Betta fish are colorful fishes that can make any tank or aquarium look great. This guide will help you choose the best betta fish tank mates for your tank.
Betta fish are known to be fierce fighters, especially to their species. Male betta fish are more aggressive, especially to other betta males and male gouramis. You have to keep this in mind when looking for betta fish tank mate.
The male betta fish can live singly in a “community” aquarium containing certain other docile species of fish. They can also live together with nonfish species, including snails, ghost shrimp, and frogs.
In the event of aggression in a community tank, it is advisable to have a separate, working quarantine aquarium in which individual fish can be placed.
Female betta fish can live in a peaceful group with enough space and hiding areas. Ensure that your aquarium is at least 10 to 20 gallons with lots of covers and live plants to prevent your betta fish from becoming overly territorial.
Top 6 Best Betta Fish Tank Mates
There are so many fish species that can make your tank or aquarium look great. However, not all fish species can coexist in peace with your betta fish.
We have done the research and identified some of the top-rated betta fish tank mates to consider. Based on our research, we have provided you with an overview of some of the fish that can make good tank mates for betta fish.
1. Kuhli loaches
The Kuhli Loaches are eel-like fish species that grow to about 3.5 inches long. They are great scavengers that eat any excess from the betta.
These fish are great betta fish tank mates that hide together in groups during the daytime and come out when the lights are off and the betta is asleep. These have been shown to make great mates for even the most aggressive betta fish.
The kuhli loaches like to squeeze themselves under plant roots, rocks, and driftwood thus you will need to include some plants and rocks in your tank if there are none yet.
You also need to give them some sinking foods such as community pellets, Repashy gel food, frozen bloodworms, and live blackworms to meet their dietary needs.
2. Mystery snails
The Mystery snails are another great betta fish tank mate. They are one of the best fish tank mates for both male or female bettas alike.
They feed on uneaten food and clean up algae, helping with aquarium cleanliness. These snails don’t reproduce asexually like some snails. They are in Golden, Blue, or Dark Brownish colors and are easy to keep. The snails do not require so much work.
The snails require 5-Gallons of water or more. They are plant-safe and will do well with bettas because of their docile nature.
Bettas are curious and can at times try to nip at a mystery snail, but the good thing is that mystery snails have a hard shell they can retreat into.
An adult mystery snail can grow to around 2 inches in size and has an average lifespan of 1 year.
3. Ember Tetras
The Ember Tetras is a lively, colorful addition to any aquarium or fish tank. They are red-orange and require an aquarium or tank that is 10 gallons or larger.
The Tetras like to school together thus ensuring that you get 5 to 6 of them. Since they love to school together, it becomes hard for the betta to single one out and attack it.
They swim around the middle of the tank and eat the same food as the betta, making the community tank easy to feed. The Ember Tetras are active fishes that have a vibrant color and will stand out even in a heavily planted tank.
The Ember Tetras can be paired with a bright blue or solid white betta fish to create contrasting colors that will create a striking display.
See also: Caring for baby betta fish
4. Ghost Shrimp
The ghost shrimp also known as the glass shrimp is an invertebrate that makes a great betta fish tank mate. It has a see-through appearance and is easy to take care of and maintain.
Beginners in fish keeping can include the ghost shrimp in their tank. It requires a 10-Gallons or more tank size. The shrimp is virtually invisible in tanks, making it a great mate for betta fish.
It is advisable to introduce in a group of 2-4, with 6 or more leading to potential breeding. They are very inexpensive and are scavengers who will eat all excess food for your betta fish.
The ghost shrimp can grow up to 1.5 inches in length and live for 1 to 1.5 years with proper care. They love moss balls and other live plants and will help keep your tank clean.
5. Malaysian Trumpet Snails
The Malaysian Trumpet snails are another great betta fish tank mate. They are mostly active at night and spend the day burrowing in the substrate.
The snails readily reproduce if given enough food thus you don’t have to buy many when starting. They feed on algae and organic debris without adding bioload to the aquarium.
6. Feeder Guppies
The Feeder Guppies are great betta tank mates despite them being bred as food for larger fish. They don’t have the bright coloring or long fins like most aquarium fish but they are ideal to live with the betta.
They are content living on their own, thus adding one as a tank mate is easier than schooling fish. They require the same water temperatures and pH as the betta and are resilient.
The feeder guppies have a docile temperament thus you do not have to worry about them becoming aggressive to the betta.
See also: Aquarium salt for betta fish
Recap
There is a common misconception that betta fish can only live alone. The truth is that other fish can exist together with the betta fish in the same tank.
It is important to ensure that all the fish you add to your fish tank thrive at the same temperature as the betta fish. You also need to monitor your betta fish tank for signs of stress in your betta and the other companions over several days.
The sad thing is that even if you do everything right, there’s no guarantee your betta won’t become an aggressor or a victim. Look out for signs such as lack of appetite, visible wounds like fin tearing, nonstop chases, and extended periods of quarreling. Prolonged stress and fighting can lead to sick or dead fish.
If the environment is unsafe, ensure that you are ready with a secondary tank or container to remove your betta. We hope that this article has opened your eyes and helped you understand some of the species you can add as mates to your betta fish tank.
Reference
Pet Wave: BETTA CARE SHEET