Last Updated on October 5, 2020
If you’re serious about taking care of betta fishes as a pet, you need to know which fish you can put with a betta.
Having a community tank is one of the fun parts of the fish keeping hobby. You will really enjoy how the various types of fish interact with one another and their environment. This is like bringing a small part of nature into your home in the form of an underwater ecosystem inside a tank.
Betta fish will be the major star in a community tank because it should be the biggest fish present. Remember the rule of the fish world that anything that a fish can fit into its mouth will be its food. You would not want to add any fish bigger than your betta. In line with this, choose tank mates that aren’t too small to become your betta fish’s next meal.
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Do betta fish get lonely?
Betta fish are highly territorial and would appreciate having a tank with no intruders that will invade its private area. But, betta fish also need stimulus to remain active and healthy. A healthy betta is a happy betta. Betta fish will learn to approach its owner near the glass when it gets used to a feeding routine. This is stimulation and interaction.
Betta toys are also available such as mirrors to stimulate the male betta fish’s reaction of gill flaring and fin fanning as a display of territorial instincts. Some fish keepers can train their betta fish to play with small toys such as balls and hoops.
Incorporating your betta into a community tank will provide interaction very similar to the natural setting. Seeing other fish around in its tank will always keep your betta fish busy.
Related: Do Fish Get Sad When Other Fish Die?
Which fish can live with betta?
Here is a brief list of fish and other aquarium pets that can live with a betta safely. Always keep in mind though that your betta fish may react more aggressively so always have a backup plan such as an extra tank if your betta is too territorial.
- African Dwarf Frogs
- Cherry Shrimp
- Cory Catfish
- Dwarf Plecos
- Dwarf Rasbora
- Ember Tetras
- Ghost Shrimp
- Glass Catfish
- Harlequin Rasboras
- Khulii Loaches
- Neon Tetra
- Otocinclus Catfish
- Snails
Can bettas live with guppies?
Betta fish might consider male guppies as a threat because of their vibrant colors and flowing fins and tails. This may closely look like other male betta fish. Remember to avoid putting two male betta fish together in a tank. This will lead to territorial betta fish fights. Guppies also nip fins of other male guppies so they may also pose a threat to the long delicate fins of the betta.
If you want to put guppies together with a betta, then choose the most plain-looking gray-colored females that do not have any flowing fins that the betta may attack. Always have a backup tank just in case your betta still attacks the female guppies.
Can neon tetras live with bettas?
Yes! Neon Tetras are tiny schooling fish and won’t take up much room. They won’t create a big bioload. These will not bother your betta fish and will stay out of its way. 5-6 neon tetras are ok to put in a 5-gallon tank together with a betta. 10-12 neon teras will create a good school for a larger tank of 10 to 15 gallons.
Can bettas live with snails?
Yes! Bettas can have snails as tank mates. Ramshorns Snails, Malaysian Trumpet Snails, Nerite Snails, Assassin Snails, and Mystery Snails can live with bettas. They will not hurt your betta fish. A curious betta fish will once in a while inspect a snail and could try to nip the snail’s long tentacles. The good thing is that snails have a hard shell in which they can hide when a betta fish gets too curious.
A common aquarium snail known as the bladder snail will usually hitch a ride when you buy live plants. It may surprise you to see a few in your tank after a few days of setting it up. Do not worry because they are harmless to betta fish. The problem with these bladder snails is that they multiply so fast especially if you overfeed your fish. This makes many people annoyed which made the name “pest snail” stick.
Do bettas like tank mates?
Each betta has a unique personality. Some betta fish are very aggressive while others are more placid. If you set up a community tank, then proper research regarding tank mates will always be important. Betta fish are territorial and they will defend their territory as much as possible. Tankmates that are best for betta fish will be those that will not attack your betta and constantly harass it.
Betta fish will have an excellent source of stimulation from interacting with its tank mates. The mere sight of seeing other fish in its tank is a good form of stimulation. This will give your betta more activity and will also give your tank more action and color.
Another approach to try out when introducing unique types of fish to one another is by using aquarium dividers. This will let you use the same tank and slowly let the fish get used to each other before finally letting them interact with each other. When you notice that they will not get along then at least you have a divider to keep them out of each other’s way.
- Fish tank divider is made of food-grade plastic material, avirulent and tasteless, environmental protection wont affect water quality.
- Using grid divider can effectively separate fish and prevent them from biting each other. Increasing the survival rate of baby fish, isolating diseased fish and aggressive fish.
- Size: 11.8x5.9x0.3inch; You can easily divide your fish tank into several compartments with these divider holders for breeding or separation.
- This plastic grid can cropped and free splice combination, and the sucker clip can be fixed anywhere in the aquarium.
- Package includes 4 pcs black grid dividers and 8 pcs sucker clip, easily to fix and move.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
- Package Include: 1 pcs 11.8 x 11.8 inch Aquarium Isolation Plate 8 sets adjustable Isolation Plate Suction Cups
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
- Fits Most 10 Gallon Fish Tanks. Approx 12in x 10in. Please measure your tank before purchasing!
- Suction cups that attach divider on top and bottom of aquarium (Aquarium Not Included!)
- Pins that hold mesh and side/top rails together
- Seperates aggressive fish, breeding fish or fry
- Seperates fish without extra filteration or heaters needed
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Advice on fish you can put with a betta
Remember that a betta needs its personal space to call its own. A minimum of 3 to 5 gallons is important. Add lots of plants and hiding spots for its tank mates if the betta patrols around its territory. Having an extra aquarium as a backup is a superb idea when you notice that your betta is being too aggressive or your betta is getting too stressed out by other tank mates.