Guppies and Bettas

[CBTF]

ok, tonight i added guppies to my tank with the betta (male). I know there have been a few issues (arguements whether or not its safe) in the past but I think it would work out.

He doesn't care about the 2 lyretail guppies I added, and doesnt pay much attention to the 2 fancy tails I added. For whatever reason though, the fancytails flock to him and follow him around, getting as close as they can. Its not intimidating, just almost like a schooling thing. Makes no sense.

Anyways, they've been in there a few hours and the betta has already ripped the fins of one of the fancytails in half. Not terrible since that usually happens to guppies anyways. When he attacked the guppy I saw it happen, the guppy got way to close and was bumping into him.

The guppies will learn to leave him alone soon right? :|

I think if they keep a distance my tank will be peaceful. The fighting fish is too busy trying to attack his reflection in the black parts of my new background I bought today.

Id really like to keep them in the same tank, if not the guppies have to go back. The betta is not really going after them (spare a few times) and usually only attacks when they are too close. Anyone have sucess or seen the two fish together peacefully?

 

[hunnysnax]

i had a similar set up when i first started out in my 3 ft. i had guppies and added the fighter. the fighter was lovely. he would swim around and look pretty and it was good... however the guppies nipped at him more and more (occasionally he would retailiate) after about a month he was becoming more and more shy so i took him out. when i took him out i saw how ratty his fins were from the guppies. its a shame. he was a beautiful fish. far nicer that the imbred little guppies i had at the time (honestly i could not stop them breeding... it was one constant fish orgy)

anyways keep an eye on them i have heard of this set up working... but it didn't for me. good luck

 

[CBTF]

Thanks for that information.

I dont worry about the betta- anytime ive seen something nip at his fins they pay for it. The guppies are just kinda dumb, following him around. No nipping though.

Ironically, the guppies cost more than the beta. They're hiding in the corners now, maybe they got the hint. Hoping the guppys fin will repair itself, provided everyone gets alone. beautiful pink shades in it.

if anyone else has input or has tried this id like to hear what happened!

 

[HYPERASHEL]

i have this in both my tanks now. 1 betta per tank as well as guppies. in one the betta was added first and the small tank the betta was introduced last. in both cases it works well for me, the betta just swims off if he's bothered more than his liking in both tanks, but even that is a rarity. good luck but don't let your betta suffer if somene needs to go to a nother tank, back the the LFS do what's right.

 

[CBTF]

To anyone thinking about trying this, read my post. To those who manage to make it work, you're **** lucky.

So last night everything is well, until I see the betta literally eat half of the guppie's tail. He wasn't letting go, so I had to reach in the tank and take the two apart. While I went to grab something to put the betta in temporarely, he hunted the other one down and did the same thing. So the betta was taken out, needless to say.

I assumed everyone would be fine until morning when we go back to the LFS. Wrong. Two lyretail guppies ganged up on a fancytail and ate/killed him. Im taking the other fancytail back now.

I dont know what to do with the lyretails, and whether or not they will try and eat my betta at some point.. maybe ill take all the survivors back and get danios..