Who Gives A Fish Forums

Hi, I hope I've got the right category for this question. I've just bought a 22 litre tank and I'm thinking of getting a betta - my research suggests this size tank is suitable, but I'm unsure about tank mates. Some people say they're fine with others, while others recommend keeping them solo. I'd love to hear your thoughts, as I won't be introducing any fish until the tank is cycled and the water's been thoroughly tested. I've kept other fish before - I've got a 150 litre tank with guppies and cory catfish - but this will be my first betta, so any advice would be great.

A 22 litre tank is a great size for a solitary betta, I'd advise against keeping them with other fish. They're just not suited for community life and do best on their own.

That being said, a nerite snail could make a nice companion, they come in various sizes and colours, and are generally low maintenance.

If you want to speed up the cycling process, you could try taking some media from your established 150 litre tank, this should give your new tank a bit of a head start. Alternatively, if you plan on keeping the tank heavily planted, especially with floating plants which bettas tend to love, you might be able to get away without a full cycle, provided you're confident the plants are thriving before introducing your betta.