Marine Bettas, Good or Bad

[dmweise]

I've been thinking of getting a Marine Betta. I've seen them in shops occasionally and think that they look really cool. I haven't known anyone who has had experience with them in the home aquarium.

Are they a good fish or are they not worth it?

[kkiel02]

Ace was trying to breed them so you might try talking to him. Or maybe he will post up

[ballardjr2000]

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+46+364&pcatid=364

lots of info from dr foster and smiths

[dmweise]

Yep, the information there is good. I'm just curious about other aquarists' experience with them.

I love liveaquaria.com :D

[ballardjr2000]

same here i buy from them for live rock and loved it. i get fish at the local FS though

[OrionN]

They are very seclusive. They need a relatively large tank to be comfortable (60 g plus with lots of rock). You will rarely see them at first. It took 6-8 months before I see my MB regularly. I never see them eat for many months, assuming that they hunt and eat at night, all the live food in the tank. I got a pair of them in a 450 g tank.
Very hardy fish and never get sick, beautiful, graceful and very interesting fish, but not flashy like some of the colorful marine fish.

[dmweise]

Sweet, I have a 90 gallon tank. I think I may get a Marine Betta in a few months. I'm in the process of getting more rocks for my tank.

I've always loved the different color spots that they have and the way that all three of their larger fins seem to come together to form a large blade shape.

[MikeP]

I had one that I got from a member here back in 2002? Had him till this last november when he passed away, assuming old age related but the fish had to be 8+ years old. Very gentle other than with shrimp which is a big no no. I've heard they may eat very small fish but mine was safe with gobies , blennies , and damsels.

May take them a few months to get acclimated and they will spend a fair amount of time in caves and crevices so provide them with some large hiding spots. Also no super aggressive fish - they will spend more time hidden with really boisterous fish but do well in a reef provided they have hiding spots and not small tankmates. I wouldn't keep one in anything less than a 75 long term.

[dmweise]

Sweet, sounds like I have a good home setup for one. I've got a 90 gallon tank and don't have any ornamental invertebrates. I have two skunk shrimp, two fire shrimp, and one coral banded shrimp. All of them would be too big to fit in a marine bettas mouth.

[mikedelgado]

I had one for years in my 125.I really only saw it at night when the actinics were on and the room was dark so he couldnt see you . That fish was amazing his polka dots and edges of his fins really flouressed. He would glide thru the water like smoke zone in on a pod or something hover , make his kill and dissapear. I could never keep shrimp of any kind(except a big coral banded) And all my small fish would slowly dissapear. Im pretty sure he was eating them. very hearty fish, I am sure it would still be alive but a 3 day power outage took out the fish in that tank many years ago. I would get another one but I like my shrimp and small fish more. I am pretty sure its in the grouper family

[dmweise]

My fire shrimp and skunk shrimp are actually about the same size as my coral banded shrimp. I think they should be okay.

[msmith619]

My fire shrimp and skunk shrimp are actually about the same size as my coral banded shrimp. I think they should be okay.

Not likely. The marine betas get at least 6 inches in length and any ornamental shrimp will disappear. Never under estimate the size prey a grouper can swallow. They can eat fish 1/2 their size or sometimes even bigger. Shrimp and other crustaceans are their primary food. If you like your ornamental shrimp, get a different tank for them or the beta.

[OrionN]

I had cleaner shrimps without problem in my tank. My MB was large, certainly more than 6 inches including the tail. I think you want the shrimp in before the MB, then they will be fine.

[Kristy]

I have no experience with marine bettas, but I've watched my hawk fish tear apart a cleaner shrimp from limb to limb that was as big as the hawk fish. This was after several months of peaceful co-existence in our 100g tank, then one day the hawk discovered what delicous treats were hidden in the tank. Hard to fight nature.

The point being, if the shrimp are more important to you than the betta, you may want to hold off. The marine betta may or may not leave the shrimp alone; just the chance you take.

[OrionN]

I got my Marine Beta pair with lots of small fish, Yellow citron goby (these guys are only about .75 inch), fire fish, cleaner shrimp, orchid dottyback. All of these for 5 plus years without problem. I did have a 450 g system. IME as long as the small fish and shrimp are in the tank first and as long as the MB are well fed, there will be no problem