Can I put another fish in a tank with a male betta?

Question

My girlfriend just rescued a male betta fish from wallmart (it was in less than 1/2" of water) and wants to put in another fish to keep him company.

What I know: a.) not to put another male betta in with him; b.) not to put any aggressive fish in with him; & c.) if I put in a female betta he will try to have sex constantly and the female may get agitated.

Ideally, we'd like to get another small fish that, like bettas, do not need filtration or air stones.

Thanks for the input!

Answer 1

Bettas tend to be misunderstood, they get along with most fish, besides other male bettas. But, another myth about them is that they are able to thrive in vases, or small 1/2 gallon tanks. THIS IS COMPLETELY FALSE!!! unless you want your betta to get fin rot and die, you'll buy a 5 1/2-10 gallon tank at least. Also, get a filter and bubbler and a heater. They need space to swim too you know. They enjoy lots of hiding places and plants too. NO MATTER WHAT THE PETSTORES SAY THEY CANT LIVE LIKE THAT!!! there life span is supposed to be 5-6 years old. In that little cage they live 1-2yrs because of the increased chance of getting a disease. Petstores WANT your fish to die, and they know those tanks will do just that. I know it sounds bad, but how elsed will they make money?? They help your bettas get sick so they can overcharge you on medicine, then your betta dies and you re-start the cycle!!!!Anyway... they enjoy eating live foods, as well as pellets, and dried blood worms. So, after getting a larger tank then you should worry about gettig your betta company.

Answer 2

You are getting a lot of bad advice here. I suggest you look for some aquarium forums instead.

Bettas get along with most fish. They only attack other male bettas and things they think look like other male bettas (which can be just about anything with long fins). There are also many fish which like to nip at long-finned fish. For the most part, though, bettas are fine with other fish. I am sitting next to a betta in a 30 gal. tank with 6 swortails, 5 panda corys, 1 golden gourami, 7 harlequin rasboras, several snails, and several shrimp. They get along fine.

But you're looking for a non-filtered tank. If you don't have a filter, you need some pretty robust fish. Bettas can live in a lot of filth because when the water is dirty they can go up to the top and breathe. You should at least change out some of the water with fresh water once a week, though.

About the only thing that's suitable to put in a non-filtered tank with a betta is a snail or maybe a couple shrimp. Guppies can usually live in non-filtered tanks, but usually bettas won't like them because of their long fins.

One important thing is that bettas all have different personalities. Some bettas are really mean. Some bettas will get along with anybody, even some fish with long fins.

Also, you didn't say how big the tank is, which is pretty important.

Answer 3

Bettas especial males don't like company. Some in fact are just plain pycho, and will attack any fish in their tank. Unless the tank/bowl is larger than 5 gallons with cover the male betta will tend to consider the whole his territory, and be aggressive towards his tank mates. About the only tank mates I've had success with are snails. Then again I'd like to point out one of my bettas is called "Snail Slayer".

Pretty much all fish other than bettas, and goldfish require filtration. Goldfish make poor tankmate with their waste output, and being slow moving fish. (Slow moving fish can't out run an aggressive betta.)

Note on C. A male betta can't live with a female betta as bettas are territorial to all betta male and female. If a male betta is mating with a female he'll be trying to drive her away. Which does not work work in a tank/bowl.

Answer 4

Try not to mix Bettas with other fishes. What you said above that you know was right, but you missed out something. Colourful and Long Finnage fishes like Guppies and Swordtail etc may be attacked by bettas too due to mistake of another betta. I keep a group of 7 - 9 Tiger Barbs with it, not one or two cos' Tiger Barbs will attack long finnage Fishes when they are kept less than 2 pairs as they are known as Fin - snippers as well.

Answer 5

All fish should have filtration and water circulation. The fact that bettas (pronounced bet-tah, not bay-tah) can exist without it is not a reason to force it to live like that.

A betta should have a 3-5 gallon aquarium for its' home. You could add some neons. The temperature requirement for both is around 80 degrees (they are both tropical fish).

Not only will the female become agitated, she will become dead. The male will kill her if she is not immediately ready to spawn. Also, if they do spawn, he will drive her away or kill her after she is depleted of eggs.

Answer 6

You can keep a male betta with other fish that are peaceful. But definitely not another male betta.

But once you add another fish or fishes, you'll defintely need the filtration. So, in short, if you don't want to provide those things, you're best off just sticking with the one betta

Answer 7

you do not have many choices....each inch of fish needs 1gallon of water...so how many gal. is the tank? and the only surface breathrs i know are gourami and if it is a small tank get a dwarf gourami ..no crabs of crawfish they will tear up the bettas fins,or even eat him... shrimp if big enough not to be eaten by the betta is ok ...other fish need filters and air....10 gallon set ups are fairly cheep....try e-bay or pet shops

Answer 8

No!!!Betta are agresive fish that need to be kept apart. Also, soltaire animals they like to be by themselfs. Last, they can be put together if opposite sex but male betta might try to mate with and make the female aggrevated.

Answer 9

I kept my betta male in with my fish with no trouble, just watch out for fin nipping fish as they will kill him. Very small fish may become lunch but I raised fry with mine.

Answer 10

I have a tank full of fish, including my betta, and they all get along just fine. Just try not to put any fin nippers in with him.