to fit in as well as the fish itself. They also can live happily with some other fish, just not other male Bettas! Neon tetras are good tank mates, but you would need several of these as they school together; so would need to check the tank size.

MoobaaMoobaa · 23/07/2019 20:33

I had to Google Betta fish, but then was surprised to find it's a Siamese fighting fish.

my parents had big tropical fish tank, and our Siamese fighting fish lived for many years in with our other fish, the advise was you could only have 1 Siamese in tank but other fish were fine.

We had Gubbies, Neons, 1 Angelfish, 1 catfish, 1 small flyingfish, 1 pleco (quite large sucker fish that helped keep the tank clean) 1 black Molly, 1 some kind of shark, platies and harlaquins. Probably some others too that I've forgotten.

We use to go to topical fish specialist it was just a shop(not part of a pet shop or garden centre) just a shop devoted to tropical fish. If you had to keep Siamese fighting fish completely on there own they would have known and wouldn't have sold us one. (yes they knew us they knew all there customers their advice was second to non)

Davethesweep · 23/07/2019 20:38

Betta fish can be a nightmare, especially finding a tank mate for them!
I have only ever succeed with females and that is hit and miss on each fish even if they have tank mates in the shop.
My best tip to you is guppy fish come in some beautiful colours and should be fine in a 30litre. They will also breed and self populate. Good luck

Cherrysoup · 23/07/2019 20:40

Bettas are usually boxed off in small areas of larger tanks. You might be lucky and get one that doesn't go for other fish, but I wouldn't risk it. Can you upgrade your tank?