The Betta fish are also called “Siamese fighting fish” or the “Japanese fighting fish”.
So, just from the name, you can tell it is no surprise that they are notorious and famous for being quite aggressive towards other fish.
It is not easy to find a tank mate for a betta since they will not be too friendly with each other.
Choosing a wrong tank mate for your betta can cause comfortabilities, injuries, and even death to at least one of your fish.
However, it is not impossible. There are quite a few types of fish that can co-habitat happily with betta.
There are a few guidelines you should follow and some extensive selection you have to make to find a perfect tank mate for your betta.
We are here to help you ease the burden of choosing the right one.
Table of Contents
Can Two Betta Fish Live Together?
I just want to make this very clear from the very beginning. No, two betta fish should not live together.
If you think, because two betta fish are alike especially with environmental requirements and food, they will best live together. That is not true, especially when talking about two male betta fish.
Betta fish are very territorial. Besides the fact that the two male betta fish will end up fighting and hurt each other, just the fact that they are sharing the same space will stress them out greatly. And a stressed beta is more likely to fight with its stressor.
Unlike its male friends, female betta fish can live together in the same tank. A tank with multiple female betta fish are called betta fish sorority tanks and they look pretty.
However, they are still aggressive and territorial. So even though it is possible, it is difficult and takes lots of efforts and attention from the owner.
So if you are not an experienced fish keeper, I don’t recommend keeping a betta fish sorority tank in the beginning.
A Checklist for Starter
As you learn more and more about betta fish and your fish, in particular, you would know what works best for your fish and you can add or take out what you need from the checklist.
But for now, here is a simple checklist to start off your search to find a tank mate for your betta.
- No nibblers or biters: betta fish are aggressive by nature. They can attack another fish just for being in their area. So you can imagine the outcome if they live with another fish that often bites. If a fish nibbles at the betta, they will get bitten back for sure.
- No bigger fish: bigger fish can appear intimidating for the betta. Being close to the presence of an intimidating fish can easily trigger the betta’s fighting mode and you don’t want that.
- No more colorful fish: similar to sizes, a colorful fish can be intimidating for betta. So you also need to avoid getting a colorful tank mate for your betta buddy.
- Check aquarium size: betta fish are very territorial. Regardless of how many fish are in the tank, the betta fish alone needs at least 5 gallons of water space for itself. Even if the betta fish doesn’t fight, having its personal space smaller than 5 gallons can cause great stress for your betta.
- Check bottom feeders: bottom feeders are great fish to live with betta. Most of them can happily cohabitate with a betta fish. Check them out to see if you would like a bottom feeder in your tank.
- Dietary requirement: remember to check the dietary requirement for both of your fish. Your other fish may or may not have the same dietary preferences and requirements like your betta. It is important to give both you fish a good and healthy diet. Cross-reference their diet to make sure that a thing that is not harmful to one fish will not be harmful to the other as well.
- Tank ornaments: Sometimes the cohabitation of the two fish in your tank can be nurtured further by you. Add a few tank ornaments and live aquatic plants. In case, once in a while, a fish is intimidated, it can have some places to hide.
What Fish Can Live with a Betta Fish?
As you can see from the checklist, it is actually not that difficult to find a tank mate for your betta fish. Most of the fish that can satisfy the requirements in the checklist above are likely to be fine living with a betta fish.
However, if you are looking for some concrete guide instead of a general guideline, here are a few specific suggestions of the types of fish that can cohabitate nicely with betta.
Neon Tetra
Neon Tetra is the mid-tank area type of fish. Normally, they would keep their distance from the betta so they can get along quite well.
Neon Tetra is vibrant in color. Together with your betta, they will make your tank look very vibrant and colorful.
Betta and Neon Tetra in 10-gallon tank (peaceful!)
Bristlenose Pleco
They are usually pretty shy so they tend to be very reclusive. They would keep it to themselves and cohabitate nicely with your bettas.
However, bristle nose plecos can grow quite large sometimes so be careful with the size of your tank.
Glass Catfish
This fish is a cool species. They are completely see-through, and they are as calm as a fish can be. Needless to say, they can be the perfect tank mates for your bettas.
Blue Gourami
The Blue Gourami is closely related to the betta fish but they are not as aggressive. The similarity in their environmental requirements and dietary habits make them perfect tank mates for your bettas.
Cory Catfish
Cory catfish are calm, small, and white to dark gray in color. They appear as no threat to the betta fish. Betta fish and Cory Catfish can live together in the same tank harmoniously without any problem.
White Cloud Mountain Minnows
White Clouds are small, schooling fish with short fins and a pale gray, white color. They even share similar diet with the bettas. Keeping them together, you’ll have fewer things to worry about.
These are only a few popular species of fish that can cohabitate nicely with the bettas. But as said above, most of the fish that can satisfy the requirements in the checklist can be a betta fish tank mate.
You have plenty of options out there. Do not be afraid to venture out and do your research to find the ones most suited for you and your betta fish.
Johny says
Thank those guidelines helped me a lot with deciding and finding a new friend for my betta fish
Wolfman says
That’s good I hope your bettafish does well. As for me I’m going to breed the KiNG AND QUEEN fighter plakat bettas the babies will have a fight style like BOXER MUHAMMAD ALI. their rating is 20* cause their fight style would be multidimensional that theirs no long fin or short fin or giant betta that could win against it. If i entered it into a fight arena it wouldn’t be about size it would be that he’s multidemsional.????????????????????????????????????????????????
Byler says
Dude what is your problem? Put the soylant down
Alexis Carter says
no do not do that wolfman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! bettas are beutiful fish that need to be cared for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 thailand has bettas that they fight for a sport!!!!!!!!!!!!! I Hate it when bettas are bred for fighting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁 bettas have feelings to they can be hurt…………………………………………………………..
Candy says
Can red tuxedos go into a tank with a betta
Kaitlynn says
This article helped because I’ve wanted a catfish but I was afraid of how it would live with my betta
Julius Esguerra says
Thanks for the guide actually now Im getting a betta fish and unable to decide what fish can go with him
Thanks again????????????
ayush says
Thank for those guidelines 🙂
i am planning to keep a betta fish in my community tank of tetras.
there are 5 pairs of glowlight tetras, 3 pairs of neon tetras. what should i add next?
When choosing a prepared food for my glowlight tetra, I would recommend TetraMin Tropical Flakes. I have always had success with this food in the past and it is known for its high-quality ingredients.
Mary-Susan says
I hope all goes well for your little fish. I put three neons in with my betta yeyesterday and all three are dead today. I dont know whether to blame my betta or not.
Caleb says
Multiple males can live together I currently have 3 males 9 females an 8 guppy’s all in 60 gal feel free to contact me at archangelsfury420@gmail I’ll gladly share photos of them anytime
Stepanie Doster says
I’d love to see pics!!
Alison Nicholson says
Really wolfman? No wonder these fish are one of the most abused fish species. They are a thing of beauty not money making machines and certainly not sport
Alison Nicholson says
4 bettas and only tank mates mine have tolerated are snails. Tried small fish, big no no for my bettas. Loki my veiltail is solo wouldn’t even tolerate a snail. Odin, bit of flaring but has stare off with his nerite buddies, no biting though. Zeus, has his rabbit snail buddy Dylan. They share the log hide together. Apollo, all out attack on neons. Wont tolerate white clouds either so has ramshorns for company. Every betta is individual and have differing personalities.
Kate says
True. My betta is completely non aggressive toward his tankmate snails and shrimps. Only problem is that the shrimps are multiplying like bunnies- I read that would not happen in fresh water. Obviously not the case. They are overloading the bioload.
Alexis Carter says
I need help with my Betta!!!!! im am so worried!!!!!!! theres a cloudy film that comes back after a day or to after clean his tank no matter what. and i also know it can do to a betta i have a 0.7 gall tank and he is pretty small compared to the other 3 i had in early years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! if anyone can help me plz reply. ps his name is wave. this happened with all my bettas except for 1 wich was my first one
Summer Rigney says
Your tank isn’t too small. If you meant to put 0.7 gallons, the tank isn’t even a gallon. I suggest at least a 5 gall. And if you don’t have a filter, that’s might help.
Matthew says
Uh Is a 2 gallon ok?
Genevieve says
no you need at least a 2.5 gallen tank for a betta alone
Shelly says
I have a betta in a 29 gallon tank by himself. Here because I want to find a tank mate. I’m sorry to tell you but 0.7 gallon is just sad. That fish has/ had – 0% quality of life. Get your betta a bigger tank so it can thrive. Good luck.
NightMom says
I unfortunately have to use city water [well water is ???? %better] , I’ve also to the end of my rope with that film…. Chlorine was the culprit due to work on water lines, added 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda to my 35 gallon tank. Cleared up and fish are fine….
Dixie L Conner says
Just put your city water into several containers and let it sit for over 24 hours. Your city water will then be safe for any fish. The chlorine and fluoride evaporate out of the water in 24 hours. To be safer, let your water sit for 48 hours before using it with fish. I’ve been doing this for years and it works fine. I also drink the water that I’ve saved!
Chris says
Thank you so much for this information. I have had my male betta in a Heavily planted five gallon with three tiny ember tetras and two quarter sized red eyes for three weeks and today the two red eyes are going in a five alone. I have been really letting my bettas space become invaded and he’s spent lots of hours swimming back and forth at the front of the tank and now I know why. He’s trying to get the hell away from those two hyper ass red eyes. Thank you thank you
Cmac says
I have a 14 gallon bio cube with my beta along with cardinal tetras and 2 small Corys. Some of the cardinals have lived 8 to 9 years. One beta made 6 and he was full grown when I bought him.
nathaly says
thank you for this information ! Now i know which fish can live with my betta fish . Thank you very much as always