In this post, we will answer the question “Can harlequin rasboras and betta fish live together?”. We will also discuss some of the harlequin rasbora specificities and the different types of rasboras with betta fish.
Can harlequin rasbora and betta live together?
Yes, harlequin rasboras and bettas coexist together. This means that they have similar requirements and enjoy identical water conditions range, like pH and water temperature.
There are several types of Rasbora you can opt to have with your betta fish. Few of them are going to live peacefully with your betta fish more than others.
Harlequin rasbora and betta fish
One of the most common varieties of rasbora is the harlequin rasbora. They are particularly good for novices because they are quite hardy. Additionally, they look awesome and, in general, even more, experienced aquarists chose to keep them. In their natural habitat, harlequin rasboras may grow up to 2 inches in length and survive for up to 6 years.
The water conditions that they require are quite similar to those required by bettas. They need a pH between 6 and 7.5, betta fish require 7.0, and water temperatures between 73 and 82 °F, betta fish enjoy 78°F.
Regarding diet, you should feed your Harlequin Rasboras a diversity of meat and vegetables. They are omnivores which means they are not picky eaters. You can use flakes, dried, frozen, and live food items.
It is also fundamental to know that harlequin rasboras are schooling fish. As a result, they are required to travel in groups of at least 8 people.
Will betta fish and harlequin rasboras get along well together?
Many betta owners are concerned about their betta attacking other fish in a communal aquarium, which is a typical source of concern.
If you maintain harlequin rasboras beside your betta fish, the odds of their being attacked are virtually non-existent. Rasboras are extremely rapid swimmers while betta fish are slow. Thus, even if your betta fish try to chase and attack your rasboras, the chances are also very low.
Other rasboras and betta fish
Mosquito/Chilli rasbora and betta fish
Chilli Rasboras are substantially smaller in size, barely reaching a maximum of 0.8 inches in length. However, even though they are not the largest fish they will live for an extended time, up to 4 years.
Mosquito rasboras are schooling fish too, so you will need to have a group of at least 8 or 10 other rasboras. Due to this, you will be required appropriate tank size. A 15-gallon tank should be the minimum. However, we recommend going with a 20-gallon tank.
What you should feed Chilli Rasboras is similar to what you should feed Bettas. Because they are omnivores, make sure they have a well-balanced diet. All of these options are excellent: frozen, dry, flakes, and live food. And, due to their modest size, your meal will travel much further.
You should also provide plenty of hiding spots for Chilli Rasboras. To keep your plants and ornaments as secure as possible, you will need to fill your tank with them. Bettas will eat anything that can fit in their mouth, which unfortunately includes chilli rasboras, which are a delicacy in Mexico.
Scissortail rasbora and betta
If you’re looking for a huge Rasbora, go no further than scissor-tailed Rasboras. They can reach a length of 3.5 inches and survive for 5 years. Because of their great size and the fact that they must be housed in shoals of at least six, you will need at least a 20-gallon tank. Bigger, on the other hand, is usually better.
Scissortail Rasboras are an excellent choice if you have a large enough tank. Due to their dimensions, you won’t have to be concerned about them being eaten by your betta, and they won’t be afraid by your betta, as well.
When housing Scissortail Rasboras, keep the tank temperature between 73 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit and the pH between 6.6 and 7 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you are a beginner fish keeper, though, Scissortails should be avoided. They are harder to maintain than other species, and they necessitate good water quality in order to survive. In order to limit the likelihood of their being unwell, you should try to keep the water in your aquarium as close to the water they came in with as possible. You should also try to acclimate them for as long as possible before adding them to your tank because they require similar water conditions.
When keeping Scissortail Rasboras alongside bettas, one difficulty that may arise is the filtering system. Bettas prefer not to swim since they are not strong swimmers.
You will also need the appropriate decorations once your Scissortail has acclimated to the tank. They will adore java moss and driftwood, just like your betta. They will, however, adapt to practically any tank decoration.
Finally, when it comes to diet, make sure you provide your Scissortail with a well-balanced diet. While the majority of their diet should be insect-based (like in the nature), they should also be able to eat certain plant-based foods as well. Frozen, live, dried, and flakes are all suitable substitutes for the freshest available.
Lamb Chop rasbora and betta fish
Lambchop Rasboras, often known as “Espe’s” Rasbora, are another excellent option. They can reach a length of 1.2 inches and survive for 3-5 years. As a result, once you get them, they will be a lifelong companion for your betta.
If you want to keep lamb chomp rasboras, you will need to keep a larger tank. Because they need to be maintained in a group of at least eight people, this will lessen their tension and keep them safe from your betta.
While they will not assault your betta, the size of their school will dissuade them from doing so. While you may see that they fight between themselves, this fighting rarely results in any form of injury. As they compete for the interest of any female rasbora in the aquarium, the males will become considerably more colourful as a result of their increased activity.
If you wish to keep Lambchop Rasboras, make sure your tank’s pH is between 6 and 7 and the temperature is between 73 and 80 °F. These values are also within the range of what is required for bettas to survive.
You should also know that Lambchop Rasboras require slightly more food than Bettas. The recommended feeding schedule is for three minutes each time, three times a day. If you are concerned about your betta eating the food, attempt to separate them or use a net to isolate your betta during feeding.
Conclusion
In this post, we answered the question “Can harlequin rasboras and betta fish live together?”. We also discussed some of the harlequin rasbora specificities and the different types of rasboras with betta fish.
If you have any thoughts or doubts, feel free to drop us a comment below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Can harlequin rasboras and betta live together?
Are Harlequin rasboras fin nippers?
Rasboras are lightning-fast swimmers, but bettas are sluggish. However, while it is uncommon, some Harlequin Rasboras may attempt to nibble your betta’s fins.
Are Harlequin rasboras aggressive?
Each time they nip at one another, it is only a small nip and it does not happen very often. They never act aggressively towards other fish.
What fish can live with Harlequin rasboras?
Any fish, as long as it is not huge and predatory, may coexist peacefully with harlequins. It will not nip or argue with any other species, regardless of the situation. Fish that could make suitable tankmates include cardinal tetras, betta fish, neon betta fish, small barbs, dwarf gouramis, danio fish, other small rasboras, and cory catfish, among others.
How many harlequin rasboras do I need to purchase?
In order to ensure the safety of your Harlequin Rasboras, it is usually recommended that you keep a group of 8 to 10 together. Some aquarists have had success with smaller groups of fish or even bonded couples of fish in their tanks. However, these are shoaling fish, which means they thrive when they are in a huge group.
Can ember tetras live with betta fish?
Betta fish make good tank mates for Ember Tetras, which are a kind of Tetra. In addition, both species of fish require similar water conditions, such as a similar tank set up, and will consume the same types of foods. Aquarium inhabitants such as Ember Tetras and a Betta will keep the aquarium lively and colourful.
Is it true that rasboras lay eggs?
Yes, rasboras are known to deposit eggs. Rasboras are not livebearers, they are not pregnant, and they are never officially pregnant in the first place. A fish that is carrying eggs is referred to as being pregnant.
References
Kottelat, M. and K.E. Witte, 1999. Two new Microrasbora species from Thailand and Myanmar, with two new generic names for Southeast Asian small cyprinid fish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). J. South Asian Nat. Hist.
Lim, K.K.P. and P.K.L. Ng, 1990. Singapore’s freshwater fish. Singapore Science Centre, Singapore.
Monkolprasit, S., S. Sontirat, S. Vimollohakarn and T. Songsirikul, 1997. Checklist of Fishes in Thailand. Office of Environmental Policy and Planning, Bangkok, Thailand.
