10-Gallon Betta Fish Tank

Is a 10-Gallon Tank Big Enough for a Betta?

When you are struggling to provide the best care to your betta fish, the tank size becomes an unignorable factor. The larger the tank you buy, the closer you get to the ideal size. While a 5-gallon tank is the minimum recommended, a 10-gallon is far better in terms of betta care, such as maintenance, stable water conditions, more enriched environment, cleaning and cycling the tank. With a proper setup of a 10-gallon betta tank, the betta will enjoy the extra space for swimming and exploring.

We can’t declare any single-size tank as the ideal one. However, a 10-gallon is quite big enough for a single betta fish with short fins, such as plakats or king bettas.

For a better understanding of tank size, don’t miss to read our in-depth article about 5-gallon betta tank.

Will Bettas Use All the Space in a 10-Gallon Tank?

It’s not more than a mere misbelief that bettas occupy only a small amount of space. All the betta fish we’ve ever kept in a 10-gallon tank, surround the entire tank and swim all over the tank. Bettas are curious and exploratory fish, making full use of the space. They wander here and there and use every inch of the tank. However, you must utilize the tank space by adding live plants and decorations so that bettas find resting places for them. This will let them enjoy a livelier and healthier tank environment.

A Common Myth

One of the most common misconceptions of betta owners is that their betta has to struggle to breathe at the surface in larger tanks. But in reality, the betta does not find it hard to go to the tank surface in a tank of size 10-gallon to 30-gallon. If you opt for a short-finned betta, he will surely enjoy the enriched environment of the tank.

However, bettas with long, heavy fins like halfmoons might have difficulty swimming. The general advice is to have wider tanks than taller ones to help betta overcome this challenge. The wider tanks empower plant growth and offer enough space for tank accessories.

Best Tank Mates for a 10-Gallon Betta Tank

Some betta owners consider the 10-gallon tank too big that they start adding the betta mates, making them overcrowded. This tank is considered only adequate for a single betta. We recommend adding mates in a tank of 15-gallon or larger than this.

It is helpful advice for newbies to avoid going with any tank mate at the start of their fish hobby. However, if someone has experience in betta care and is skilled in the maintenance of the tank, there are options for tank mates if he has a keen devotion to other fish or invertebrates.

Before adding tank mates to a 10-gallon betta tank, you should understand the behavior of your betta, its temperament, and its compatibility with other fish. Aggressive bettas with angry tempers cannot go easy with other bottom dwellers.

You should also study the behavior of the tank mate to be added to your betta aquarium to know whether it matches the requirements of the betta fish. Hopefully, you’ll have ensured ample hiding places and resting parts after adding any other fish, which will help you escape the stress. This will help you in creating a peaceful community tank.

1. Snails

One of the safest options for a betta tank mate is snails. Bettas tend to coexist peacefully with both species of snails, mystery snails and nerite snails. However, for a 10-gallon tank, nerite snails are considered the best because they are smaller and difficult for bettas to nip at them.

Additionally, these species of snails are known for their low maintenance, minimal bioload to the tank, and won’t cause stress to the betta. Bettas may become frightened or nervous at the start; however, once adjusted, they will completely ignore the snails.

2. Shrimp (with caution)

Some shrimp, like Amano shrimp or Ghost shrimp, can be great companions in a betta tank. Amano shrimps, in particular, are larger and hardy, making them better mates for tanks larger than 10-gallon. The other ones, ghost shrimps, are considered ideal for a 10-gallon tank because of their comparatively more petite size. But you’ll need to be cautious while adding them to the tank, as bettas might hunt at them and eat them.

3. Otocinclus Catfish (Otos)

Most betta owners consider Otocinclus catfish a good betta tank mate for their smaller size, peaceful behavior, and tank cleaning characteristics. However, we don’t think these creatures are acceptable due to their shoaling behavior, as they thrive in groups of 4-6. Despite this thinkable factor, they can be a beautiful addition to your tank if you are struggling with algae eradication.

Tankmates to Avoid

It’s advised to avoid any bottom dweller that can stress the betta. Also, don’t go for fast-swimming or fin-nipping species such as cichlids and certain species of tetras. Fish that resemble bettas in appearance or behavior, like mollies, guppies, dwarf plecos and other fish of the gourami family, need to be avoided.

You should also not add the schooling fish that thrive in larger groups like chili rasboras in a 10-gallon tank as it might lead to overcrowding the tank. Your small recklessness in selecting betta fish mates can turn the tank into a bloodbath.

Importance of Live Plants in 10-Gallon Tank

No one can deny the importance of live plants in betta fish tanks. Adding plants in betta aquariums is essential for many reasons. They not only contribute to the beauty of the tank but also help maintain a healthier environment. 10-gallon tanks are an excellent option for almost any betta aquarium plant. If you have opted for wider tanks, and added the tank mates, you can consider keeping floating plants in the tank.

Submerged plants can help with water filtration by absorbing excess nutrients, and floating plants, in particular, can create a more shaded environment, which bettas appreciate. I have successfully grown the Anubias Nana and Java Fern as submerged plants and red root floaters as floating plants in my 10-gallon fish tank, which contains one single betta and a few nerite snails.

10-Gallon Betta Tank Setup

While creating a healthier and thriving environment for your betta fish, it’s not only the tank size that needs attention; a proper tank setup plays a key role. There is our separate guideline on betta fish tank setup, in which, though we have shared our 5-gallon tank setup, the fundamental process of setting is almost the same for any size tank. The only difference lies in the size of tank equipment, such as plants, filters, lights, heaters, and decorations. But these things come with versatile options regarding tank size, so you should not worry while buying them.

Best 10-Gallon Betta Fish Tanks

1.      10 Gallon Ultra Clear Glass Fish Tank

2.      Glofish 10 Gallon Aquarium Fish Tank Kits

3.      Marina LED Aquarium Kit, 10 gallon

Recommendation

We declare this 10-gallon Marina tank a valuable investment for betta owners, especially for beginners. We have tested its all operations and it proves too good in providing filtration, lighting, and essential extras for setup. However, the tank needs care attention about weight and you must arrange a stable stand in advance.

Be aware of quality issues like leaks, and in future you might consider getting a better thermometer. If you’re looking for a starter tank that comes with many helpful features, don’t hesitate in buying this serviceable piece.

Equipment Recommendations for a 10-Gallon Betta Tank

Most starter kits come with all essential equipment already built in. These starter kits are budget-friendly options because you’ll not need to purchase accessories like filters and lighting separately. While convenient, these pieces can become damaged or malfunction over time, or they might not suit your betta needs or personal preferences.

You should buy these things separately to create a more booming environment. We have a separate guide on each of these tank essentials covering its wide consideration that will help you in a more meaningful way.

For filters, dive deeper into our detailed article about betta fish filters.

Find out more about heaters in our comprehensive piece on betta fish heaters.

For aquarium lights, check out our article on do betta fish need a light.