Best Betta Fish Tank Mates

If you are a fish hobbyist, we believe you are not only a betta lover, but your passion may extend beyond bettas. Most of the pet keepers also have a deep connection with other bottom dwellers. But they may be bothered by the question: can these betta fish live with other fish?

It’s a misconception among some betta owners that their betta fish might feel bored or sad in a solo tank. However, it’s far away from reality. In their natural habitats, bettas live in environments where it is difficult for other fish to thrive. Furthermore, they can’t go easily with other fish due to their aggressive behavior. Their natural tendency is to live alone.

But what if a fish lover wants to create a livelier environment in their betta tank? They might want to add other fish or bottom dwellers, such as invertebrates. Due to the betta’s territorial nature, it’s not as simple as adding any fish they like. Instead, only certain species can peacefully coexist with bettas. Additionally, several factors need to be considered when creating a peaceful community tank, where all the inhabitants live happily without turning the tank into a battle zone.

Stay with us until the end to learn everything about which fish can go with betta fish and the essential factors to focus on for a peaceful aquarium.

Betta’s Compatibility with Other Fish

The answer to the highly debated question of whether betta fish can live with other fish, depends mainly on the betta’s gender and individual temperament. Some bettas are extremely aggressive and won’t tolerate certain fish in their tank under any circumstances. On the other hand, there are shy, more peaceful bettas that inhabit well with other tank mates. If you place a fish with your aggressive betta, he may attack or kill it, turning your tank into a bloodbath.

You can know more about the natural behaviors of betta fish in this article.

My Personal Setup for Betta Tank Mates

My previous betta, Pisho, despite being male was tolerant and even seemed to enjoy the company of other tank mates. However, one of my current bettas, is more aggressive and can only tolerate a few invertebrates. I’ve also had female bettas who were intolerant of other tank mates, so gender alone does not guarantee peaceful behavior.

There is no universal rule for determining whether your betta can go with other fish or not. And if yes, which fish can live with him? It is up to the betta’s individual behavior. You’ll need to observe your betta’s behavior over time before introducing new tank mates. Every betta is unique; thus, it’s also advisable to monitor your betta’s behavior precisely after introducing new mates.

Betta owners may need to go through several trials to find a peaceful and compatible tank mate. A good starting point is to first test your betta’s compatibility by introducing snails or shrimp. If your betta shares the space and enjoys the company of these invertebrates, you can consider adding other peaceful fish (which we’ll discuss later in this section). Don’t start with fish at first to find a peaceful betta fish tank mate.

Important Factors to Consider

Let’s discuss the factors and requirements that are essential for creating a successful community tank.

Tank Size Considerations

The recommended tank size for a single betta fish is 5 gallons. But for a community tank, if you want to add even a single fish, the tank size considerations change too much. You should need to upgrade to at least a 10-gallon to 20-gallon tank, or even larger, depending upon the number of tank mates.

After experience with several tank mates, I recommend a minimum size of 15-gallon because adding a single mate to a betta tank may also require additional plants and other decorations. Larger tanks offer better control of tank parameters and more room for fish to find hiding places and explore territories. In smaller tanks, keeping shoaling fish with betta can be problematic as they require more room to thrive.

In betta hobby, the common rule for a community tank size is 1 gallon per inch of fish. For example, if a fish grows to 2 inches and lives in a group of five, it would need at least 10 gallons of tank for itself, plus 5 gallons for betta, making a total 15-gallon tank just enough. Yet, most community fish grow up to the size of 1-2 inches. However, for safety, I have assumed a normal fish of size 2 inches now, considering the factors and requirements that are necessary for creating a successful community tank.

Smaller Tanks Recommendations

Low financial budget or space limitations may not allow betta keepers to have a larger tank. This does not mean they can’t go for other betta fish mates. Instead, they can, but only by selecting the right mates for their bettas. In such cases, betta owners should not opt to keep shoaling fish or bigger ones in their betta tanks. Besides that, smaller tanks require an extra level of maintenance with a heavily planted setup and many hiding places.

Invertebrates like Amano shrimp and Mystery snails can be good mates for betta fish in tanks of size 10-gallon as they require less space and have lower bio-load. If you have to opt for fish, small species of dwarf corys and ember tetras may work best.

Active fish like mollies or guppies should not be kept in small tanks since they have territorial behavior, like bettas, which can result in fighting among tank inhabitants.

Most experienced aquarists successfully keep fish or invertebrates in tanks smaller than 10 gallons or sometimes 5 gallons. This is not generally good practice and should be avoided as it stresses the betta and other tank mates.

Tank Requirements

Community tanks require heavily planted setups, as this provides hiding places for betta and schooling fish, which can improve their survival chances. In such tanks, extra care is required to establish a stable environment for all the tank inhabitants.

In solo tanks, you need to maintain conditions only for your betta fish, while in community tanks, you have to consider the tank mates as well. Therefore, special expertise is required to add other fish to betta tanks because sometimes, the conflict of requirements can create problems. Ensure compatibility in terms of water conditions and diet for any fish you want to add to the betta tank. For beginners, we don’t recommend going with community tanks.

Backup Plan

Betta fish are forced by their natural instincts. Your soundless and non-violent betta may show aggression at any time, leading to a fight with other tank mates. So, always have a spare tank ready in that case to avoid a conflicting situation in community tank.

Top Betta Fish Tank Mates

1. Cory Catfish (Corydoras)

Cory catfish, also known as corydoras, are low-requirement small fish, ranging in size from less than an inch to three inches. They are non-finned, non-flashy fish that live in the middle or bottom of the tanks, making it less likely for the bettas to see them as a threat.

Cory catfish are non-aggressive, peaceful bottom dwellers that can be kept with almost any fish. Because they are smaller in size, they live in groups (at least six are recommended), so arrange a suitable tank size. The additional advantage of cory catfish is its cleaning characteristics, which include wiping the uneaten food.

Among more than 160 corydoras species, the dwarf ones are recommended to keep with bettas. Dwarf corydoras have three subspecies: pigmy corydoras, checker cory, and habrosus corydoras. Out of these, the pigmy catfish are of relatively low size, making them a good choice for smaller tanks. These catfish also have an amazing swimming style, which can give an awesome appearance to your tank.

2. Rasboras

Rasboras are small, colorful, and shoaling fish with a fast swimming pattern. Out of the 60 species, the harlequin rasboras are the most popular among fish hobbyists and widely used as a community fish. These fish grow to about 2 inches long and live in groups of six or more, requiring a suitable tank of at least 10 gallons or greater. With proper care, they can live up to 5-8 years.

I have successfully retained galaxy or chili rasboras in my betta tank. These small and peaceful rasboras display a fascinating staggered swimming pattern, which adds a stunning look to your aquarium.

3. Tetras

Tetras are small, colorful freshwater fish belonging to the family Characidae. They are popular among aquarists for their easy care, peaceful temperament, and vibrant hues. They have a high number of species, reporting more than 140, with sizes ranging from 1.5 inches long to 5 inches, which makes the tank size a considerable factor.

Bettas are carnivores, while tetras are omnivores that require a balanced diet of high-quality flakes or pellets. They also enjoy live and frozen foods like brine shrimp or daphnia. Similar to bettas, tetras prefer shallow water and like the horizontal space for swimming compared to vertical.

Among its several species, two of the tetra species are recommended to keep with betta fish.

Neon Tetras

Neon tetras are small, mid-water fish, growing to about 1.5 inches, that can go well with bettas. Their striking appearance of bright red stripes along the body makes them a beautiful addition to a community tank. These fish should be kept in groups of six or more.

With proper care, neon tetras can live for over 5 years. They prefer stable water conditions, much like bettas. Their natural diet aligns with that of bettas, as they eat flakes, freeze-dried or frozen bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp. Neon tetras thrive in soft, slightly acidic water with a temperature range of 70-81°F.

Ember Tetras

Ember tetras are slightly smaller than neon tetras, around 0.8 inches, making them a perfect choice for smaller tanks. They have a comparatively shorter lifespan of 1-4 years. Although, they are less vibrant than neon tetras, their orange to reddish color creates a glowing appearance in a heavily planted tank.

Ember tetras thrive in slightly acidic water and warmer temperatures of around 73-84°F, similar to bettas. These tetras are non-aggressive schooling fish, which makes them best companions for betta fish. They typically swim in the middle of the tank but will move to the surface to feed, just like bettas.

4. Kuhli Loaches

Kuhli loaches are worm-like, peaceful bottom dwellers that prefer to live in groups of at least 4-5. Their main characteristic is staying at the bottom and being nocturnal (mostly active at night), leading to reduced interactions with bettas.

For me, the kuhli loaches have proven the safest and most peaceful betta tank mates of all the other betta companions. They are particularly compatible with active female bettas, as the shy ones may become stressed by their nighttime activity. I have successfully kept my female plakat with 5 loaches in a 22-gallon fish tank for over 3 years.

Kuhli loaches are less-maintenance fish that feed on live foods of brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and freeze-dried tubifex worms and flakes. While keeping kuhli loaches with bettas, it’s important to use a sandy substrate, as a coarser substrate can damage their delicate bodies. I appreciate them for being scavengers, as they feed on leftover food, reducing the cleaning effort of the aquarium.

While many betta owners keep kuhli loaches in smaller tanks due to their eel-like bodies, it’s not advisable to house them in tanks smaller than 20-gallon, as they can grow up to 3-4 inches. You can also try clown loaches if kuhli loaches don’t go with your betta. However, clown loaches grow much bigger than kuhli loaches.

5. Snails

Snails are a popular addition to betta tanks, known for low temperament behavior and fascinating look. They are preferred to house with betta fish as they are efficient algae eaters, helping to keep the tank clean. I call snails natural cleaners because they feed on leftover betta food, decaying plant matter, and even some harmful bacteria, reducing waste buildup in the tank.

The unusual appearance of snails, especially their antennae, can seem strange to bettas. This may result in your betta nipping at them, so it’s often recommended to choose snails with shorter antennae for safety. Depending on your betta’s temperament, it may either ignore the snails or occasionally bump into them. Be mindful that snails can sometimes overturn if pushed onto their backs.

Snails can be prey to certain fish, such as loaches, so it’s best to avoid keeping them in community tanks with multiple bettas. Of the various snail species, two are widely favored by aquarists for keeping with bettas.

Mystery Snails

Mystery snails are great algae eaters with active and peaceful behavior. They explore the tank and wander here and there, climbing on its surface and décor items. Snails are non-shoaling bottom dwellers and can grow up to 2 inches, making them the perfect addition for 10-gallon or larger tanks. Their availability in a wide range of colors, from black to golden colors, produces a dashing appearance in betta tanks. Mystery snails prefer water conditions of high quality and stable parameters.

Nerite Snails

Nerite snails are comparatively small species of snails, having a size of around 1 inch (2.5cm). Usually, betta fish find it hard to nip at them because they have hard shells around their bodies. Their shorter antennae benefit them extra in betta hobby.

Nerite snails can’t reproduce in freshwater, which prevent their overpopulation. Betta fish share similar tank requirements of pH levels and temperature with nerite snails.

You can try adding other species of aquarium snails, such as Assassin and Ramshorn snails, to your betta tank.

6. Shrimp

Shrimps are small crustaceans with long, slender bodies, hard exoskeleton, and antennae. Their size varies depending on the species, of which there are thousands. Shrimps are omnivores, feeding on algae, plankton, and decaying plant matter. They can play a role in tank cleanup, as most species are scavengers that eat betta leftover food.

However, it’s worth noting that some bettas may attack or try to eat shrimp when they are introduced into the tank. Based on our experience, here’s the process we follow when adding shrimp to a betta tank:

1. First, we remove the betta from the tank and place it in a hospital or backup tank.
2. Then, we shuffle and rearrange the décor items, add the leafy plants, and create more hiding places to give the tank a completely new look. These hiding spots help protect the shrimp from potential betta attacks.
3. Afterward, we introduce the shrimp to the tank and leave it undisturbed for a day or two so it can adjust to its new environment.
4. Finally, we reintroduce the betta and turn off the aquarium lights for a day so that he feels like he is in totally new conditions.

This method of adding shrimp has proven to be the most effective in creating a peaceful tank environment for bettas and shrimp.

Among the many shrimp species, Amano shrimp and Cherry shrimp are particularly popular among aquarium enthusiasts. Some species that tend to coexist more peacefully with bettas are listed below.

Amano Shrimp

Amano shrimp, being larger in size (around 1.5 to 2 inches), do well with betta fish as they are less likely to be targeted by the fish. However, its larger size puts you at the extra cost of comparatively bigger tanks.

Ghost Shrimp

Ghost shrimp can be a good companion to your betta by testing it for multiple trials as they are cheap in price and easily available. Being comparatively smaller in size (1 to 1.5 inches) than amano shrimp, they may be hunted by bettas. However, its transparent look prevents them from being seen clearly by betta fish. Ensure a good number of hiding places if you’re considering ghost shrimp to put with betta fish.

Other shrimp species, such as Neocaridina and Red cherry shrimp, are also known to be best betta tank mates.

7. African Dwarf Frogs

These are peaceful, low-maintenance tank mates that tend to stick to the bottom of the tank. African dwarf frogs can cohabit well with bettas as long as there are hiding spaces. Since these creatures have no resemblance to betta and also have larger sizes, so bettas coexist calmly with them.

The only conflict African dwarf frogs have with bettas is in their feeding procedure. Bettas are surface feeders, while these frogs remain most of the time at the bottom and come only to the surface to breathe air. When you drop food in a tank for frogs, bettas will grab it before reaching the bottom. So, you should feed them their food, such as brine shrimp and bloodworms, with a snippet.

8. Clown Plecos

Clown Plecos are highly compatible with betta fish as they are usually ignored by bettas. They are found in a wide range of sizes, so it’s advisable to add only small species of plecos to betta fish. Common plecos and larger species are semi-aggressive and can get quite bigger in size than betta fish, which can lead to creating a violent environment.

Clown plecos are dwarf species that usually come in dark brown and black colors with yellow or white strip coloration that mimic the natural environment for betta.

9. Otocinclus

Otocinclus, or Otos for short, are small algae-eaters that thrive in groups and can be a great addition to betta tanks. They don’t compete with the betta as they swim in different areas of the tank. I have kept five otos with my male betta fish, and they offer a calm and peaceful display in the tank.

Fish to Avoid with Bettas

Betta fish considers themselves as the king of their territory. They cannot coexist with fish that appear similar to them. This is why male bettas won’t tolerate another male betta in the same tank. If you introduce a fish that resembles a betta, it may provoke an attack, and the betta could even kill it. To avoid conflicts, it’s best to steer clear of any fish with long fins or aggressive behavior that may resemble a betta.

Below is a list of common fish that should not be kept with bettas. Upon our testament, we have observed that betta fish show unusual behavior whenever we add these species to the betta tank.

1. Cichlids

Most cichlids are territorial and aggressive, similar to bettas, which can lead to the fights when introduced into the same tank.

2. Gourami

Betta fish belong to the gourami family, and other fish in this family look similar to bettas. As a result, they tend to see each other as rivals and may become aggressive.

3. Goldfish

Goldfish are cold-water fish and require different water parameters, making them unsuitable tank mates for bettas.

4. Guppies

Male guppies have long, colorful fins and flashy bodies, which resemble male bettas. This similarity can cause bettas to mistake them for rivals, leading to aggression.

5. Angelfish

Like guppies, angelfish have long, flowing fins that resemble those of bettas, which can result in conflict between the two species.

6. Some Species of Tetras

While neon and ember tetras can coexist with bettas, certain species such as black skirt tetras, serpae tetras and red-tailed sharks are fin-nippers and may bite at the betta’s flowing fins.

Oscars and Tiger Barbs are other bottom dwellers that generally don’t get along well with bettas.

Female Betta Tank Mates

Female betta fish can coexist with a variety of tank mates in a community tank due to their non-aggressive behavior. They can live peacefully with others male or female bettas, as well as bottom dwellers like those mentioned above. Other fish that are compatible with female bettas are Otocinclus catfish, Endler’s livebearers, and female Cherry barbs.

Female bettas also do very well in sorority tanks, an aquarium setup specially designed for a group of female betta fish. However, a serenity tank with multiple female bettas or other fish should be larger, especially if you plan to add schooling fish.

Keep in mind that female bettas can still show aggression or temperament, depending on the individual fish. It’s a good idea to monitor your betta’s behavior when adding new tank mates for the first time. This will help you stay aware of any potential aggressive reactions towards her tank mates.

Quick Guide Related to Betta Fish Mates

Tank Mate	Description	Compatibility	Tank Size
Cory Catfish	Wipe uneaten food, grow up to 1-3 inches	Highly compatible, prefer groups of 6+	Tank size of 10 to 15-G
Rasboras	Colorful shoaling fish, grow up to 2 inches	Compatible if kept in groups of 6+	At least a 10-G tank.
Neon Tetras	Mid-water swimmers, grow to 1.5 inches	Compatible in groups of 6+	Preferable 20-G
Ember Tetras	Small fish, grow to about 0.8 inches	Highly compatible	Best for 10-G or smaller
Kuhli Loaches	Worm-like, nocturnal, Grow up to 3-4 inches	Compatible with active bettas	Need at least 20-G tank
Mystery Snails	Active, peaceful snails, grow up to 2 inches	Highly compatible	Greater than 15-G
Nerite Snails	Small snails with hard shells, size 1/4 to 1 inch	Highly compatible	10-G or greater
Amano Shrimp	Larger shrimp species, grow to 1.5-2 inches.	Compatible but targeted by aggressive bettas	Require larger tanks
Ghost Shrimp	Transparent, small shrimp.	Moderately compatible, can be hunted by bettas	10 to 15-G tank
African Dwarf Frogs	Peaceful bottom dwellers. Need access to the surface for breathing.	Compatible if hiding spaces are provided	10-G is ok for one frog
Clown Plecos	Dark-colored with striped patterns.	Highly compatible	15-G is recommended
Otocinclus (Otos)	Small, peaceful algae eaters.	Compatible in groups	20-G if otos are 4
Fish to Avoid	Cichlids, Gourami, Goldfish, Guppies etc.	Not compatible due to fin-nipping or aggressive behavior	NIL
Female Betta Tank Mates	Otocinclus, female Cherry Barbs etc.	Compatible at all	Depending upon bettas

Final Thoughts on Betta Fish Tank Mates

A betta owner has many options when it comes to choosing tank mates, which can be confusing, especially for the newbies in the hobby. The selection of betta fish tank mates can vary depending upon your personal preferences and availability of certain species. The key rule to remember is that each betta behaves differently.

It’s always a good idea to start with inexpensive species and experiment with different trials when selecting perfect betta fish tank mates. Research the care requirements of each potential tank mate to ensure compatibility with your personal betta. If your betta shows aggression or doesn’t get along with a particular mate, consider selling or rehoming that and trying another easily available option. If your betta is not going to adjust with another fish or organism, it’s best to keep it in a solo tank for its well-being.

Best of luck with your betta hobby journey!