talk me out of, or into a marine betta

Bent · 10/14/2015, 02:12 PM

Ive really been considering buying one, but I worry about all my little guys. Ive heard stories of them eating small fish and crabs since, you know, is predator and all.

I really dont want my porceilin crabs decimated or to loose my firefish. Its probably too big of a gamble.

Just weighing my next fix options in the next couple of months to round out my community.

What Id really like to have is an active swimmer, which the MB is not. I thought my fairy wrasse would fit the bill, but he just hangs out in one section of the tank near the bottom. I gots no top or middle dwellers.

mcozad829 · 10/14/2015, 02:15 PM

From what I understand the marine betas are similar to lion fish in that if it fits in its mouth its edible... If you value the firefish I would think you need to pass and go with something else, especially since it won't fit the bill of an active swimmer anyways.... How bigs the tank? And whats currently in it... maybe someone can recommend something that'll work out.

jason2459 · 10/14/2015, 02:16 PM

If it fits in it's mouth it may eat it. I'd be curious how they handle a high flow environment.

It's odd the wrasse isn't swimming around more. I've never had a wrasse that stuck to one spot that wasn't bullied or felt threatened.

Bent · 10/14/2015, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason2459

If it fits in it's mouth it may eat it. I'd be curious how they handle a high flow environment.

It's odd the wrasse isn't swimming around more. I've never had a wrasse that stuck to one spot that wasn't bullied or felt threatened.

He comes out, he doesnt hide or act scared. Hes just a big slug man. He will float around above his rock, or swim under it and back out again. The only fast active swimming he does is when I flood the tank with mysis.

Otherwise hes hanging out in his little section. He ventures out to the other side of the tank from time to time, but its mainly near the bottom and he just pokes around without a care in the world.

Its just a standard 55g currently have

rescue mandy
firefish
oscii clown
BTAs
Rock flower nem
hammer
frogspawn
monty cap
torch
favia brain
red head solon fairy

I think thats all, i feel like im forgetting someone.

jason2459 · 10/14/2015, 02:32 PM

The firefish should up around the top area swimming.

Otherwise chromis are normally water column swimmers. I would suggest a dwarf angel as they swim around a lot pecking at everything but that brain may become a snack. Or get another wrasse or a female of the same species you have and maybe will entice it to become more active. Plus it would bring out a lot more colors in that one you have.

Bent · 10/14/2015, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason2459

The firefish should up around the top area swimming.

Otherwise chromis are normally water column swimmers. I would suggest a dwarf angel as they swim around a lot pecking at everything but that brain may become a snack. Or get another wrasse or a female of the same species you have and maybe will entice it to become more active.

I thought about digging around for a female, but I've so far been unsuccessful. Think that's my best bet? They r kinda ugly though...

jason2459 · 10/14/2015, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bent

I thought about digging around for a female, but I've so far been unsuccessful. Think that's my best bet? They r kinda ugly though...

full term males are awesome looking. Blue wrasses wash out a lot more if there's no mate.

Bent · 10/14/2015, 03:03 PM

Alright it's settled then. Just need to find a female. Fairy wrasse that is. I'm already married. Besides, that would be a tough relationship to maintain...

CStrickland · 10/14/2015, 07:13 PM

have you considered a starry blenny?

Mine is super fiesty. He has a couple "thrones" that he observes his kingdom from and then swoops into any kind of drama - like another fish pecking a rock or looking at him funny. He's gone for my hand a couple times, but more of a headbutt than a bite, and none of the fish seem scared of him.
I'm really surprised how much I enjoy his antics, I like the kind of fish that looks around and notices whats going on outside the tank. He's cute in an ugly way (named him Antonin Scalia) cheap, and none of that high maintenance betta-drama.

Reef Frog · 10/14/2015, 08:40 PM

I've extensively researched the Marine Betta. Many owners have said they have never had it harass, hurt or eat any other animal over a long period of ownership. If I ever pull the trigger, it will probably be on a well fed captive bred juvenile as my last fish. I hope that will give me the the best odds for peace and tranquility.

Bent · 10/14/2015, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CStrickland

have you considered a starry blenny?

Mine is super fiesty. He has a couple "thrones" that he observes his kingdom from and then swoops into any kind of drama - like another fish pecking a rock or looking at him funny. He's gone for my hand a couple times, but more of a headbutt than a bite, and none of the fish seem scared of him.
I'm really surprised how much I enjoy his antics, I like the kind of fish that looks around and notices whats going on outside the tank. He's cute in an ugly way (named him Antonin Scalia) cheap, and none of that high maintenance betta-drama.

Oh that's who I forgot.

I already have a lawn mower. I figure he and the starry would not be BFF.

Oh and he does bite me...err rather gum me. Doesn't hurt but he does not like my hand at all.

10/14/2015, 02:12 PM	#1
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	talk me out of, or into a marine betta Ive really been considering buying one, but I worry about all my little guys. Ive heard stories of them eating small fish and crabs since, you know, is predator and all. I really dont want my porceilin crabs decimated or to loose my firefish. Its probably too big of a gamble. Just weighing my next fix options in the next couple of months to round out my community. What Id really like to have is an active swimmer, which the MB is not. I thought my fairy wrasse would fit the bill, but he just hangs out in one section of the tank near the bottom. I gots no top or middle dwellers. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

10/14/2015, 02:15 PM	#2
mcozad829 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Natchitoches, LA Posts: 619 Blog Entries: 1	From what I understand the marine betas are similar to lion fish in that if it fits in its mouth its edible... If you value the firefish I would think you need to pass and go with something else, especially since it won't fit the bill of an active swimmer anyways.... How bigs the tank? And whats currently in it... maybe someone can recommend something that'll work out. __________________ "You'll have plenty of time for rolling doobies... when you're living in a van... down by the river!"

10/14/2015, 02:16 PM	#3
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	If it fits in it's mouth it may eat it. I'd be curious how they handle a high flow environment. It's odd the wrasse isn't swimming around more. I've never had a wrasse that stuck to one spot that wasn't bullied or felt threatened. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

10/14/2015, 02:32 PM	#5
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	The firefish should up around the top area swimming. Otherwise chromis are normally water column swimmers. I would suggest a dwarf angel as they swim around a lot pecking at everything but that brain may become a snack. Or get another wrasse or a female of the same species you have and maybe will entice it to become more active. Plus it would bring out a lot more colors in that one you have. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

10/14/2015, 03:03 PM	#8
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	Alright it's settled then. Just need to find a female. Fairy wrasse that is. I'm already married. Besides, that would be a tough relationship to maintain... __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

10/14/2015, 07:13 PM	#9
CStrickland Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New England, U.S. Posts: 4,595	have you considered a starry blenny? Mine is super fiesty. He has a couple "thrones" that he observes his kingdom from and then swoops into any kind of drama - like another fish pecking a rock or looking at him funny. He's gone for my hand a couple times, but more of a headbutt than a bite, and none of the fish seem scared of him. I'm really surprised how much I enjoy his antics, I like the kind of fish that looks around and notices whats going on outside the tank. He's cute in an ugly way (named him Antonin Scalia) cheap, and none of that high maintenance betta-drama. __________________ If you're havin tank problems I feel bad for you, son. I got 99 problems but a fish ain't one Current Tank Info: 3/2016 upgrade to 120g. Chalk bass, melanurus, firefish, starry blenny, canary blenny, lyretail anthias, engineer gobys, kole tang. Softies / LPS / NPS. <3 noob4life <3

10/14/2015, 08:40 PM	#10
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	I've extensively researched the Marine Betta. Many owners have said they have never had it harass, hurt or eat any other animal over a long period of ownership. If I ever pull the trigger, it will probably be on a well fed captive bred juvenile as my last fish. I hope that will give me the the best odds for peace and tranquility.