In this post, we will answer the question “What are the greatest betta fish tank companions?”. We will also discuss some of their characteristics and specificities.
What are the best betta fish tank mates for your betta fish?
Some of the best betta fish tank mates are Kuhli loaches, ember tetras, harlequin rasboras, cory catfish, and some snails.
Under the correct circumstances, many betta fish tank mates or companions can coexist with male or female bettas. This is referred to as a community tank, and it can hold more than two species.
Aggression in Betta Fish: Is It Born, Bred, or Both?
Betta fish are territorial by nature, and if they come into touch with other males in the wild, they will almost always respond violently against them. Due to the abundance of places to run and hide in their natural habitats of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam’s canals and rice paddies, fighting is not always necessary for the less dominant bettas.
Fighting between two powerful bettas, on the other hand, may be both cruel and entertaining for certain people in the nineteenth century. Betta fighting became such a popular pastime in some areas that people began breeding the fish to make them even more violent, which led to the extinction of the species.
Tank Dimensions
Betta fish require a habitat of at least 5 gallons of water to survive. The introduction of certain tank mates begins to distract from the required environment. Without the addition of a betta, some buddies will require more than 5 gallons to flourish.
Increased cohabitants imply a higher bioload or the number of people generating garbage. When waste decomposes, it releases pollutants such as ammonia, which can raise the pH of your tank’s water.It is possible that your fish will develop unwell as a result of this. As a result, a filter is required for a communal tank.
Snails
Snails don’t get nearly enough credit for their coolness. Mystery snails are an excellent addition to any aquarium since they eat uneaten food and clean up algae, which helps to keep the aquarium clean. Furthermore, unlike certain snails, they do not reproduce asexually, which can lead to an invasion.
Snails are safe for plants and get along nicely with bettas because of their gentle nature. A betta may be intrigued about a mystery snail or even nibble at it, but they have a hard shell that they can escape within if necessary. Adults can reach a size of roughly 2 inches and have a one-year lifetime. You’ll have a good time watching them cruise about the tank, sucking in surface air through their siphon and letting their tentacles meander around.
Shrimp
The ghost shrimp, sometimes known as the glass shrimp, is an invertebrate with a transparent appearance. Without a close inspection, ghost shrimp are nearly undetectable in tanks. They’re excellent betta fish mates. It’s best to introduce them in groups of 2-4, with 6 or more indicating the possibility of reproducing.
Ghost shrimp are easy to care for, inexpensive, and scavengers who will comb your tank for leftover food to eat from the substrate. Ghost shrimp are also known as ghost shrimp. With careful care, they can reach a length of 1.5 inches and live for 1 to 1.5 years. These translucent animals are fascinating to observe, and they enjoy moss balls and other live plants, as well as keeping your tank clean.
Feeder guppies lack the beautiful colours and long fins of the fancy guppy and are bred for food for larger fish. This makes them an excellent fish to keep alongside a betta. Guppies are also satisfied to live on their own, making it easier to introduce one as a tank mate than schooling fish.
Fishers’ guppies, which are hardy fish because they inhabit the same pH and temperature range as feeder guppies, are also hardy. Because of their peaceful demeanor, you won’t have to be concerned about them biting your betta.
Cory catfish
Betta community aquariums with corydoras (cory/cories) catfish make for fantastic additions to any collection of bettas. They are easy to maintain for and do well in the same water as bettas, which is ideal. Because they eat on the tank’s bottom, corydoras can be found living alone or in groups of four or more, depending on the size of your aquarium. They are between 1.0 and 2.5 inches long.
Cory catfish have a lifespan of 2-3 years in captivity and have a non-aggressive demeanour. This makes them an excellent betta fish partner. They are generally quite active and can live up to a tank in size. To be more cautious, look for pygmy corydoras, which have a duller tint and grow to only 1 inch in length if you want to be extra cautious.
Harlequin rasboras
The rasbora is a shoaling fish that loves to dwell in a group of five to six other fish in order to avoid being stressed. When kept in a tank of at least 10 gallons in size, they are great tank companions for betta fish. As a result, they will have enough of space to do the tasks they have set out for themselves. Rasboras, like bettas, are big fans of brine shrimp.
If you decide to put your betta in a tank with a harlequin rasbora, you should know that rasboras grow to be around 1.5 inches long and survive for about 5 years on average. This species is also quite peaceful, which adds to the betta splenden’s ability to coexist.
Dwarf frogs
African dwarf frogs, with their calm demeanour, make ideal betta tank companions. They’re also quite simple to look after. Dwarf frogs can reach a length of 2.5 inches and live for an average of 5 years. It is preferable to have at least two males in each tank because males are somewhat smaller than females in this species.
They have a lot of energy and are interested in exploring their surroundings. Because frogs have lungs rather than gills, they must come to the surface to breathe. With luck, you’ll be able to witness them shed their skin (which occurs every 1-2 weeks), which is a simple operation that the frog consumes.
Neon tetras
Even though it is recommended that betta fish owners avoid tank mates with bright colours, the neon tetra can get along with betta fish due to their speed. Neon tetras prefer to school in groups of six to ten, so you’ll need more than one in your community tank. For plenty of horizontal swimming rooms, a long narrow tank is recommended.
In captivity, they have a 5-year lifespan and can grow up to 4 cm in length. During prolonged periods of darkness, their red stripe may fade or vanish completely. Neon tetras are fascinating to observe as they swim in groups and navigate around the tank in search of food or safety from predators. Neon tetras, like bettas, prefer highly planted tanks with lots of hiding spots.
Ember tetras
Embers are a different tetra species that will even school with neon tetras. They reach a length of just under an inch and need to be schooled in groups of 4-6 tetras. They prefer thickly planted tanks and delectable brine shrimp, just like betta fish.
They’ll bring years of enjoyment to a communal tank, with average lifespans of roughly 4 years. They prefer the middle of a tank to betta fish’s upper half, which helps with compatibility and territorial difficulties. However, they are both surface feeders.
Clown plecos
Clown plecos are another algae eater that may be housed alongside bettas in the same tank. However, keep an eye out for the Common Pleco, which may reach up to two feet in length! The Clown Pleco is a diminutive member of the species with a maximum length of roughly 4 inches, making it an ideal tank partner.
It’s a durable and easy-to-care-for fish with a 10-year average lifespan in captivity. They enjoy exploring and have thick skin in case a betta fish becomes curious.
Kuhli Loach
Because of its easy-going demeanour, the Kuhli Loach is another fascinating fish that may live with a betta. The shape of these creatures is long and eel-like, and they like to hide in little cracks. Kuhli loaches are docile and require at least 20 gallons of water to survive. They eat brine shrimp and are not aggressive.
Other loaches, such as the clown loach, can grow to be over a foot long, so stay away from this one! If your substrate is sand, loaches may tunnel deep into it.
Conclusion
In this post, we answered the question “What are the greatest betta fish tank companions?”. We also discussed some of their characteristics and specificities.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know in the comments section below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What are the greatest betta fish tank companions?
How do I choose the most appropriate fish to have in a tank with my betta?
Fish that live in the lower layers of the aquarium, such as little loaches and catfish, make excellent tank mates for your 10-gallon tank. Non-fish occupants such as snails, prawns, and frogs would also do well in this size aquarium.
Can I have 2 female bettas together?
Female betta fish, unlike male betta fish, may coexist peacefully in the same tank. A sorority is a group of women who live in close proximity to one another. A good number of female betta fish to keep together is 4-6.
Do betta fish get lonely?
Betta fish are possessive by nature, and they should not be kept in the same tank as other betta fish since they will fight and injure one another, sometimes resulting in death. They are unlikely to become lonely in their tank, although they may become bored if it is too tiny.
Can I put guppies with a betta?
The vividly coloured male guppies with flowing tails are the ones to look for. Both of these characteristics cause bettas to become aggressive and territorial. Combining a male guppy and a male betta is a recipe for disaster, and your guppies will almost certainly perish.
Can I put a female betta with a male?
Yes, but only for a brief period. Male and female bettas may cohabit in the same tank, but there are a few things to consider before placing them in the same tank and leaving them alone for an extended period of time.
Do betta fish want friends?
Bettas don’t require companionship. They are lonely fish who want to be by themselves. They won’t appreciate being around other fish, but they might be able to coexist peacefully with them.
References
Best Betta Fish Tank Mates- https://be.chewy.com/best-betta-fish-tank-mates/
Best Betta Tank Mates: Can Bettas Live With Others? – https://modestfish.com/best-betta-tank-mates/
