View Full Version : Bettas compatable with?
goldene
11-08-2003, 3:54 PM
Hi :) can any of you give me advice on what fish live happily with Bettas ~male or female ~I know you cannot keep 2 males together but females you can.
caseyt
11-08-2003, 4:18 PM
you'd actually be surprised at your options here. most people unfamiliar with bettas will automatically assume that their fighting fish reputation prevents them from coexisting with other fish.
just to give you an idea, my two bettas live happily (in separate tanks albeit) with lamp eye tetras, zebra danios, neon tetras, otocinclus, african dwarf frogs, black mollies and albino corydoras.
generally speaking, bettas can peacefully live with most non-aggressive fish and fish lacking similar pectoral fins, i.e. no gouramis.
[edited to say that my two are males... i'm sure having only females opens up a few options.]
mt_marcy
11-08-2003, 4:31 PM
hi,
male bettas can live together with the fish the other poster listed plus they can also do fine with white cloud mountian minnows and in some cases(gotta be careful here) even guppies. good luck,
mt_marcy!
aquariumfishguy
11-08-2003, 4:46 PM
perhaps the most question is what size tank do you have for this fish? This will help us tell you what fish (if any) can be kept with the betta...
goldene
11-08-2003, 7:47 PM
Hi :) Thanks all for your replys, aquariumfishguy I have a 4ft tank 48x12x15 since I have recently put my goldfish in a larger tank or a 1 and a half ft 18x10x10 that I normally use for a hospital/quarantine tank.
Locust
11-09-2003, 4:58 AM
This is one of those things that you don't really know until you try. I'd try putting in the betta after you add any other fish to hopefully minimize any territorial instincts by the betta, and then watch the betta closely. If you see signs of aggression, remove the other fish and try again with something else.
Of course, any fish with a reputation for fin nipping is a bad choice...
You might also want to consider a pair of male bettas in a divided tank, judging by the dimensions of your tank.
When I put my betta into my 10 gallon with white clouds and cories he was the jerk of the tank. Though he never nipped or attacked anyone outright, he would do an occasional chase around the tank to show everyone who was boss. There was a lot of flairing but nothing physical. He evn decided that one particular spotted cory was the one he would pick on the most.
So unless you see actually physical attacks, aggression is fine. Just make sure to have plenty of plants (either real or silk) and make sure there is a nice calm spot away from the filter for him to hide when he needs a rest from swimming.
goldene
11-09-2003, 7:31 AM
Ok thanks
Grassguy
11-10-2003, 4:52 AM
I even had a Betta in a 55 gal with four Bala sharks, four giant danios, one Pleco, and three clown loaches.
They lived peacefullly for several years. As long as everyone stayed out of the Bettas corner of the tank.;)
goldene
11-10-2003, 8:00 AM
Thanks again all of you, It seems that there is a good selection of fish to choose from, I will take a list of the names you recommended and look for them in the aquatics, I will keep you posted to what I get later on.
Leopardess
11-10-2003, 12:43 PM
Other fish that I've kept them with are glowlight tetras (very under rated fish - look great in a planted tank), and Harlequin or Scissortail Rasboras:)
goldene
11-10-2003, 12:49 PM
Hi, Thanks Leopardess I clicked on your site, its very good I wouldn't mind having my own site, Can you private message me how to set one up if you wouldn't mind. please!!!
aquariumfishguy
11-10-2003, 4:25 PM
Leopardess, you have some nice pics! ;)
And Goldene, if leo can't help you or something comes up, I just thought I would offer my help too. I used to have a free website a while ago before I started paying for mine (I eventually bought my own server). Anything you'd like to ask, you know where to find me! PM me anytime...
Prometheus
11-10-2003, 4:39 PM
Yep, I had a male betta in with diamond tetras, bala's, and some other fish, never any problems...
A word of caution on dumping a betta into large tank... make sure you turn down your water current when you put it in, and slowly bring it back to full... Bettas are used to floating in a current free enviorment and need time to adjust...
goldene
11-10-2003, 6:46 PM
Originally posted by aquariumfishguy
Leopardess, you have some nice pics! ;)
And Goldene, if leo can't help you or something comes up, I just thought I would offer my help too. I used to have a free website a while ago before I started paying for mine (I eventually bought my own server). Anything you'd like to ask, you know where to find me! PM me anytime...
Thanks I will
goldene
11-10-2003, 6:48 PM
Originally posted by Prometheus
Yep, I had a male betta in with diamond tetras, bala's, and some other fish, never any problems...
A word of caution on dumping a betta into large tank... make sure you turn down your water current when you put it in, and slowly bring it back to full... Bettas are used to floating in a current free enviorment and need time to adjust...
Thats something I wouldn't of thought off Thanks
goldene
01-04-2004, 1:01 PM
I know I asked this question a while back, but I have only just decided to go for it and get a betta it is in my 5 gallon quarentine tank at present, I also got another tank to use instead of my 4ft, I have bought a fluval duo 600 which is about 16 gallons, now its just a case of setting it up to cycle and then getting the compatible fish, any more suggestions welcome thanks :)