Who Gives A Fish Forums

So I've got a 10 gallon tank with a male betta and a bunch of Endler fry that hitched a ride on some plants. The betta's been chill so far, but I'm worried he might snap. Anyone dealt with this before? Tank's got a sponge filter, temp at 78, and plenty of java moss for hiding spots.

It depends on the betta's temperament. Some are aggressive, others ignore small fish. Your setup sounds good with the hiding spots. Monitor the betta's behavior closely for the next few days. If he starts flaring or chasing, you might need to separate them. What's your water change routine like?

Yep, bettas can be sketchy with fry. Mine wiped out a whole batch of guppy fry once. If your guy's chill now, he might stay that way, but keep an eye out. How big are the fry? Tiny ones are more at risk. Also, what's your feeding schedule? A full betta's less likely to mess with them.

I've had this happen too. My betta ignored the fry until they got bigger, then boom, snack time. If you've got a spare tank or breeder box, might wanna move the fry. What kinda plants you got besides the java moss? More cover could help.

burrow wrote: ↑Wed Apr 23, 2025 7:46 am It depends on the betta's temperament. Some are aggressive, others ignore small fish. Your setup sounds good with the hiding spots. Monitor the betta's behavior closely for the next few days. If he starts flaring or chasing, you might need to separate them. What's your water change routine like?

I do 20% changes weekly, using Seachem Prime. Parameters are stable, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. The betta's been pretty laid-back, just curious about the fry so far.

Your water maintenance sounds solid. Stable params reduce stress, which can curb aggression. Since your betta's not showing signs of hostility yet, you might be okay. Just watch for any sudden changes in behavior. How old is the betta? Younger ones tend to be more active and potentially more predatory.

pineL wrote: ↑Wed Apr 23, 2025 11:27 am I've had this happen too. My betta ignored the fry until they got bigger, then boom, snack time. If you've got a spare tank or breeder box, might wanna move the fry. What kinda plants you got besides the java moss? More cover could help.

Yeah, more plants like hornwort or guppy grass could give the fry better odds. Also, try feeding the betta more often. A hungry betta's a dangerous betta.

For real, hornwort's a lifesaver. Grows like crazy and gives fry tons of hiding spots. If you don't have a spare tank, maybe float a breeder net in there. What's the betta's name? Sometimes the feisty ones have feisty names, lol.

coppertown wrote: ↑Wed Apr 23, 2025 7:04 am So I've got a 10 gallon tank with a male betta and a bunch of Endler fry that hitched a ride on some plants. The betta's been chill so far, but I'm worried he might snap. Anyone dealt with this before? Tank's got a sponge filter, temp at 78, and plenty of java moss for hiding spots.

Given the tank size and setup, you're doing better than most. A 10 gallon gives the fry room to escape if needed. Just avoid overfeeding, as excess food can spike ammonia and stress the betta.

True that on the overfeeding. Also, if you're using live food like brine shrimp, the betta might get too interested in the fry. Stick to pellets or flakes for now. How many fry we talking? A handful or a whole swarm?