In this article we will discuss blue and red betta fish.We will also discuss their relationship and other tank parameters which are suitable for them to survive together in aquarium settings.
Overview
In this blog
- Can blue and red betta fish live together?
- Key specifications of blue and red betta fish
- Where are blue and red betta fish found?
- How long do blue and red betta fish live?
- What tank size do blue and red betta fish need?
- Are blue and red betta fish aggressive in nature?
- What do blue and red betta fish eat?
- Are water parameters the same for blue and red betta fish in aquarium conditions?
- Do blue and red betta fish need the same aquarium plants in their tanks?
- Do blue and red betta fish need the same light intensity in their tanks?
- Do blue and red betta fish need similar substrates in their tank?
- Is it easy to care for blue and red betta fish together in the same aquariums?
- Are blue and red betta fish both perfect community fish?
- Are blue and red betta fish beginner friendly or for experienced aquarists?
- Can blue and red betta fish live in the same aquariums?
- Summary
- Frequently asked questions
- Reference
Can blue and red betta fish live together?
Red betta fish are more aggressive towards each other and towards blue fish. Blue bettas are more docile, while red bettas are dominant.
So it would be better to never keep them together in similar tanks.And don’t think of keeping red and blue males bettas together.This will create chaos in the tank, because all they will do is fight with each other,until one dies.
Red and blue female bettas can tolerate each other to some extent but, it would be better to think wisely before keeping different color variants together.
Key specifications of blue and red betta fish
| Scientific name | Betta splendensBetta coccina ( red betta fish ) |
| Other names | Siamese fighting fish/blue betta and red betta fish (fighter) |
| Habitat | Freshwater of Southeast Asia |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Temperament | Aggressive like their cousins |
| Life span | Between 3-5 years |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable (wild, especially red betta)Captivity (data deficient) |
Where are blue and red betta fish found?
Both blue and red bettas are cousins to Betta splendens,which is native to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam where they live in ditches, paddy fields, shallow pools, and slow-flowing streams.
Very little is known about wild blue and red betta fish.They both are captive raised for their beautiful colors.The IUCN classifies the red betta fish as vulnerable species due to its limited range and declining numbers.
The main threats are logging ,non-timber agriculture and overfishing for the pet trade.However, red bettas are relatively easy to breed in captivity.
How long do blue and red betta fish live?
Blue and red betta fish like their cousins live on average up to 2-4 years old.The longevity of betta fish is directly related to the environment in which they are raised.
Maintaining a clean aquarium and observing their diet and health conditions can extend the life of the fish.Bettas lifespan depends on their genetics too.
If possible get your blue and red bettas from right breeders who are aware of their genetics i.e healthy lines and breeding.
What tank size do blue and red betta fish need?
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that blue and red bettas can live happily in small fish bowls.The minimum tank size for bettas is at least 10 gallons, but this is the bare minimum.
The more the better.Minimum aquarium size for a single blue or red betta fish is three gallons.Additional aquarium size for each fully grown blue or red betta bettas is one gallons.
Ideal aquarium size for single blue or red male or female betta is five gallons.Tank screen tops, plenty of hiding spots or covers and lots of swimming spaces would keep bettas happy and healthy and will maintain bettas natural growth and development.
Are blue and red betta fish aggressive in nature?
Betta works well in captivity,their aggression and vibrant colors that many find interesting help make this species popular as a pet around the world.
In the wild, bettas fight may last only 15 minutes, but Thai people bred bettas that can fight for hours.
Blue and red bettas are bred primarily for combat rather than as ornamental fish.
Male red blue and blue bettas are particularly aggressive and tend to attack each other when kept in the same aquarium.If there is no way to escape, this usually results in the death of one or both of the fish.
Red and blue betta fish also flare and they do it to protect its territory and during mating from competing male bettas by looking bigger.
Multiple red and blue female bettas can be kept together, because they are not that aggressive like red and blue male bettas.
What do blue and red betta fish eat?
Both red and blue betta like their wild cousins are carnivores but in aquarium conditions they have been trained to have a variety of food and become omnivores.
They both mainly eat on the surface of the water with its mouth facing up. A good diet consists of dried worms,brine shrimp or daphnia pulex.
Special bettas foods or pellets are available commercially and are ideal because they combine all three foods in addition to vitamins and minerals.
Being a carnivore, protein should be included in their diets without fail to maintain their finnage coloration & healthy body for good longevity.
Are water parameters the same for blue and red betta fish in aquarium conditions?
If you want to keep an aquarium animal, you must first check the ideal water parameters.
The same goes for the red and blue bettas too.Hot aquarium water is uncomfortable for both red and blue bettas like their wild cousins and such hot water conditions can age them quickly by increasing their metabolism.
The aquarium water temperature should be maintained with a heater.water parameters for red and blue bettas:
- All bettas including wild and color variants prefer calm water in their aquariums.
- Aquarium water pH- 6.8-7 (almost neutral)
- Aquarium water Temperature-75F-80F (moderate temperature)
- Ammonia and nitrite levels-very very low (toxic for bettas)
- Ammonia and Nitrite levels: 0 ppm.
- Nitrate levels: <20 ppm.
- General hardness: 3-4 dGH (50-66.7 ppm)
- Potassium hydride hardness: 3-5 dKH (53.6- 89.4 ppm)
- Water changes should be done either weekly/biweekly to remove organic pollutants and keep the levels of ammonia, nitrite & nitrates in check.
Do blue and red betta fish need the same aquarium plants in their tanks?
Common tank plants for red and blue bettas:
- Java fern
- Anubias
- Duckweed.
- Amazon frogbit.
- Salvinia minima/Water spangles
- Marimo moss ball
- Cryptocoryne
- Water sprite
- Betta bulb
- Sword plant
- Vallisneria.
These plants will act as covers and help them to conceal when they feel threatened and even help during breeding time.
Make sure to keep the plants healthy by providing light and proper trimming from time to time, else they will start rotting in the tanks and disturb the water chemistry.
Do blue and red betta fish need the same light intensity in their tanks?
Red and blue bettas like their wild cousins need to be exposed to light for about 14-16 hours(minimum) in 24 hours to maintain their circadian rhythm.
They need light to differentiate between day and night so aquarium lights and indirect sunlight is important in their tanks.If you are adding live plants then to keep those plants healthy indirect sunlight for some hours is important.
Make sure to keep them aways from direct sunlight as this will increase algal growths in their tanks and also avoid too many bright lights as it can stress them.
Best Clip-on light for color variants of betta fish:
- Finnex fugeray planted and aquarium LED light plus moonlights, cliplight.
- Hygger clip on 24/7 lighting aquarium LED light, 14W.
- Tetra color fusion LED light.
Do blue and red betta fish need similar substrates in their tank?
Substrate doesn’t really matter in red and blue bettas tanks as they don’t interact with the bottom much, but gravel is generally the most common substrate for aquariums and is ideal for all bettas aquariums and gives a natural appearance and replicates its natural environment.
Gravel is useful because it easily stabilizes plants and produces more beneficial bacteria.Coral sand and marble shards should be avoided and absolutely any substrate you find in the wild should be avoided.
Is it easy to care for blue and red betta fish together in the same aquariums?
It would be better to not house both blue and red bettas together, as red bettas are more aggressive than blue bettas, and males, in particular, should be avoided at all costs.
Keeping non-compatible tank mates can stress them and will result in fights and various infections due to injury.
It is better to keep them in different tanks, or you can monitor them daily to see how they get along with each other.
Are blue and red betta fish both perfect community fish?
Bettas are not community fish be it red or blue bettas, female bettas can still cooperate with other species and other female bettas but male bettas are not fit for community tanks, they are best kept alone with themselves.
Are blue and red betta fish beginner friendly or for experienced aquarists?
Both red and blue bettas can be handled by both experienced and new betta enthusiasts.
All they should do is maintain pristin water condition, choose their tank mates wisely, feed them proteinaceous and color enhancers to maintain their finnage colors and do proper water changes to avoid ammonia pollution.
If you can do all the above mentioned things your bettas can live for 3 years nicely.
Summary
- Red bettas are more dominant and aggressive than blue bettas.
- Blue bettas are docile and less aggressive than red bettas.
- Both red and blue bettas are aggressive but blue bettas are not that aggressive.
- Both red and blue bettas have similar requirements like their wild cousins.
- It is advised to not keep red and blue male bettas together in the same aquarium,as they both can attack each other to death.
Frequently asked questions
What triggers aggression in red and blue male betta fish?
Both red and blue male betta fish like their cousins fight to establish an area that includes food resources, shelter, and access to females.
What are the different color variations of red betta fish?
Red betta fish is named because of its attractive colors.There is a wide range of color variations in red betta fish from brown to scarlet red.
What do healthy red bettas fish look like?
A healthy red betta look brightly colored and show off bright shine on their scales.
