Wanted: Tank Mates for Betta Tank

What Makes a Betta a Betta

 

Betta fish can be very territorial in small spaces, so you want at least a 10-gallon tank for them and their tank mates. Choose species that can thrive in water temperatures between 76–78°F (perfect for bettas), so make sure you have a trusty aquarium thermometer and heater. The water also needs to have a pH value between 6.5 and 7.5 (keep those test strips handy). Since betta fish are top dwellers, go with tank mates that are middle or bottom dwellers. Other things to consider:

 

• Avoid slow-moving species because they’re more likely to be attacked by a betta. 
• Don’t get large-finned fish or those with similar coloring to your betta. Your fish might confuse them for another betta. 
• Bettas will bully fish that are left alone. Choose species of fish that shoal (i.e., swim together) in schools of at least five. 
• Stay away from large or fin-nipping fish because they may try to attack your betta.

 

All male bettas like to think they’re the alpha dog, so don’t make another male betta your fish’s new neighbor. On the other hand (or fin), female bettas are more accommodating when it comes to other female bettas or species. Only put male and female bettas together if your goal is baby bettas.   

 

Ideal Tank Mates for a Betta Tank

 

To keep the peace, these are the species we recommend as betta tank mates.

 

• Ghost Shrimp – Inexpensive and easy to care for (they’re scavengers who eat everyone else’s leftovers).
• Feeder Guppies – These types of guppies won’t trigger a betta’s aggressiveness due to their dull color and shorter tail.
• Cory Catfish – Non-aggressive and bottom dwellers. Also known as glass catfish. 
• Harlequin Rasbora – Passive fish that’ll stay out of the way of your betta.
• African Dwarf Frog – Docile frogs who only come to the surface to fill their lungs with air.
• Neon Tetras – Yes, they’re brightly colored; however, their speed will keep them out of harm’s way.
• Ember Tetras – While surface feeders, these fish will spend most of their time in the middle of a tank. 
• Clown Plecos – A hardy, tough-skinned fish that can take on a betta’s nipping. With clown plecos, you’ll want a tank of 15 gallons or more.
• Kuhli Loaches – Eel-shaped fishes who mind their own business. Kuhli loaches need to be in a 20-gallon tank or bigger. 
• Mystery Snails – These grow too big to become food for fish. 

 

Not-So-Great Tank Mates for a Betta Tank

 

Unless you want trouble in your aqueous paradise, these are the species that should never be on your betta tank’s guest list:

 

• Goldfish – Besides being potential food for goldfish, bettas need water that’s warmer than what goldfish prefer.  
• Fancy Guppies – Unlike feeder guppies, fancy guppies are brightly colored and long tailed, so a betta might mistake them for another betta. 
• Angelfish – Not only are they big and territorial, angelfish are also fin nippers as well. 
• Tiger Barbs – Just like bettas, tiger barbs can be super aggressive. 
• Cichlids – Their larger size and territorial nature can stress out bettas.
• Gouramis – Betta fish and gouramis will fight each other for territory.
• Pea Puffers – On top of their territorial temperament, puffers do better in a mix of fresh and saltwater.
• Red Tail Sharks – Aggressive fin nippers, so fights would be inevitable. 

 

How to Acclimate a Betta to New Tank Mates

 

It’s better to move your betta to an already-populated community tank versus adding new species to a betta tank. Doing the latter could make your betta feel violated and might lead to conflict.

 

To help ensure a smooth move, follow these steps:  

1. Quarantine your betta in their current tank for a few weeks, making sure it’s healthy. If you’ve never had a betta fish before, there’s definitely a right way to set up a betta tank.
2. Ensure the water temperature and pH value of the community tank meets betta standards. 
3. Put your betta in a small plastic bag filled with water from their “home” tank. Place the bag or container in the community tank and allow it to float for about 15 minutes. Based on the size of your bag, add a ½ cup to 1 cup of community tank water to the bag and allow it to float for another 15 to 20 minutes. Add more tank water to the bag 1 or 2 more times. Once the temperature in the bagged water and community tank water are the same, it’s time to release the betta.
4. Don’t mix the bagged water with the water in their new tank. Scoop out your betta from the bag and then introduce them to their new home. 

 

Watch how things go for a few days. Even if something is from the ideal tank mate list, your betta still might not get along with them.

 

You may have to return your betta to their original tank if you spot any of the following signs:

• Fighting among the fish
• Your betta isolating itself in some corner of the tank
• Visible damage to your betta’s fins (e.g., missing scales)
• Tank mates have mysteriously disappeared (probably became betta food)

 

If your betta does have to go back to their original tank, make sure the water conditions are right for a betta and do the same thing you did when you acclimated them to the community tank.  

 

Conclusion

 

Betta fish are totally fine living by themselves; however, that doesn’t mean they can’t have tank mates. The trick is to find species that’ll respect your betta’s personal space or won’t turn the tables on a betta’s feisty, territorial nature. Once you’ve settled on some suitable tank mates, acclimate your betta properly to a community tank. You should also make sure everyone is getting along. Yes, there’s an “I” in “fish” – but that doesn’t mean your betta has to live alone.