I have a 15 gallon tank with three otocinclus, two bronze corys and my
wife's much wanted beta. At first, same thing was happening like you said:
corys were going insane, clowning around etc...but they are really fun fish
to watch and they won't harm a flea. The beta was huddling in corners and
stuff but after several weeks he started to come out. Now, after a couple
months the beta sometimes "sits" with the corys and eats around the gravel
with them. In my opinion, the beta is a very shy fish. I'm not sure if
that's becuase they've been kept in isolation for so long before they are
sold.

Your beta should come out after several weeks and integrate with these
little bumpy clowns.
Dave.

"Ron M."  wrote in message
news:d7fc3008.0301121824.14acc90f{at}posting.google.com...
> My wife felt sorry for the betta in her office (it was a gift from a
> salesman), living in a tiny little bowl, so we decided to rescue it
> and bring it home.
>
> I haven't messed with aquariums in several years, but I had a big
> marine tank one time, so I'm pretty familiar with the mechanics of the
> hobby.
>
> I set up a 10 gallon tank with an Aquaclear 150 (#1 and #2 inserts),
> heater set at 82 and a few artificial plants and decorations for
> cover.  The betta was in fishy heaven! Sometimes he'd just rush the
> length of the tank for the fun of it. He loves to just drift around,
> take little fishie naps, etc. He is in perfect health, and eats fairly
> well - a couple of bloodworms twice a day or so. The water, of course,
> is sparkling clean.
>
> Until today. I decided to add three little one-inch Bronze Corys, to
> kinda keep the bottom clean, and to better utilize the tank's
> capacity. Yikes! These fish are INSANE. They are HYSTERICAL. Do they
> EVER calm down? Sometimes they'll dash right towards the betta, then
> zig-zag on either side of him, just going berserk all over the tank.
>
> Now the betta spends 90% of his time down at one end of the tank, and
> about half his time right under the discharge from the Aquaclear
> filter. Sometimes he gets caught in its current and it "blows" him
> halfway across the tank, and he'll just jump right back under it.
>
> What's going on? Do you think the corys aggravate the betta, or
> intimidate or frighten it? He's about 10 months old, and I don't think
> he's ever even seen another fish before. I can't help but pity the
> little guy - the peace and quiet of his nice, beautiful private tank
> has been destroyed by these three hysterical little demons.
>
> In fact, I'm probably going to take them back, anyway. They're not
> "peaceful" fish, not the kind we like to have and watch. Any
> suggestions for a bottom fish that's more peaceful, keeping in mind
> that this is a 10 gallon tank? I thought a pictus might be nice, but
> they grow way too big, in my experience. Please give me some advice
> here.
>
> Thanks,
> Ron M.
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