Fish Lovers 3.0 [new poll]

[Naeco]

So, this is very interesting. I have an Albino Tiger Barb and this fish has been doing just fine for about a year and a half. Happy, very active, playing with the Serpaes, etc. On Friday, he started swimming as if an anchor got stuck in his mouth. He was swimming around but his head was straight down. I did not bother him as he was still eating, swimming, etc and the other fish were not bothered by him and there was no other physical indicators of him being sick. The odd thing is, I got home from school today, and he is just fine. He sometimes tilts his head down a bit like he is going to swim that way again, but rights himself out quickly. I find this very odd but I am happy he seems to be doing ok.

[косатка]

I have a couple of questions. Currently I just switched my Betta over to a 3.5 gallon tank, as he was getting a little uncomfortable with his 2 gallon one. I also added one of those Marimo moss balls today, which I hope will help engage him a little more I'm considering getting him a tankmate, but I don't want another fish. What types/how many shrimp/snails can live comfortably with a betta in a 3.5 g tank? The last thing I want to do is cause any overcrowding. Also, do you think that I should invest in another moss ball? Or do the benefits from it work as it is.

Thanks for any help! This is my first betta, and I've had him for about 3 months now, and in that time he's been an absolute gem. Never had good luck with fish before him.

Two or three nerite snails is a good option. Most shrimp will be fine, ghost shrimp are very common, but they'll breed and you may end up with too many, whereas nerite snails cannot breed in freshwater. Both nerite snails and ghost shrimp stay small and since they do not produce much bioload they will not really alter your parameters, unless one dies and you don't realize it. If you do get shrimp, they will pick away at any dead algae and biofilm on your moss ball. I have never owned shrimp, so I cannot give you my thoughts based on experience with them, but I have had nerite snails and loved them. I got them because there was far too much algae growing on the sides of my aquariums, and they cleared up most of it within a few days. I was worried that my bettas would harm the snails, but none of my six bettas I had at the time took much notice to them. I have heard stories of bettas harming or killing shrimp, though.

Plant life is always a good option, especially for such a small tank. Plants act like a filter, so the more plants the better. Though, a filter will always out beat the plants. It certainly wouldn't hurt to get another one.

[Dracane]

I have a couple of questions. Currently I just switched my Betta over to a 3.5 gallon tank, as he was getting a little uncomfortable with his 2 gallon one. I also added one of those Marimo moss balls today, which I hope will help engage him a little more I'm considering getting him a tankmate, but I don't want another fish. What types/how many shrimp/snails can live comfortably with a betta in a 3.5 g tank? The last thing I want to do is cause any overcrowding. Also, do you think that I should invest in another moss ball? Or do the benefits from it work as it is.

Thanks for any help! This is my first betta, and I've had him for about 3 months now, and in that time he's been an absolute gem. Never had good luck with fish before him.

Never keep a betta with another fish, your decision of keeping him with snails or shrimps is a good one! You won't get much overcrowding with snails unless you feed too much, I don't know the english names of the snails but most of the betta owner I know keep them with ramshorn snails. If you want to keep shrimps with him I can recommend Neocaridina shrimps, those will stay little but you have to get ten of them. They are available in many different colors!

I know many bettas who eat or attack snails and shrimps but not every betta does this.

[Venatici]

I have a couple of questions. Currently I just switched my Betta over to a 3.5 gallon tank, as he was getting a little uncomfortable with his 2 gallon one. I also added one of those Marimo moss balls today, which I hope will help engage him a little more I'm considering getting him a tankmate, but I don't want another fish. What types/how many shrimp/snails can live comfortably with a betta in a 3.5 g tank? The last thing I want to do is cause any overcrowding. Also, do you think that I should invest in another moss ball? Or do the benefits from it work as it is.

Thanks for any help! This is my first betta, and I've had him for about 3 months now, and in that time he's been an absolute gem. Never had good luck with fish before him.

Two or three nerite snails is a good option. Most shrimp will be fine, ghost shrimp are very common, but they'll breed and you may end up with too many, whereas nerite snails cannot breed in freshwater. Both nerite snails and ghost shrimp stay small and since they do not produce much bioload they will not really alter your parameters, unless one dies and you don't realize it. If you do get shrimp, they will pick away at any dead algae and biofilm on your moss ball. I have never owned shrimp, so I cannot give you my thoughts based on experience with them, but I have had nerite snails and loved them. I got them because there was far too much algae growing on the sides of my aquariums, and they cleared up most of it within a few days. I was worried that my bettas would harm the snails, but none of my six bettas I had at the time took much notice to them. I have heard stories of bettas harming or killing shrimp, though.

Plant life is always a good option, especially for such a small tank. Plants act like a filter, so the more plants the better. Though, a filter will always out beat the plants. It certainly wouldn't hurt to get another one.

I just wanted to add that in such a small tank, shrimp shouldn't really be added in with a betta x') While dwarf shrimp will be fine alone without a betta in that tank, with a betta won't really work! I believe [correct me if I'm wrong @ anyone] that shrimp with betta need five gallons to not cause any issues. And shrimp can be really sensitive to water changes and in such a small tank they'll be more prone to die! :< By rule of thumb, larger tank = more stable water [and that is why I have a 10gallon for my betta with his shrimp!]
Also, ghost shrimp can reach about two inches, so if you wanted any shrimp they'd have to be dwarf shrimp to begin with x') Like cherry shrimp that gifthaferl suggested! Although, I would definitely not get ten unless you end up getting a bigger tank than the 5 gallon since you'll over crowd x') I would not go under four, but four to six would be a good bet if you get the larger tank! And it is true some bettas may harm shrimp, especially in smaller containers, so while it might not hurt or kill the shrimp, it becomes more likely in your size :0
Snails would be a great option though! Keep in mind some snails produce more of a bioload then the fish itself so you will want to do your research! But I know they make some good tank mates, if you're interested I can speak with people who own snails and get you a good recommendation for what type x)

I would in general suggest live plants because they help keep the water cleaner and fish like to hide in them or rest on them, so I would recommend investing in more live plants if you have the funds! :) Especially if you end up getting a bigger tank and want shrimp, live plants are essential! Java ferns / java moss, water sprite, swords are some good ones!

Overall I would look into researching more, but if you have any questions you can feel free to pm me! I don't check here often enough lol

[Crum]

I have bettas in both my community tanks, one male in my 20 and a female in a 10. Never had any issues. If anything they just think they’re one of the other fish. Never had issues with ghost shrimp or snails. 3.5 gallons id say is fine for 3 or so small shrimp or 1-2 ghost shrimp. Or one snail. As long as you have an ok filter which I assume you do. As for ghost shrimp breeding, I’ve never seen eggs hatch. Even if they did, your Betta would just be getting extra dinner for that day.

[Venatici]

I have bettas in both my community tanks, one male in my 20 and a female in a 10. Never had any issues. If anything they just think they’re one of the other fish. Never had issues with ghost shrimp or snails. 3.5 gallons id say is fine for 3 or so small shrimp or 1-2 ghost shrimp. Or one snail. As long as you have an ok filter which I assume you do. As for ghost shrimp breeding, I’ve never seen eggs hatch. Even if they did, your Betta would just be getting extra dinner for that day.

All shrimp should be in groups, meaning 1-3 shrimp don't really work ;) Just like goldfish need buddies, so do shrimp! Think of how community /schooling fish need groups: so do shrimp! And of course ghost shrimp are too big for the small tank to begin with ^^
I do also want to add again the fact the water parameters need to be stable, which is incredibly hard in a smaller tank ^^ And that bettas are more likely to be aggressive in smaller tanks, and are more likely to eat the shrimp then ;)

[adelphi prime.]

--snip--

All shrimp should be in groups, meaning 1-3 shrimp don't really work Just like goldfish need buddies, so do shrimp! Think of how community /schooling fish need groups: so do shrimp! And of course ghost shrimp are too big for the small tank to begin with ^^
I do also want to add again the fact the water parameters need to be stable, which is incredibly hard in a smaller tank ^^ And that bettas are more likely to be aggressive in smaller tanks, and are more likely to eat the shrimp then

I have to politely disagree. I've kept 2 ghost shrimp in one half of a divided 10 gallon tank the last four months and they're doing fine. Before that I kept a single surviving shrimp for over a half a year (the other two I'd bought at the time died the next day, likely due to the fact I bought them from PetSmart). That being said, I wouldn't keep shrimp in a tank any less than 5 gallons of water, and I wouldn't buy anymore than 3 at a time, even if you don't expect one or two to make it past a couple weeks (as has been my experience.)

[Venatici]

I have to politely disagree. I've kept 2 ghost shrimp in one half of a divided 10 gallon tank the last four months and they're doing fine. Before that I kept a single surviving shrimp for over a half a year (the other two I'd bought at the time died the next day, likely due to the fact I bought them from PetSmart). That being said, I wouldn't keep shrimp in a tank any less than 5 gallons of water, and I wouldn't buy anymore than 3 at a time, even if you don't expect one or two to make it past a couple weeks (as has been my experience.)

As the saying goes, just because you may have one specific experience does not mean everyone else does ^^ So I too will politely disagree ;)
Any experienced shrimp keeper will not sell you less than 5 shrimp, because they are recommended to be in groups :) Petsmart/Petco/Chain stores don't really care about the welfare of animals, so they're happy to only sell you two shrimp because theyre making money anyway :)
Plus, shrimp are supposed to live for a few years, which is a lot longer than just four months ;)
And yes, this is a widespread thing known by any experienced shrimp keepers; here are some examples of shrimp specialists that sell 5 shrimp minimum: (sometimes ten as well as their minimum)
http://www.alphaprobreeders.com/aquatic-live-shrimp/
https://www.theshrimpfarm.com/freshwate ... shrimp.php
http://www.theshrimptank.com/dwarf-shrimp/
https://www.aquariumcreation.com/collections/shrimp
http://www.eliteinverts.com/buy-freshwater-shrimp/
https://flipaquatics.com/collections/all-shrimp

some places may give the option to buy only one shrimp (in case one of the 5 dies, but as you will notice places like this one sell in increments: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, etc)
https://aquaticarts.com/collections/freshwater-shrimp such as this store, where I purchased my shrimp :)
so, as you can see just by doin a very quick google search you will find any reputable shrimp breeder will sell them in quantities of five and no less (with the occasional exception such as aquatic arts, who sell 1 in case one of your 5 pass away). so, given all these links, I will say respectfully just because you own such few shrimp, does not mean it should be recommended for everyone else ;)

edit ;; also adding in jayus's suggestion, which is the same as well!
https://www.coastgemusa.com/store/c296/SHRIMP.html

[jayus]

the best part of my morning is turning on my tank light in my room and seeing all my shrimp flip their lids. they would scream if they could. they move like edward scissorhands just expressed a shrimp craving.
some of my shrimp have tiny red hats. i got them from coast gem usa,, they are wild color shrimps. i love them. i got them by trading glass jars for them. i got 14. i want them to overtake my whole tank. i want a whole colony. i want to become the lord of shrimp. god bless shrimp.

[.ｃｈｅｒｒｙ ｂｌｏｓｓｏｍ.]

Quick questions
Guppies:
I'm slightly mad at my male guppy, he and three girls live in a 10 Gallon with a fry the fry is in a breeder box, don't worry XD), he's supposed to be a guppy mass producer, but so far he hasn't gotten any girls pregnant (two of the three girls were already pregnant when I bought them). Guppies are supposed to be mass breeders, but he just isn't budging. (I'm getting slightly aggravated at him because I'm trying to purposefully breed them). One of the ideas I had was to buy one or two other males and put them in my 8 gallon along with some tetras and a platie (see below for more info on my platie). I would then rotate them ever month or so so they each got a chance wth the ladies. Would this work? And is there any way to make my male more 'active'?

Second questions:
My platy lives alone with some tetras. She is the sole survivor of a outbreak of some kind of sickness back when I had 8 platies (RIP!). If I brought in the guppies to live wth her, would she feel less lonley? Or would I have to buy her a platy companion?

Third question:
My school of three black neon tetras live on my 8 gallon with my platy- I'm starting to get afraid because they are around 2 years old, and they are getting old. I don't want the group to be less than two, but I don't know what I would do with the last two. I don't want to buy more because I'm now turning to live bearers, but I Sk t want them to feel depressed. Is there a good solution to this?