Marine Betta in Reef?

[Sigmund]

Was wondering if anyone can share personal experiences with Marine Betta's in reef tanks. I have read everything available on-line, kind of a mixed bag. Concerns I have are the following:

1.) Will it mix with my tankmates?
- (2) Angels -Venustus / Potters
- (3) Wrasses - Mystery, Leopard, Possum
- CBB
- Pep Hog
- (2) Clowns
- (2) Jawfish
- Circus Goby & Geometric Hawkfish
- (1) Very Large Cleaner Shrimp

2.) Will it eat ok in my tank?
- Meaning not it's tankmates, but yes to preapred foods (Mysis / Shrimp). Heard they are not aggressive feeders, the rest of my fish in my tank are.

Was thinking of trying to get a very small one and have it grow up in my tank, if it get's larger I have the ability to move to another tank. Wanted to put it in my 125gal display reef.

Any first hand practical experience would be appreciated. Thanks~

 

[rydr119]

My LFS always has them and I did ask one day, they said that they are reef safe but they tend to stay in the rocks and hid most of the time. So you most likely wouldn't see them that often. They feed all of their fish a mysis brine shrimp plus mixture and they eat it fine.

 

[tee1172]

I have had one in my reef tank for about 5 months or so. At first he was really shy and didn't come out much, but now he is out and swims around all them. I have a clown, purple tang, firefish, royal gramma and yellow watchman and he doesn't bother them. Once in awhile the purple tang and him get mad at each other but that is it. I also have a cleaner shrimp and he doesn't bother him either. They one thing I did was make sure that I bought a smaller one. He eats, frozen food, pellets and flakes.

 

[axia55]

1) Yes, I have kept two, each with different species ranging from nano-gobies to triggers, and have not had problems either way.
2) I have kept both of mine with agressive feeders. At first you will need to make sure they are getting food, but after a few months they should become fairly bold. One of mine even takes food out of my fingers.

 

[Sigmund]

Thanks for the feedback.

Much of the info provided is what I have heard, but it is always good to hear it first hand from people who have them.

 

[wayne in norway]

I have had mine about a month, in with some aggressive feeders. I have fouind the easiest way to start to make sure it got food was to feed it at night , physically popping a cube of frozen around the surface to scare the other fish away,and then, when it was left to float the betta would stalk and pounce on it. It is getting more and more aggressive at feeding.

 

[rachenbrazil]

Mine does eat pellets in a agressive feeder's comunity , it does take some morsels on sides and very quickly , kinda shy , but when decide to eat , he will eat. I have mine for 1 1/2 years and very calm with smaller gobies as well , but ate one small 1 inch pepermint shrimp... just it... but should be fine in your comunity

 

[tylorarm]

I didn't see mine much but he'd come out during regular feeding. I also ran just actinics at night and he'd come out like he ruled the tank. They're a very pretty fish (even more so with only actinics) and interesting to watch when they're not hiding. Approach prey sideways and using the eye decoy. Like most grouper family will eat most anything that fits in their mouth, but leave everything else alone.

 

[Sigmund]

Thanks all for the feedback. Will be getting a small one from a trusted local source on Friday. It has been in an isolated stocking tanks for a few weeks and only needs to travel 1hr to get to me, so should be in excellent shape when I get it.

I will send pictures once it is comfortable enough in the tank for me to get some.

I just hope that my Potters and Mystery Wrasse don't give him too much of a hassle. They are the welcome committee in my tank, they kind of run the show. Usually they are not to bad about it though....

 

[Wolverine]

Once they get big, they will sometimes decide to eat small fish, like chromis, damsels, and clownfish.

Dave

 

[blackheart]

Mine grew from 3 inches to around nine so far and is a great fish shy at first but now has a great personality even though he hate the halide. But is fine in the actinic. I had to work to get him to eat but once he started he never stopped.

I recommend one to the fullest!!

 

[blackheart]

PS: he ate my HUGE cleaner shrimp but these things happen (your will be eaten at some point) But mine has never gone after a fish he only likes shelled creatures.

god luck they are really cool

 

[Sigmund]

Beautiful Fish Blackheart...

Got mine on Friday. About 1.5 to 2 inches of body, 3 inches plus with the fins. My Potters wasn't happy about the new tankmate, but didn't know what to do with him so after a bunch of displaying just decided to leave him alone with no aggression.

Already loves the cave work in my tank, stays to the dim areas when the MH are on, more active with just the actins. Is already eating, and has learned quickly that me at the front of the tank means food. He comes right to the edge of the cave when he sees me, waiting for food. I think I have awhile before my shrimp or my small fish have anything to worry about, he is still quite small.

It's funny how white their mouth is compared to their dark body, can always see when he is eating even if he is under a ledge because all of a sudden you see this white mouth open and close.

I'll try to get a picture this week.

 

[adtravels]

what tank size would you all recomend for them.

 

[blackheart]

I would recommend at least a 75 gallon tank for these guy but remember that they will out grow it.

Let see some pics of your new fish sigmund!!