Even though we understand that Betta Fish can be aggressive toward each other, in the right aquarium, some Betta can live happily in a community. However, before you plop your Siamese Fighting Fish into just any community aquarium, check out our list of “pre-approved friends” that your Betta may be happier living among.
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What Fish Can Live With Betta Fish?
You may be surprised to learn of all the fish that are known to cohabitate peacefully with the Betta species. Check them out!
Harlequin Rasboras
This beautiful little fish sports a reddish-copper-colored body with a dashing black wedge-shaped marking on its lower end. Males are slender with a rounder black marking, while the black wedge on the female is perfectly straight. The Harlequin Rasbora is happiest when kept in schools of 8 to 10 individuals.
Size: 1.75 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons
Lambchop Rasboras
Named from the black “lambchop-like” marking found from their lower back to the tail, this bright red or orange-colored fish loves to be in small groups of at least 6 individuals. Females are rounder than the sleek males and both genders are very peaceful.
Size: 1.5 to 2 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons
Dwarf Rasboras
Also known as Pygmy Rasboras, this sweet little fish has vibrant black dots along its body. They are peaceful friends for your Betta; however, they do tend to be timid, so we recommend keeping them in small schools of 8 individuals.
Size: Up to 1 inch
Tank Size: Minimum 5 gallons
Scissortail Rasboras
Named for its deeply forked tail fin with black bands running along it, this active fish opens and closes its tail fin in a scissor-like fashion. The shimmering silver of its scales is striking in both ambient and aquarium lighting.
Size: 3.5 inches
Tank Size: 10 to 15 gallons
Chili/Mosquito Rasboras
These super active little fish may be small but they are beautiful in red and orange colorings. They love to play in the middle to the top portion of the aquarium, displaying their sweet personalities for all who notice.
Size: .06 to .08 inches
Tank Size: 5 to 10 gallons
Ember Tetras
With a bright orangish-red body and a tall dorsal fin (with darker hues), these active little fish make a great addition to your Betta community aquarium. They are active fish that enjoy being kept in small schools of 5 to 8 individuals.
Size: Just under 1 inch
Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons
Rummy Nose Tetras
A school of these tetras would make a great addition to any 20-plus gallon tank. They have striking silver bodies with ruby red faces, and a black and white striped tail fin. They are considered a “shoal” fish which means they do better in small schools where they can spend time grouped together.
Size: 2 to 2.25 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons
Neon Tetras
With neon red and blue stripes on their slender torpedo-shaped bodies, these popular little fish need to be kept in groups of at least 6 individuals to fulfill their shoaling instincts. Though these fish may be considered “hardy” they do need an established tank to thrive in.
Size: 1.5 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons
Cardinal Tetras
As popular as their beautiful cousins, the Neon Tetra, the Cardinal Tetra is slightly larger and sports a bright neon blue stripe along the top of its body and a red stripe along the bottom to the tip of its tail fin. They do need to be in schools but it is well worth it when those colors are flashing with their fast swimming.
Size: 2 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons
Black Neon Tetras
These little fish sport an enamel white stripe on top of a black streak down the middle of their light-colored body. Typical of other neon tetras, the Black Tetra is a peaceful fish that enjoys being kept in small schools of at least 6 individuals.
Size: 1.5 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallon
Platies
Popular because of their bright colors and peaceful natures, the Platy is a great choice for a Betta tank. Males are slightly smaller than females and for best results, they should be kept in schools of at least 6 Platy fish.
Size: Up to 3 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons
Bronze Corys
This is one of the most popular species of catfish for both novice and experienced aquarists. They are easy to care for and are hardy bottom-dwellers that do tend to be shy. They are available in green, albino, bronze, and even black.
Size: 2.5 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallon
Pygmy Corys
This fish likes to keep to itself and makes a great addition to any community tank. Males are smaller in size measuring in at 0.75 inches long. The bodies of both sexes are silver with two black stripes running along their sides.
Size: Up to 1 inch
Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons
Endlers Livebearers
These colorful fish can be kept as a single or in schools of at least three individuals. The Endlers species looks similar to a guppy and are easy to maintain in a community tank. They come in a variety of metallic and neon shades.
Size: 1.8 inches to 2 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons
Kuhli Loaches
This eel-like freshwater fish has a slender body and tiny fins. Their bodies are usually multi-colored ranging from light pink to brassy yellow. On top of the base color, the Kuhli loach has between 10 and 15 dark stripes.
Size: 3 to 4 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 15 gallons
Mollies
There are several types of Mollies ranging in color from black, orange, red, silver, and white. Their bodies are flattened with short fins. This peaceful fish is great for beginners; however, they do like to be kept in schools of at least 4 individuals.
Size: 3.5 to 4.5 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons
Zebra Danios
The Zebra Danio is an attractive fish sporting a silver-gold body with blue-purple horizontal stripes. They are quick little fish that enjoy the company of others (school of at least 4 individuals). Note: the Danio can be a fin-nipper, use caution with Betta fish.
Size: 2 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons
Dwarf Crayfish
These interesting critters resemble lobsters; however, they are much smaller. They have hard bodies and heads with sharp horns and antennae poking out of them (which they use for smelling food). The Dwarf Crayfish also has dark beady eyes.
Size: 1.6 to 2 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 10 to 20 gallons
Otocinclus Catfish
This shy little fish comes equipped for gripping the glass of the aquarium with its sucker-like mouth. Its brown-shaded cylindrical body sports a dark horizontal stripe with muted dots on top and a light-colored belly.
Size: 1 to 2 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons
Clown Pleco
This species of algae eater makes a fine tank mate for Bettas as they have tough skin in case Betta gets nippy. The Clown Pleco has a dark body with light-colored striping and is easy to care for. Just be sure when adding a pleco, the species stays small (some can grow up to 2 feet long).
Size: 3.5 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons
Glass Catfish
You can literally see through this calm schooling fish. When they are in a small school of at least 6 individuals, they appear to be swimming skeletons. Unlike their larger bottom-dwelling catfish cousins, the Glass Catfish loves to hang around the middle of the tank, exploring all it has to offer.
Size: 5 inches
Tank Size: 30 gallons
African Dwarf Frogs
These peaceful critters like to be kept in small groups of 2 or 3 individuals. They are somewhat social with each other but will most likely ignore the Betta fish. They are grey to brown and do not have gills, so they will need to breathe air from the top of the tank.
Size: 2.5 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons
Malaysian Trumpet Snails
With their cool sugar-cone-shaped shell ranging in colors from grey, white, or brown (with or without patterns) this snail will help keep your tank’s algae under control. They enjoy spending daylight hours buried under the substrate searching for food, while at nighttime, they will forage along the glass and other areas slurping up the “slime.”.
Size: 1 inch
Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons
Ramshorn Snails
This species of snail comes in a wide variety of both skin and shell colors. The shell is shaped like a ramshorn and will grow with the snail until adulthood. This species also needs to breathe air as they do not possess an operculum or the “trapdoor.”
Size: 1 inch
Tank Size: Minimum 5 gallons
Mystery Snails
The shells of this species come in many different colors, some with patterns. They have a separate head with eye stalks on them and a strong suction mouth for slurping up algae and fallen food. Like all snails, the Mystery Snail needs a diet rich in calcium for shell health.
Size: 2 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 5 gallons
Assassin Snail
This snail is known for its yellow and black striped shell (like a bumblebee) that spirals out like a sugar cone. This species also possesses a siphon which enables it to breathe and detect prey. This slow-moving snail feeds on other snails and spends most of its time buried in the substrate searching for food.
Size: 1.25 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons
Nerite Snails
Different species of Nerite Snails are available in several colors and patterns. Females tend to be larger than the males; however, both sexes are peaceful, slow-moving, and spend most of their time searching for food and consuming the algae buildup on the walls of the tank.
Size: 1 inch
Tank Size: Minimum 5 gallons
Ghost Shrimp
These clear-colored crustaceans are peaceful and love to skitter along the bottom of your tank foraging for fallen food. Interestingly enough, you can also see those leftovers in the shrimp’s body! The Ghost Shrimp is shy and won’t make any trouble for your Betta fish.
Size: 1.5 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons
Cherry Shrimp
These crustaceans are graded by five color variations; however, they are all hues of red from lightest to darkest. Regardless of its color, the Cherry Shrimp is an industrious little critter that minds its own business of keeping the bottom of your tank clean.
Size: 1.5 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 5 gallons
Amano Shrimp
These shrimp are very peaceful until the food is dropped in. Then you will see them clamoring around the substrate trying to get the morsel first before the dominant shrimp moves in – there’s definitely a pecking order with the Amano shrimp species.
Size: Up to 2 inches
Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons
Fish to Avoid
Some species of fish will not do well with Betta. Whether your Betta will go after them because of their bright colors or long fins, or the tank mate will be aggressive toward your Betta. The following fish species should be avoided:
- Goldfish
- Angelfish
- Red Tail Sharks
- Cichlids
- Tiger Barbs
- Puffers
- Gouramis
- Other male Bettas
Aquarium Requirements for Betta & Tank Mates
We want to stress that successfully housing tank mates with your Betta fish will be largely dependent on the personality of your Betta and the size of your aquarium. Tiny enclosures will not be ideal for tank mates that need to be kept in a school or for fish that grow quite large.
We highly recommend a community tank with a Betta to be at least 10 gallons (larger is better for schooling fish). You will need a good heater to sustain the optimal temperature of between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
You will also need a low-flow sponge filter that will not create a strong current as your Betta may get sucked into it which could damage its fins and will cause undue stress on your Betta.
It is best to create an environment that closely mimics real life, so you will want to add plenty of live plants. These not only help to decrease toxins in your tank but they also provide hiding places for your Betta and community buddies.
How to Introduce a Betta Fish to a Community Tank
Before you add a Betta fish to a community tank we strongly recommend taking the following precautions;
- Make sure your community tank is free of disease or parasites
- Ensure your Betta is healthy
- Clean the community tank by doing a partial water change and cleaning the filter
- Check the water conditions (pH, ammonia, nitrates, etc.).
- Ensure it is at the optimal temperature (between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Acclimate the Betta by floating it in the travel container.
Once you release the Betta into the tank, keep a close eye on him to ensure there is no aggression happening. Your tank should already be equipped with plenty of live plants and decorations to provide hiding places for your Betta in case he feels stressed.
Pro Tip: It is better to add a Betta to an established community rather than trying to build a peaceful community around him.
If you notice conflicts arising that do not resolve themselves, you may need to relocate your Betta to his own aquarium. Remember, some Betta are not social and would rather be alone than constantly stressed or in territorial mode. In the wild, Betta fish live solitary lives, so don’t feel bad for him – he likes it that way!
Betta Tank Mates Conclusion
Bettas don’t have to be alone with the wide range of suitable tank mates available. However, it will depend on your Betta’s temperament as to whether he will be happy in a community tank. To help avoid aggression, it’s better to add a Betta fish to an already established peaceful community – just be sure to have plenty of live plants and hiding places for your Betta to call his own.
If your Betta is too stressed out, be sure to be prepared to remove him from the community into his own tank (minimum of 5 gallons).
Never mix your Betta with Goldfish, Gouramis, and other species that are known to be aggressive toward the Siamese Fighting Fish.
If you are successful in integrating your Betta into your community tank, sit back and enjoy this beautiful, peaceful little world.
