Marine Betta (Comet)

[jessiesgrrl]

I have had this fish in my FOWLR tank until recently when I sold the FOWLR. When it sold, I moved her into the old reef tank, and now I think I may have a buyer for the old reef tank as well.

The lunar wrasse, baby panther grouper, and show niger trigger are probably going to a LFS, but I just don't have the heart to get rid of the Betta... she's my favorite fish in the saltie world. :( She's way bigger than my whole hand with her fins out.

I know if I put her into the reef, she'll eat the crabs/shrimp, etc but I wouldn't care too much about that. Have you guys ever heard of them eating zoas? Clams? Anything else in particular? ALl I can find about her on the internet is geared towards captivity in a FOWLR tank, or talks about the whole clean up crew issue. And some of those places even referred to her as a grouper (She's an assessor, and although similiar, is not a grouper..!)... :rolleyes:

Thanks!
Laurie

 

[jessiesgrrl]

Found this on WetWebMedia, what do you guys think? Has it played out like this in your tanks?

Marine Betta Buddies...
Hi Guys
<Scott F. your guy tonight>
I am living in Bangkok, Thailand. Previously Australia. I have just set up my 270ltr (65 gallon) reef tank - about a month old. Wow.. So much trouble to get reliable service and equipment here. I know it's early days but after learning some lessons setting my first reef tank up, I am planning well ahead to avoid the same mistakes. So I am seeking some advice in advance of stocking when the tank is ready.
<Glad to help>
The tank has no sump, two Rio 3000 powerheads with split duckbill adaptors to direct the current, a Red Sea hang on Berlin venturi skimmer (noisy pump on that model - I don't recommend one - can u suggest a quiet pump to drive it), a canister filter will be fitted to filter for phosphate/nitrate removal, 2 x actinic 30watt and 2 x Clear marine fluorescent tubes that came with the tank Should I change them to 40 watts - the light seems to dim to me),
<The more light the better, in most applications>
a Resun CL-280 chiller (really efficient and super quiet, low heat output!). About 1/3 of the tanks is taken up by the live rock reef which has lots of caves, good current flow and the base is crushed coral (the only reliable stuff for a base you can get here).
It's to be a coral tank mostly (soft and hard corals).
<I think that your corals will fare better in the long run if you stick to one or the other (soft vs. hard corals).>
Recently I saw a marine Betta (Calloplesiops altivelis) in a store here which the sale guy recommended as placid and reef friendly (people here will tell you anything for a sale, so I am not sure to trust this). Are they ok in a reef, what are some ok tankmates and a clean-up crew to house with them.
<They will not harm sessile invertebrates. However, they will prey on small fish, if they can catch 'em. I have had one in my reef tank for some time, and he seems too slow to catch many of the small blennies and gobies that I keep, but I wouldn't put it past him. Also, being a secretive fish, you might only occasionally get a view of him, but it is always a spectacular sight when he emerges!>
I was planning to slowly stock the tank with a maximum of 6 to 8 fish. 1 feature fish (maybe the Betta) to not exceed 6 inch and the rest about 2-3 inch max. Is this too many and are the smaller fish going to be in danger from a sea Betta? Your Sincerely, Brett
<As above. The Marine Betta can get pretty large (like 5 inches or so), when it can become a realistic threat to small fishes. However, most of the medium sized wrasses, Pseudochromis, etc. could be okay, as long as sufficient hiding places are provided. I'd draw the line at about 4 fishes, plus the Betta. Yes, it's a bit conservative, but I think it will serve you (and the fishes) better in the long run. Good luck, Brett! Regards, Scott F.>

 

[Zeppelin]

Laurie

I love Marine Bettas also. Mine eats any invert he can swallow. Current one is about 3 years old. Sounds about the same size as yours. Mine has never touched a coral in the tank. I have euphyllia, shrooms, and zoanthids in the downstairs tank, and the Betta doesn't bother them. Hope this helps.

 

[jessiesgrrl]

Thanks, Zeppelin, I appreciate the info. It does help... I like researching them before I make a move with the livestock, but sometimes a bit of extra reassurance is needed, especially where my best corals are concerned. She is a big, beautiful fish. She'll eat some of the smaller fish in the tank, but maybe I can catch them first with a fish trap.

I think I am going to move her into the reef- can't stand taking her to the LFS- it would be way too sad. She is absolutely majestic with her fins out. I'd like to put a yellow frogfish in with her- I think the contrast would be stunning.

:fingers crossed:
Laurie