I'm getting a betta fish and a few neon, need help?

Question

I'm getting a betta and a few neon tetras what do i need, i got a five gallon tank??????

I know you will probably be saying why is he going to put those fish in such a small tank or that's suicide. But trial and error i'm think it necessary to put hiding places for the neon's in case the betta gets hungry.

But all i ask is for help on my first fish.

Answer 1

there is no hiding place if your betta gets hungry!!!!

it will eat your neons.

either put the neons or the betta, not both.

and i won't shout on you for putting them in such a small tank :-)

Answer 2

5 gallon is okay....

Answer 3

It shouldn't be too bad with the 5 gallon, but I'd suggest as soon as your budget allows, getting a 10 gallon. For Tetras to be happy, they need at least 6 of them so they can school, and a 5 gallon isn't enough for that.  Also, you'll need a fairly heavily planted tank in order to provide hiding places for the tetras in case the betta gets aggressive.

On the other hand, the tetras could get nippy with the betta as well. You don't see it as often with the neon's as with, say, the red-eye tetras, but it does happen. If they get nippy with him, they could do some serious damage to his delicate fins. That's another reason to keep them in a large enough school. If they have each other to pick on, they will be less likely to pick on your betta.

Also, all of them being tropical fish, they'll need a heater. 72-76 degrees is a good temp to keep them at. They will need a filter as well. The filter and heater you can get at walmart for pretty cheap.

If you have any other questions, you can email me.

EDIT: By the way, a Betta won't "eat" your neons, he wouldn't be able to fit them in his mouth...lol The real danger is him nipping and biting them to death.

Answer 4

5 gallons should be fine. The betta should leave the neons alone, but be careful because they may not make it if you put them into an uncycled tank. The tank needs some time to set up the bacteria. Do some research on cycling the tank. I think the betta should be fine, but neons tend to be a little more fragile when it comes to that. Get a filter, light, heater, and gravel. Keep the water around 78 degrees. Also make sure there are plants that the betta can rest it's fins on and hide in.

Good luck and have fun with the tank