[Fluval Ebi] Tankmates for a betta

[Arcteryx]

Decided not to get shrimp to keep the betta company in my Fluval Ebi... with my luck, I'm pretty sure my betta is one of the shrimp-snacking variety I realize they're usually good community fish but I'd like the tankmates to be comfortable in the relatively small Ebi as well.

Any suggestions, opinions and ideas?

Thanks!

[thefishwife]

I have a fluval edge, with a betta in it, and his tank mates are chili rasporas, and bridgittes. I have had dario, dario's in there, think there is still 2, and 1 otto. He has never touched any of the fish . Only the shrimp I have put in there.

[Morainy]

If you like shrimp but don't want them to be eaten, may I recommend a couple of dwarf orange Mexican crayfish? I think you can get them from Aquariums West (Robson & Beatty) or from Mykiss at Canadian Aquatics.

The dwarf crayfish are larger than shrimp and a very nice orange that shows up nicely in the Ebi. (I have two in an Ebi with black substrate). They love plants but they don't seem to eat them, just climb them. They are not shy and will stare at you expectantly for food, then drag the food under a plant to eat it.

I wouldn't put more than 2 in an Ebi-sized tank but they go very well with fish. I have 5 celestial pearl danios (galaxy rasboras) in with mine. They do not bother the fish.

[Arcteryx]

Thanks guys! Yeah, the more I read about it, the more I realize the non-shrimp-eating betta is the exception and not the rule... sigh. Maybe I could run a shrimp only Ebi and have one with the betta.

Would have to get the Director of the Pet Control Committee (aka The Wife) to approve that...

[Arcteryx]

I wouldn't put more than 2 in an Ebi-sized tank but they go very well with fish. I have 5 celestial pearl danios (galaxy rasboras) in with mine. They do not bother the fish.

I looked up these danios and they look amazing... were you keeping them with a betta or with the shrimp?

[Morainy]

I have celestial pearl danios with the orange dwarf crayfish but they would be great with shrimp. I have never tried them with a betta but someone else here said they would be fine because they don't have long tails and don't resemble another betta.

[crazy72]

I'd suggest white cloud mountain minnows. Nice and active, and can tolerate lower temps too. Go great with bettas IMO.

[Arcteryx]

OK... I'll check that out too. Thanks

[Tarobot]

i'd say any sort of tetras. danios and minnows prefer fast and colder water but a betta can't really swim very well so it's best to put the betta with slow moving water and higher temperature fish like tetras.