Tank mates for Marine betta and Starry blenny

[Kyryah]

These are the two fish that I have my heart set on for the tank I am in the process of setting up. I wouldn't mind a couple of smaller fish, but I don't want to go too small and have them end up betta snacks...

I want something colorful and fun and not just the same old cardinals and chromis that everyone has. Any suggestions? I'll research each and make sure it will work, don't worry

Oh, tank is a 46 gallon bow, mixed reef with minimalist rock-work. Upgrading my 30 gal long.

 

[29reef]

I suggest not getting the comet, it will eat small fish. Your tank is pretty small, and any larger fish you add to it will be too big in the long run. I suggest maybe buying a few simple books; Scott Michael has written some great pocket references that you can use to select a few fish.

What fish do you have now?

 

[Kyryah]

None I have a single Fire clown in my 30g, but she is not moving to the 46. Her and my Teddy Bear Crab will have their own set up (he is supposedly a coral eater, although he leaves the few softies I placed in his refugium alone, I am not running the risk of having to tear my 46 apart to get the little sucker out if he decides at some point to start snacking.)

The Clown is FAR too territorial to add any other fish. But, she is funny and I like her witchy little personality.

If it necessary to forgo any other occupants, then that is what I will do. My heart is set on the betta.

 

[MCCOOL]

I have a Betta in my reef tank, the smallest fish I have with it Is a Plectranthias inermis that's about 2 inches, they've been together over a year now with no problem. I also have dispar anthias, leopard wrasse, fairy wrasse, firefish, etc. in the tank.

I've read a number of times that they'll eat small fish, but it's mouth only opens to the size of a dime or so, so I doubt they're a serious threat to most fish. Granted, I wouldn't put one in with neon gobies, or red spot cardinals or anything that small.

I've had my Betta for about 3 years now and it's about 4.5-5"

This is all just my experience, and I'm sure mine will eat everything now that I've written this :lolspin:

 

[Kyryah]

LOL, you know, right?

I have just read mixed "reviews" with the bettas. I know really small and really thin fish are out. Some say no problems, some say they have had problems, so I think I will err on the side of caution.

I also realize that my tank is slightly smaller than recommended, but I am very diligent about keeping my tanks clean and it is going to be very lightly stocked.

So, what about Taenianotus triacanthus? I really think it would be literally "beneath" the notice of the betta. My CUC is mostly snails, a few hermits, no shrimp.

 

[iheartJMS]

I've had a yellow tang, clowns, sixline wrasse, diamondback goby, green chromis, coral beauty, flameback angel, yellow tail damsel, royal gramma, and various snails and hermits with my betta for over 3 years and he hasn't touched/harmed/bullied a thing. They are great fish in my opinion.

We also had one before we moved to Florida and that betta never bothered anything either.

 

[Kyryah]

Thanks for the input I am definitely going to go with the betta, I love these fish, they are so beautiful.

I'm wondering if those that are eating small fish are doing so out of hunger? I have read that they need to be started out with live foods, maybe some are just not feeding them correctly/enough?