How many other fish can I fit in with my Betta in a 10 gallon tank without crowding him?
30 June 2010
11 Comments
I'm currently saving up to get my Betta fish a 10 or 5.5 gallon tank because he seems a bit crowded in his three gallon. I've always wanted to get him a few little fishy friends, which is obviously why I'm trying to get him a 10 gallon. What would you recommend?
Note that bettas, being naturally territorial & aggressive fish, are prone to attack other fish; especially fish that look alike (similar fins & color). You may be lucky to get an unusually or relatively placid betta or unfortunate to have a real grouch & grandfather of fighters. Knowing this risk, you can try introducing other fish (no guppies or gouramis) but stay prepared to remove your betta quickly if harassment occurs. Also bear in mind that the betta may harass others but also can be picked on by fin-nipping fish (eg. tiger barbs, serpae tetra) or other grouches like mature algae eaters (usually more in terms of retaliation).
mollies, guppies, neon tetra
The rule is 1 inch of fish per gallon of water
I have some dwarf platys in with my betta and they do great together and they’re very small and cute.
Well, in my ten gallon I have a betta and three corydoras. Not a lot, but nice.
Platies, tetras, corydoras, otos, etc.
I bought a 10 gallon tank at Pets Mart for around $10 bucks…..
In my tank with the Betta his roommates are:
neon tetras
flaming tetras
sucker fish
spotted Corey catfish
3 African dwarf frogs
I’ve had a few different Betta’s, and though each one has a different personality, I noticed that they were more inclined to go after other fish with a lot of trailing tail fins, like guppies.
So maybe fish that will be either the same size or a bit smaller, and without a flashy tail.
***And please don’t put a goldfish in the tank. Goldfish are in the carp family and they give off a lot of slime by product, which isn’t good for other tank fish.
whatever you do DO NOT mix betta fish. they will fight terrible. i would say about 5 other fish…thats a good number because your fish wouldnt be crouded. i would say guppies, and small little snails (if you want).
hope this helps!
You’re right – he is a bit crowded in this 3 gal tank. I reckon a 5 gallon tank should be classed as minimum for ANY species!
That said, I wouldn’t risk getting anything to go in the tank with him. Here’s why:
Guppies (especially males) are far too much like the betta for comfort – he’ll confuse them for other male bettas and attack them.
Tetras, barbs and danios can find the long fins of the betta irresistible and start taking chunks out of them – and from experience, I know that when they attack, they attack so quickly you don’t even see it and you’re left wondering why the fish’s tail/fins are shredded (not with a betta, but with a Ram Cichlid).
Male bettas have been known to live comfortably side by side with mollies for a few months – then suddenly turn on them for no apparent reason. Same has been known to happen with the ever-peaceful cories.
Female bettas should only EVER be introduced to the male tank IF she’s gravid and IF he starts building a bubble nest, because otherwise he will kill her. Other males are a definate no-no.
Which, when all is said and done, doesn’t leave a lot of choice left.
neon tetra’s are good, make sure to get at least 5 of those as they are a schooling fish. you could also get 1 or 2 oto’s, . For the oto’s you need to get algea wafers or keep lots of algea. African Dwarf frogs are good too, but make sure you aren’t getting an African Clawed frog which grow 6+ inches. Make sure to have a good heater 5 watts per gallon, and a good filter. Also make sure not to get a fish with flowing fish, the betta thinks that it is another betta and will kill it. Don’t get goldfish, not because of the slime coating, but because they are coldwater fish. If you get the 5 gallon tank you really can’t get any other fish.
In a 10 gallon tank, you could have 6-8 neon tetras and a couple otos. There are other fish that mix well with bettas, just be sure that you don’t put in other anabantids such as gourami or other bettas, and fish the nip fins (such as barbs and serpae tetras) and fish with long fins are not good choices.
I suggest the 10 gallon tank with:
Cory cat fish (cories) 2-5 of these
Contuary to popular belief, no gouramis such as honey or dwarf ones as they will fight for territory with the betta (being in the same sub species)
Neon tetra 10 maximum
or
Clown loach 2
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