Betta / Compatible species

Question
Hey Karen

My son wanted to breed kribensis (in a 25 gallon tank)...but the female
severely harassed and attacked the male and I had to remove him.

My son was a bit put off by this as we thought they would pair off being the
only male and female in there.

The femal krib was not aggressive to the two albino corys or the two ottos.  
Just the male krib.  : (

I have not got room in my other tank to keep spare kribs once the female
chooses a mate so breeding might be off the menu, so to speak.

My son is also interested in betta fish. They seem a to just mope around to
me. Are all the betta lovers going to be up in arms about that?!  

I am hoping you will say in a community tank it would be happy and swim
around and not mope around on the bottom being run over by catfish.

Would a male betta suit the catfish, the ottos and the female krib? He is also
rather keen on a group of ember tetras.

I could move her to my larger community tank.

Gillian  : )
Australia
(it's been a long time since I have written -- it's not so hot this year
and finally it's raining!)

Answer
Hi Gillian,
That is unusual behavior for pairs of Kribensis.Are you sure you didn't possibly get two males? Usually they are easy to spawn and the only problem is them being territorial to other tankmates.

Bettas sometimes do well in community tanks. It really depends on the personality of the Betta. I have had a few that did well in a community setting but most of the time they seeme to like to have their own tank, usually a 10 gallon with plants. Also, sometimes other fish pick on the Betta's fins. Bettas really don't like too much current and other tankmates sometimes need more current. Be sure if you do get a Betta, you don't put hard plastic plants in the tank since they will tear the delicate fins of the Betta when they swim through the plants. It is really rather an experimental effort whenever you place a Betta in a community tank. You would just have to carefully observe and make sure everyone gets along. I have seen Bettas swimming around in tanks with other small fish such as Rasboras, Neons or any other small fish that isn't considered a fin nipper. Just be sure to not place a Betta in with any fish that have fins that would appear to be another Betta to them since they are quite the fighter when it comes to thinking that they are in a tank with another Betta.
Best of luck with your fish adventure!
Hope this has helped,
Karen--It has finally rained here in Texas too!!