Knowing other aquarium buddies that your betta fish can live with will help you avoid troubles when choosing tank mates for them. Of course, you should know by now that wrong tank mates will lead to fighting, injury, and even death.No one ever wants that!
Not minding the fact that betta fish have a reputation for fighting, they can still live in peace with a number of other fish within a community aquarium. Some of these fish include the Harlequin Rasboras, Blue Gourami, Bristlenose Plecos, and snails. It is important to note that the size of the tank matters a lot also when introducing tank mates.
These vibrantly colored fish are often seen swimming solo as they are quite territorial and do not prefer company.
It’s also known to be aggressive and may indulge in biting, tail beating, raising the operculum. This behavior is a common occurrence when it comes to companion fish. Therefore, the need to prepare adequately before choosing a tank mate for your betta.
List Of Fish That Can Live With Bettas
There are a few fish and other marine animals that can coexist with the betta fish if the tank is large enough. These include:
- Amano Shrimp.
- Snails
- Otocinclus catfish.
- Bottom Feeders
- Bristlenose Plecos.
- Blue Gourami
- Harlequin Rasbora.
Can Betta Fish Live With Other Fish?
Few types of betta fish can co-exist with some other fish. However, you must take care of the following factors:
- Tank Size: It’s important to take care of this factor. A small (5-gallon) tank may not be enough. Your betta fish will get into a war and may end up injuring other fish or getting injured. It’s not a good situation for anyone involved. This is why it is best to go for a big tank (at least 10-gallon). This will ensure there is enough space for all the animals to co-exist.
- Decorations: Do not place a lot of caves, rocks, and decoration pieces into the tank. It may look good but it can reduce the swimming area. This may cause fish to attack each other.
- Gender: Two male bettas can hardly co-exist. They will fight over territory and may even kill each other. Hence, be careful about this factor. You can have multiple female bettas in the same tank but never too bettas. This can be a problem even if the tank is big enough as the males will work to make a group or community, which may not be possible if there are other male betta fish in the tank.
- Avoid Colorful And Long Finned Fish: Betta fish are known to attack colorful and long finned fish. This is a mistake you should never make.
- Quiet: Do not choose a fish companion that’s noisy and messy. Bettas require peace and can get irritated easily.
- Avoid Large Fish: It may sound like a good idea to keep betta fish with larger fish but in reality, it doesn’t work. Big fish can cause the bettas to get intimidated and attack. Hence, be careful, otherwise, your tank will be a big mess.
Mollies and Betta Fish
Mollies and Betta Fish, but you will have to take care of several factors.
Mollies can grow fast and may end up being 3 inches bigger than bettas. This can cause bettas to fight as they do not like bigger fish.
Other than that, both the bettas and mollies have a similar diet. They consume meat and plants and may end up fighting over food. You must be careful when dropping food so that there isn’t a war.
With that being said, the most important thing here is to choose a larger tank. A 20-gallon tank will be appropriate because it will allow both the species to live at a distance. However, the size also largely depends on how many fish you want to keep.
It’s important to keep a balance. If you have a pair of mollies then you can have a pair of bettas.
Note: Betta fish take time to learn to live with the mollies. They may even fight in the beginning. Hence, keep an eye on the tank. They usually mingle within a few days but if the fights continue or if they’re serious, then you might have to find the mollies another home.
Bottom Feeders and Betta Fish
Pygmy Corydoras are not colorful and are quite small too, therefore, they can live in the same tank as bettas.
However, they are unlikely to survive alone and need to live in a group. Hence, you will have to put five to six in the tank.
Gouramis and Betta Fish
Bettas and gouramis have a lot in common. Hence, they may not always co-exist. They both are aggressive and known to fight.
If you really want to keep these two together then make sure to choose a big tank – at last 20 gallons.
Algae Eaters and Betta Fish
Algae Eaters have a calm nature, a different diet. Plus, they are bottom feeders. Therefore, they can easily coexist with betta fish. Moreover, they both require the same level of pH (7).
Bristlenose Plecos can be a good option. It’s easily found and known to be calm. However, the can grow very quickly and need a lot of space to swim. Adult fish can be 6 inches in size, so be careful about this factor.
Rasboras and Betta Fish
Rasboras and Betta fish can live together because they prefer the same living conditions: water temperature (78°F), pH (around 7).
Harlequin Rasbora can be a good choice. It is a common species that is small in size, hence does not bother other fish. Plus, they are fast swimmers and hence can run away if they ever feel danger.
However, since they live in groups, you must keep at least 7-8 in the same tank.
Otocinclus and Betta Fish
Both of these can coexist but keeping an otocinclus catfish is not easy. They are high maintenance fish and prefer stronger water current due to which you will need to arrange a 30-gallon tank.
Plus, they also need hiding places which is great since the betta will not be able to find them.
Keeping Shrimp With Bettas
Shrimps and bettas can live together peacefully only if the conditions are right. You need to make hiding places in the tank using real plants, decoration pieces, etc.
Make sure that the tank is more than 10 gallons and you’ve placed soft plants inside. This is important because shrimps feed on these plants and a lack of soft plants can cause shrimps to die.
Both these species prefer similar water temperatures and pH levels which is a good thing. Also, shrimps grow up to be only 1 inch in size, hence they are not a threat to bettas and can coexist.
Betta Fish and Neon Tetra?
Yes, they can live with each other if the tank has enough space. Neon Tetra fish prefer to swim in the middle of the tank, giving betta enough space to move around.
They can easily live in the same tank if there is enough space.
Betta Fish and Goldfish?
We love goldfish but sadly they cannot coexist with betta fish. First of all, they prefer different conditions. Betta fish are tropical unlike goldfish as the latter prefer colder water, at about 72F. However, this is not the only issue. Betta fish may attack goldfish.
The Bottomline
There are different types of betta fish. While they’re all pretty attractive, they differ in nature. Some can easily coexist with others, while some cannot.
It is important to do a good amount of research and keep a big tank if you want to keep other species in the tank. Each betta fish require about 2.5 gallons of water.
Bettas are aggressive and can rage a war if they are not kept in the conditions that they prefer. The tank should be big, they should be given food on time, and the environment must be as per their like. They will usually not attack if they are treated nicely.
