Tankmates for a Betta

[lanoit]

I've heard it both ways - other than other bettas is there any community fish that a betta will just not get along with? I'm considering getting one with a bottom feeder and some tetras in a 50 gallon tank, but I don't want the tetras dead.

Suggestions?

[OrionGirl]

Most male bettas will tolerate tetras well--maybe a bit of chasing, but nothing serious. More of a concern--many tetras are very nippy and will injure the flowing fins of a betta. Choose carefully.

Otherwise--betta tend to fight with other anabatoids, like gouramies, paradise fish, and other betta species. Fish that are nippy are bad and should be avoided. Bottom dwellers are typically inspected, poked at and then ignored.

[russjet]

i have heard guppies are not a very good match although
i have them in with a betta along with neon tetras and corydora catfish
basically i looked at the tank mates in the store as mine was in with guppies i grabbed him and he is lovely
also had platys in with him

the lfs said it is trial and error whether they will tolerate guppies
some will some wont

[texas]

I just added a betta with my guppies and cory cat last night and it is going well.

I have also had a betta with mollies. It worked out great too.

[Kabong]

It has a lot to do with your bettas personality.
Some are more aggresive then others mine lives in my community tank with no problems.

[labont865]

Bettas are teritorial fish meaning they will not tolerate others of the same species. They usually do fine with other species of fish though mainly in that they dont generally see other species as threats. This isn always the case but generally bettas are fine with most fish. But some Bettas are more aggresive than others

I used to have a betta in with
2 clown loaches
1 pygmy puffer
2 large angel fish
3 ottos
1 clown knife
misc. feeder guppies for the clown knife

The Angels were slightly aggressive towards the betta and the the puffer I had to move to a different tank due to the fin nipping and the clown knife constantly trying to eat him, but the Betta was always fine.

[lanoit]

It has a lot to do with your bettas personality.
Some are more aggresive then others mine lives in my community tank with no problems.

So would it help if I gave them a questionaire before I choose which one to buy?

[OrionGirl]

:) Actually, just go through and watch the betta. If he can see other fish, and is constantly flaring at them, chasing them, he's one that's pretty aggressive.

[Kabong]

So would it help if I gave them a questionaire before I choose which one to buy?

What im trying to say is your taking your chance's.
Im not gonna tell you "oh yeah there fine! Mine lives in a community tank"!
Then you get yours home and it slaughters everything in your tank.

Some Tetra's Whould Be fine. Other's like say a Splashing Tetra. Whould probably meet a untimely end. Stay away from ones with flowing fins and you should be fine. But no matter what you must accept the fact that you may buy one and it will go after everything that moves. A very slim chance on that but ive heard of it.

[anark]

i've got a male betta that's pretty docile.
tiger barbs
swordtales
blue rams
bala sharks
clown loaches
zebra dainos
plecos

and not one fight.
the barbs were interested for the 1st day but now everything's settled.

Allan!

[the_dougie]

basically avoid flowy tails, and fin nippers :)
I heard they can also get confused with fish of the same color but this has never happened with me :)