Need more fish

Question
I just got a 5 gallon tank I put my betta in there and he's happy, but the tank looks empty, I would like to get more fish for the tank. What kind of fish would you recomend I get so that my betta wont fight with them? He seems lonley, and I hate having just the one fishy. I don't have alot of money so I can't get the exspensive fish, but I would like to know what kind to get.
Thanks

Answer
Hi Manda;

I apologize for not getting to your question sooner. I have four children and three of them graduated this year. My twin girls from jr. high and my son from high school. so, I've been pretty busy!

Wait for the tank to fully break in before you add any more fish. It takes about 6 weeks once you add your first fish. here is my article about it;

http://www.xanga.com/Expert_Fish_Help

Once that process is over, look for a couple of fish that stay small. A community tank with small fish can have one inch of fish per gallon of water safely. This is calculated using the fishes' adult size because they will all grow. The betta takes up 2 to 3 inches worth of population by himself so that only leaves two inches for more fish for a 5 gallon. You could add maybe a couple of little cory cats. They get about and inch to 1.5 inches each. Fish such as neons, danios, or white clouds are pretty small and may work, but your betta may try to eat them. Cory cats are cute and they are schooling fish so get two. They don't even have to be the same color. They will cruise around on the bottom help keep the tank clean too.

Remember to make weekly 25% water changes once it breaks in too. Your fish will need them in order to stay healthy. Here are some beginner web site links to help you through;

http://www.fishinthe.net/html/section-viewarticle-23.html
http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/beginnerinfo/a/fishcalc.htm
http://www.firsttankguide.net/size.php
http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/aquariumstartup/a/newtankmistakes.htm

Have fun with your new tank!

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins