Tank mates for a male beta?

Question

So, freshwater is foreign territory for me... I wanted saltwater so I jumped into that right away, that was four years ago and i haven't regretted anything.

Anywho, someone got me a little red male beta- he sat in a bowl on my dresser for the longest time, but a few weeks ago I put him in a spare 10 gallon tank I had.

He looks so tiny just swimming around, the tank looks so empty! Obviously another beta is out of the question and I don't need any fry(my guppies breed faster than my pipefish can eat their babies!) so are betas compatible with other fish that are not betas?

Answer 1

No! Betas are VERY aggressive fish. If you put a mirror next to the tank he'll slam into the walls trying to get it. Try using a divider for your beta so they can't kill eachother!

Answer 2

Although bettas do perfer to have a tank all to themselves, (your lucky fish is probably living it up in there right now) they can get along with a number of other fish.

These fish include zebra danios, Lemon tetras, platies, corydoras catfish, most other peaceful tetras, plecostomus, ottocinclus, cherry barbs,  neon tetras, and most catfish do just fine with bettas.

It really depends on your bettas personality though.

Overly aggressive bettas should only be kept with quick fish like zebra danios or bottom fish such as Corydoras.

More docile bettas need docile fish that are not prone to nip long flowing fins and have a very gentle nature

And some bettas that have been alone in their tank for a while will be scared of other fish in their tank until they get used to them.

Good luck! :)

Answer 3

bottom dwellers, shrimp, dwarf frog, snail, tetras, loaches

all those ^^

just nothing flashy and long finned

Answer 4

The main things to consider when choosing tankmates is to avoid any other agressive or territorial fish species, any fish with long fins or bright flashy colors, and any fin nippers like barbs.  Gouramis should also be avoided as they are territorial and are in the same fish family as bettas so they frequently clash.

I've seen video of a male plakat eating a young guppy so I would avoid those too as bettas are carnivores and will eat anything they can fit in thier mouth, not to mention that overly territorial bettas can and will see a flashy male guppy as a potential threat.

Corys are good choices.  I've kept those with bettas just fine.  I've also currently got mystery snails in with my bettas which is great cause they help keep things clean.  Ghost shrimp also work but bettas might snack on them.  I've caught one gulping down a dead one before I could fish it out. He looked like a balloon afterwards.  Many loachs like kuhlis would also work.

zebra danios and neons often work but watch for fin nipping.  Same with platies and swords.  Rasboras often make great choices along with some tetra species.

I dont reccomend gouramis, barbs, angel fish or any chiclid, and mollies

Answer 5

Yes!  I have my Betta in a 90 gallon planted tank with male Guppies (so no babies! Also, the Betta does not see them as mini Bettas as some people would have you believe!).  Inhabitants in this Betta tank also include male Platies, Corydoras and a Blue Gourami. My male Betta is doing wonderfully! The Betta also loves to be around plants as well!  Contrary to what seems like popular belief, Betta's can be community fish.  I removed other tetras however, because they were trying to nip at his fins. At the same time, the Cardinal Tetras I had in another tank were a good mix with my Betta.  As long as you have non fin nipping peaceful fish I think your Betta would be quite happy with the company!

I have not seen any aggression from any fish in my tank, particularly not the Male Betta! Actually, the Male Betta is very calm and peaceful in this set up.

I wish more people would consider these fish for some community tanks, and then maybe we wouldn't see them all in little containers in the fish store!  Also, I think because the fish stores often put them in these little containers, people believe that this is what the fish prefer.. it is not!

Good luck with your Betta, a sweet fish for sure!

Stacey

Answer 6

With a tank that small i wouldnt suggest putting anything else in... they're actually quite happy living on their own but if you insist on putting more fish in make sure they're small peaceful community fish and are unlikely to put his beautiful fins at risk such us cloud mountain minnows or tetras... but i really wouldnt...

You can make the tank look more exciting with some small plants which he'll appreciate and ornaments and things xxxxx