What order should I introduce species to new tank?

M

miki

Member
I already know what fish I want and how many but I don't know if I should put hem in a certain order or not.

After my tank cycles what should I add first?

- male betta
- cory cats
- dwarf otos
- neon tetras
- sun burst platys
- cherry shrimp
- an apple snail

I heard that if I put them in a certain order there will be less fighting over new territory.
stop badmouthing the betta. He will only attack anoher betta or fish that looks like a betta.
 
M

moira

New member
I have never heard of that, but I would put the tetras in there first then add a snail and maybe a shrimp or another species then some one species at a time a week or so later.
I would not suggest the male betta fish. They nip fins, rip fins, kill fish, and most don't like company at all.
 
B

BlackKat

New member
You don't have to worry too much about the order for the fish you've chosen. This applies mostly to fish that are aggressive/territorial, especially if there's a difference in size or aggression level.

With your group, what would be of most concern is the tolerance of the fish to tanks which may still be cycling or aren't fully mature. For this, you'd only need to worry about the neons and otos. I would add these last, and wait till the tank has been set up for at least 6 months. Both tend to do poorly in newer tanks.

Male bettas can be touchy about tankmates. Some can live with other fish just fine, but other seem to need a tank of their own. Just use caution with other brightly colored fish or fish with longer fins that could look like another betta. But it's usually how the other fish treat the betta [because of the long fins and slower swimming] that you need to be concerned about.

With the betta, you won't be getting many platy or shrimp fry live to adulthood, though.
 
H

Himynameis:ANIMAL

New member
There isn't really a correct order to add fish once the tank is cycled with the group you have chosen.

But I agree that the neons and otos should be the last you add due to their frailty to new water conditions.

I raise Bettas and there is a variety of personalities. Right now I have 6 males. Two of the males get along with any and all other fish one even lives in a 75 gallon with fish from a red tail shark to a blood parrot cichlid no one picks on anyone else. Then I have 1 that will only tolerate platies any other fish he torments. One that only gets along with a very old neon tetra school he will torment any new neons I add but as long as it is the original group he is fine. And then 2 that hate all other fish.

I have also had a betta be beaten to death overnight by other fish so I would watch them all carefully at first.
 
F

fishobsessedt

New member
The Betta will actually get along well with the tetras, platys and the cory's if they are kept in schools, and your tank is big enough (I've kept Betta's successfully with these fish). If your tank is too small, this will pose a threat on the Betta, and that's when they become territorial. They are usually quite shy fish though and they normally keep to themselves in community tanks. I would add in the corys first to cycle the tank, and then add in the tetras and the Betta. Then add in the rest however you like. Just add in one or two fish at a time on a weekly basis. Betta's are capable of attacking other fish, I had one that attacked my pleco once, but as I said, they usually are good community fish to have in your tank :)
 
Top