Bettas and tropical fish?

Question

i just learned that bettas can be w/ tropical fish, so i'm interested in putting one in my aquarium. but my fish are small, like 1-1.5 in. are my fish safe w/ a betta? thanks!

Answer 1

Generally small short finned fish will be safe with a betta, as long as there is plenty of space for everyone. Betta may attack other fish that it mistakes for a betta (gourami, male guppies) and larger or more agressive fish are likely to attack a slow moving betta.

But they can be kept with many other fish.

Ian

Answer 2

i have tropical fish the same size as yours and i put my betta and them together, they were fine.

Answer 3

Bettas are like Pit Bulls - bred for agression.

Figure it out.

Answer 4

Bettas actually are fine with other tropical fish (usually).  A lot of people think that, since they're 'fighting fish' that they cannot go with ANY other fish; however, they only fight with other male bettas and occasionally other small fish with long, colourful fins.  So, unless you have some fancy guppies or something, he won't be the one doing the beating-up.

The one thing you must worry about when you put a betta in a tropical tank is who may beat HIM up.  Some of the larger tetras (i.e. congo, columbian, etc.) as well as any barbs, gouramis, and the obvious aggressive ones (cichlids...) would DESTROY a betta, because they're extremely easy targets (slow swimmers with pretty fins).

Bettas would be fine with most tetras like neons, lemons, and other small ones as well as bottomfeeders like the corydoras, ottocinclus, etc.

What kind of fish are in your tank right now?  Feel free to message me and I'll give you my opinion on whether or not you could put a Betta in with them.

Answer 5

if by tropical, you mean saltwater, then you have learned wrong! If freshwater, you can put a betta in with other fish, but be warned that he might be aggressive towards the other fish. Keep him with fish around his size, and when you introduce him to the tank, do it with the aquarium light off (less stress) and rearrange your decorations in your tank. Rearranging will throw the fish out of their established territories, and they will all be adjusting to a "new" environment along with the new fish - it's kind of a distraction to keep them from ganging up on each other

Answer 6

Bettas are very aggressive and will probably flare up and try to fight any fish you put with them. They can be put into the same aquarium, but only with the use of a small compartment (often used for breeding) that the betta goes into in the corner of the tank or a tank splitter.  

Answer 7

I wouldn't attempt putting a betta in with smaller fish...he may pick on them, stress them out by showing that he is the boss cause he's bigger. Betta's are beautiful fish...but ornery.