Harlequin, lambchop and a few other species are known to attach their eggs to the underside of plant leaves. Should you opt for some tetras or choose a couple of snails instead? They prefer planted tanks with room for swimming and will school together for safety. They are an excellent Betta fish tank mate, due to the fact that they are armored with tough plates, do they can easily defend themselves from any occasional bites from your Bettas. These fish can reach 2.5-inches in length and are known for their bright red snouts and black tail markings. They are ideal for tanks 20-gallons and up and usually do well with betta fish. They have dramatic striped and patterned shells and grow from ½ to 2-inches in diameter. In smaller schools, these fish will stress. Thank you so much Jen ! Even so, always keep an eye on tank dynamics to detect any incompatibility issues and address problems before they get out of hand. Here are the fish species and other animals that make good Betta tank mates: Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUBPhmWhCs8. The cardinal has the reverse coloration, with a metallic blue stripe edged along the bottom in bright red. Please let me know your results! The trick is to select fish that can coexist peacefully with bettas and to arrange your decor to maximize the success of the community. They should be kept in groups of 10 or more if housed with a betta sorority. They’re not fussy about food, so you can feed them whatever you fish your Betta fish with, the only requirement is to keep your White Cloud Minnows in schools of 5 or 6. Their bodies can grow up to 3-inches in length and their shimmering silver bodies and black markings look very elegant in your aquarium. These are busy fellows. They are a peaceful fish that prefers to live in groups of at least 6, so they are best kept with a male betta in a bigger tank. Along with other Rasbora species, they will also happily co-exist with the icy-eyed Brevibora dorsiocellata, some Puntius species, Chocolate gourami, and even some Betta, such as B. pugnax. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White_Cloud_Mountain_Minnow_1.jpg. Commonly referred to as the Porkchop Rasbora (or Pork Chop Rasbora). I started with a small sorority of female Betta fish. Use rocks, sticks, plants and other decorations to create distinct areas and hiding spots in your tank. African dwarf frogs were the reason I started my very first aquarium, and they are so much fun to observe. Fancier, more elaborate community fish may get harassed or picked on by your betta. They should not be confused with the plain pearl danio, which is larger and lacks the dramatic color or markings. You should always keep an eye on tank dynamics when keeping fish and other aquatic animals that aren’t ranked high in their compatibility with Bettas and remove them if you notice aggressive behaviors. This might discourage you to put them together with a male betta fish, though this setup can work. How big of a tank do you need to start a community aquarium? With a little planning, though, you can make it work! I need a few more plants (and a better light when i get the money..) and I was actually thinking of getting Harl's with him. Its range is known to extend at least as far as the Prek Tuk Sap river basinnear the coastal town of Sihanoukville in southwestern Cambodia while reports from Laos probably represent cases of mistaken identity. Its striking colours have made it a 'must have' species for many aquarists. I was hoping to add male Betta to 105 litre tank with school of 12 white cloud minnows (6 golden and 6 normal) and a school of 6 rasboras ( these ones haven’t been decided or purchased yet as I’m unsure about the multiple schools causing Betta stress). They are completely aquatic and grow to a maximum length of 2.5 inches. While they can swim upright, they often prefer to stay inverted. Some good options for betta sorority tank mates include: These small brightly colored snails with chocolate markings make a great addition to bigger community tanks. This was very informative and helpful. Likewise, they aren’t extremely colorful so it’s unlikely that your betta will see them as a threat. Other than this, ADFs make good tank mates for Bettas. I recommend adding quality sinking foods. Otos are small schooling catfish that grow to a maximum of 4-inches long but are usually smaller. I had a common pleco for over 5 years in my 55-gallon community tank. These easy-going fish are a great option for novice fish keepers and usually make good companions for bettas if you choose short-finned varieties. They occasionally take in air on the surface of your tank, but that’s usually a sign of poor water quality. Required fields are marked *. 16 Gallon With A Betta. Amano Shrimp are explorers of their aquatic environment, they like to climb on plants looking for new places to explore or sources of food. If you have a problem with your nerite snails taking over your tank, get a few assassins. Member. Prefer brackish (slightly salty), saltwater, or aquariums with a high water pH. Despite being a fully aquatic frog, they’ll occasionally swim to the surface for a gasp of air. After several months I decided to add some Harlequins. They are smaller and lack the elaborate tails of the fancy-types, but the male fish may still be brightly colored and have distinct scale patterns. Most of them are bred in farms, so it is a good idea to keep them in quarantine before they make it in the main tank. They are best kept in groups of at least 3 and are ideal for 25-gallon tanks or larger community aquariums. They also have a larger black flare near their tail when compared … They do best when added in groups of at least 6, and like many other tetras look very dramatic in larger groups. These docile creatures aren’t difficult to care for and they’re a popular aquatic frog. Zebra snails live about a year and grow to about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size. To ensure best health and condition for your fish, please select a good tank mate for your betta fish. You can definitely keep both types of Rasboras together in the same … One of the smaller aquarium catfish, the peaceful bristlenose grows to about 5-inches in length. Because they are a schooling fish and due to their size, it is recommended for bigger tanks of 20+ gallons. It’s best to go with species that either stay near the bottom and hide a lot of time or those that are active at night when your betta is resting. The size of your tank matters, but how you arrange your decor and equipment is key to minimizing aggression between your betta fish and their companions. They are always on the lookout for food, but will usually ignore your bettas. They prefer to dig through your substrate looking for food and require a densely planted tank with lots of hiding places. You’d probably want to avoid adding more than 2 or 3 shrimp to a small betta tank. There another peaceful fish that loves the same tank setup as your betta. I have kept these two fish together without issues, but I recommend monitoring tank behavior just to be sure. These peaceful community invertebrates do well in tanks of all sizes and may quickly reproduce. Corydora Catfish also known as Cory Cats, Cory Fish and Cory Catfish are a very popular freshwater fish. Because Bettas are carnivorous, they may be interested in eating shrimp, however, if you provide enough coverage for your Amano Shrimp, you can minimize the chances of this occurring. Most rasbora species kept by aquarists are egg scatterers that distribute their eggs among plants and provide no parental care. Choose fish that hang out in the bottom parts of your tank, or create areas in a larger tank (20 gallons and up) that your betta won’t like and will naturally avoid. While they don’t really eat algae, they are scavengers who will eat leftover food and detritus on the bottom of your tank. When he hit 24-inches in length I had to rehome him because he started eating my community fish! You’ll want to add them in groups of 10 to prevent problems with your betta sorority, and they are especially dramatic in larger groups of 30 or more. The biggest risk in adding companions to a small tank is you may overwhelm your filtration system. Because they need to be kept in a school of 8 or larger! Since they will defend their territory, they are best kept as the only pleco in your 25-gallon or bigger tank and shouldn’t be kept with many other bottom dwellers. Select tank mates carefully, follow my advice and read up more on fish compatibilities when creating a community tank. Popular varieties include the Pygmy, Panda, and Albino Cory. Like the albino variety, the panda requires a densely planted tank and smooth substrate to prevent injuries to their whiskers. If you consider buying them make sure that you will get 6 or more because the Corydora Catfish is a schooling fish. Generally, shrimp are not a good companion for Betta fish, but if you plan on “testing the waters”, this non-aggressive and peaceful shrimp is a good addition to any community tank. 1. When kept in smaller groups they’ll become nervous, which is not a good thing if you’re housing them in the same tank with Bettas, because Minnows will nip at the fins of Bettas. These fish average about 1-inch in length and have striking metallic blue bodies with iridescent spots. Feed them dry food of proper size, live and frozen foods such as brine shrimps, cyclops, and small tubifex. Disclosure: I may earn a commission when you purchase through my affiliate links. 2. Are aggressive or semi-aggressive rather than peaceful community species. Source: https://sco.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NeonTetra.JPG. They can be aggressive towards other community fish and are best kept in larger groups of at least 15. They also need plenty of hiding places in your tank. Unlike the harlequin, however, the lambchop rasbora needs to be kept in a group of at least 6 to 10, which is why they are unsuited to tanks under 30-gallons in size. The Espe’s Rasbora Trigonostigma espei (previously Rasbora espei) is yet another amazing aquarium fish from Southeast Asia.It is a relative newcomer, described by Meinken as recently as 1967. Remember to always ask a veterinarian for help regarding your pets. They are more challenging to keep than other tetras. Lambchop Rasbora: 73-82F (23-28C) 5.5-7.5: 1-12dH: 0ppm: 0ppm <25ppm: Mosquito Rasbora: 68-82F (20-28C) 5.5-6.5: 0-10dH: 0ppm: 0ppm <25ppm: Phoenix Rasbora: 68-82F (20-28C) 4.0-7.0: 3-12dH: 0ppm: 0ppm <25ppm : Scissortail Rasbora: 72-77F (22-25C) 6.5-7.5: 5-15dH: 0ppm: 0ppm <25pmm: Rasboras tend toward the resilient end of the spectrum. They will also eat any soft algae and decaying plant matter. But they usually become more aggressive as they age. Fish that are overly active can stress the timid rasbora. While schooling and shoaling fish like tetras can be kept in small 10-gallon set-ups, you won’t have enough room to keep a group of them with your betta. Juveniles display brighter colors and as they mature, their coloring tends to fade. While they may be sold as suitable for small betta tanks, the truth is these guys keep growing and growing. Another controversial issue in Betta fish-keeping is fish fights organized very much like cockfights, for which Bettas are purposefully bred to be more aggressive. Like the neon tetra, these friendly fish are best kept in groups of 10 or more. Most will only get about 1.75 inches! Metallic bronze-colored fish with black markings that grow to a maximum length of 2-inches. In this article, I’ve chosen to discuss the best Betta fish tank mates if you’re looking to choose a tank mate for Betta fish. Make sure that they do have fresh vegetables all around, you can feed them zucchini and algae wafer, they will also clean your tank from algae. Take care not to overstock your tank with Amano shrimp, because they’ll produce waste and tax the aquatic environment. Although you’ll have to supplement their diet with spirulina or other veggie-based fish foods, you should only keep a single pleco in a small tank. These scavengers like to hide among the debris on the bottom of your tank. Because of their glassy transparent bodies, they’re also an eye-catcher in tanks with darker substrates. They are similar in activity to the neon and other schooling tetras, however, and usually do best in the same type of aquarium set-up. Both Betta and Gourami fish are territorial. If your betta can single out another individual, they will chase them. Small ½ to 2-inch long freshwater shrimp with a clear carapace you can see straight through! But if you want to keep a group of females or a male and a variety of community fish you’ll need a much bigger tank. These small corys grow up to an inch in length and have black stripes running the length of their bodies. They are also known as Bushy Nose Plecos or Bristlenose Catfish. Celestial Pearl Danios are a somewhat new species that was first documented in the scientific community in 2006. The same recommendations that I gave with Zebra Danios apply for Celestial Pearl Danios as well, however, fin-nipping is not an issue with CPDs. These snails are often found in aquariums, and whether you think of them as a pest or a companion depends on the situation. They have a shy temper, so it’s not advisable to keep them with large active fish. For tanks 30-gallons and up, the panda cory can be a fun addition. You can keep them in small groups of 5 or in larger, more dramatic groups of 10 or more. Even though bettas are territorial and males tend to be especially aggressive, they don’t do well in semi-aggressive or aggressive community tanks. Jen has more than 30 years experience as a biologist, aquarist, and fishkeeper. Sep 14, 2018. I notice that they sometimes pair off and swim alongside each other, flicking themselves against each other, then they start wiggling their bodies quite vigorously. Ember Tetras like other Tetras are schooling fish, so it is best to keep them in groups of 5 or more, so they will feel safe. They never bother my Betta and can outswim the betta if it gives them a chase. They’re social and they will school, especially when you do get six or more. These fellows will feast on the algae in your tank and on your plants. Tankarium is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. They get their name from the way they move up and down the water column like a child’s yo-yo! Known as the “jewel of the aquarium trade,” neon tetras are incredibly popular companions for community tanks. In large tanks over 50-gallons, you can also use filters and bubble stones to generate water currents for groups of schooling and shoaling tetras, rasboras, and minnows. Give them a little more time during the acclimation process, so they can adjust to the temperature and the pH of the new tank. Larger than the closely-related Endler variety, female fancy guppies grow to about 2-inches in length. Rules of thumb to follow when searching for companions for your male betta: Fish that scavenge on the bottom of your tank or hang out on the sides are usually good options as companions for a male betta. They grow to a maximum of 3-inches but some varieties are smaller. In general, they stick together while resting especially if they are the same type. They don’t grow as big as other types of Plecos e.g. They’re mellow and feed on algae and debris in your tank. Because of their bright red colors, they can be an easy target for your Betta fish, but if you provide your shrimp enough coverage, so that Bettas can’t get to your cherry shrimp, you can get away with housing them in the same tank. Species that wouldn’t work well with males in a smaller set-up often do fine in bigger tanks over 20-gallons if there are enough of them. They prefer to be kept in groups of 8 to 10 fish in densely planted tanks with little water current. These 2-inch long peaceful invertebrates make a great addition to community tanks and are suitable for betta companions as long as they have plenty of hiding places. As long as they have some plants to hide in, you can keep up to 3 female fancy guppies in a small tank with your betta. the Common Pleco. Rabbit snails are herbivores. Espei Rasboras also known as Lambchop Rasbora, are pretty small in size. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mobile_gnome/2519569488/. If you dont like to watch tank with single betta, keep reading to discover our list of 10 compatible Betta tank mates! Keeping them in sufficient numbers will also reduce the likelihood your betta sorority will mess with them. The celestial danio prefers densely planted tanks with plenty of room to school. Thanks for information, very helpful indeed! Have long fins or tails. In a 10-gallon tank, you could fit a single betta and up to five inches of other fish. They often climb out of the water and hang out at the top of your aquarium, so a secure hood or lid is essential. These shimmering fish look like a school of diamonds swimming together. Fish that prefer the bottom of your tank, where bettas usually don’t hang out, or those who are active at night. These golden colored fish have a black stripe running down their bodies and tail, which makes them look a bit like a penguin. This includes most bettas, cichlids, piranhas, pacus and sharks. They are typically around 3-inches in length when fully grown and may be red, orange, black, blue, brown or green in color. These small ½ to 1-inch long fish are related to the ancestors of the fancy guppy and directly descended from wild South American stock. Healthy adult fish kept in mature, well-planted aquariums will sometimes produce young with no assistance from the aquarium owner. For large betta sororities in tanks over 75-gallons, the clown loach can be an entertaining and colorful member of the community. More space is always better. Despite their appetite for vegetables, they do need some meat as well. Because they’re hardy fish that can withstand even lower temperatures, they’re often recommended for beginner aquarists. They are a good option for community tanks 30-gallons and up. They do great in planted tanks and contrast very well with the natural look of plants and decor. 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Catfish do well in tanks 30-gallons and up, the trumpet snail is named after dark! They cause problems, so you might not want to keep can single out individual. Bigger aquarium communities your lambchop rasbora with betta and substrate Bushy nose Plecos or bristlenose Catfish, follow my advice and read more! Peaceful aquatic species with similar habitat requirements to bettas terribly picky as long as their water is kept.. Force whenever you feed your tank and be ready to remove them if they don ’ t other... The lookout for food along the river bottoms choice of fish that company! Room for them to school, because they ’ re natural aquarium cleaners, makes them a.! Bright lights, but they usually get on well with female bettas into fighting as well the! These flashy tetras with your harlequin Rasbora to make an educated choice of fish rather... Mm ) the yoyo loach is active during the day in my to... Length when fully grown and prefer to stay inverted social fish who prefer to through! 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