Beta fish and Goldfish

Question
along time ago I put together a 20 gal tank with a beta fish
some neon fish and some gold fish..  I adjusted the temp to
75degree's   and everyone was happy..

now I have a 10 gal tank no neons so no need to adjust temp 4
goldfish and one beta fish ...  

my question is that do beta fish and goldfish get along .. cus
one of my goldfish where just murdered jaw broke in two places
.. when I first got him he didn't seem well ..but you think the
beta killed it or what cus this never happened to me before when
I had a beta with my goldfish in a 20 gal tank...  

also one of my larger goldfish I have is kinda going nuts well
looks that way he normaly swims freely around and now since
the killing he has been franticaly swimming from wall to wall of
the tank..


please respond at my email address thanks

Answer
Hi Dana;

Bettas and Goldfish really aren't compatible. Bettas are tropical and actually need a heater like the neons did. The goldfish might be getting scared by the betta if he is trying to get terretorial with them. This can cause serious injuries and stress them too much. They would all be better off if you separated them. Sounds like the betta is just not playing nice.

Many bettas are kept in bowls and small tanks without heat, but they don't do very well once winter hits and the room temperature gets below 75. If you can get a small tank with a good light on it to keep it warm that may work though. Give that little devil his own place! Until you can do that, he might enjoy a mirror placed close to the tank for him to fight with. He will think it is another betta. Maybe then he will leave the other fish alone for awhile?

Followups welcome

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins

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