I have a male beta fish, he is in a 3 gallon tank all by himself, and I want to get him a "friend". I know that male betas can commonly attck each other, but I am not sure how they react to other species of fish. My friend has a few extra guppie fish that are only about 2 months old, they are about 1 inch long now. Is it wise to add 1 or 2 guppie fish to my betas tank? I know theres plenty of room for an extra fish (3 gallon tank right now), and both fish are low mantinance fish. Can someone please tell me if you think this is a bad idea, or if the beta might somehow react violently?
Thank you!!
2006-11-02
13:40:35
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18 answers
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asked by
jazzygirl15
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in
Pets
➔ Fish
in response to eddygordo19's question, i do NOT want to just "Throw a female Fighting Fish in there".
Why? Because then I'd have more fighting fish. Game, set, match.
2006-11-02
13:58:06 ·
update #1
Honestly, that tank is too small to chance mixing a betta with another fish. There simply isn't enough room for the other fish to run and hide in the event your betta does get territorial.
Not to say that bettas can never be in larger tanks with other fish - I've had one male betta in a 55-gallon tank with three fancy-tailed guppies, three zebra danios, two silver dollars, four cory cats, three African dwarf frogs, two otto cats, and one devil sucker. I currently have another male betta in my 20-gallon with a female fancy-tailed guppy, eleven of her fry (in a breeder box), and two African dwarf frogs. So they get along plenty well with other fish - as long as everyone has the room to hide if necessary.
2006-11-02 15:43:48
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answer #1
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answered by birdistasty 5
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I've heard that guppies make lovely tank mates for guppies. However, I'm not sure the 3 gallons would be big enough, the reason being that guppies are schooling fish who prefer being in groups of at least 4 or so. A 10 gallon tank would work really well though for a school of guppies, the Betta, and maybe even a few Cory catfish. You can get 10gallon aquariums cheap at Walmart.
2006-11-03 00:08:08
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answer #2
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answered by lickitysplit 4
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You can keep a male beta with any kind of fish that doesn't look like a beta (avoid long-finned fish types and fancy guppies) and he'll ignore them as long as he can't fit them in his mouth. That being said, betas are solitary fish and don't need a friend. In fact, other fish stress them if there isn't enough space for the beta to go off on his own. In a three gallon, I think your beta will actually be happier by himself because he will feel like the guppy is invading his space and he can't get away to be alone. Also, guppies are really happiest in small groups of their own kind, so putting one or two in with your beta wouldn't be the best situation for them either. I hope that helps.
2006-11-03 00:08:55
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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Guppies would be perfect companions for a male betta. They are middle of the tank fish where the betta is an upper water fish and they will probably not come in contact with each other at all.
Whatever you do, do not put a female betta in the tank with the male! He will kill her if she is not conditioned and ready to breed. A three gallon tank is not sufficiently large for her to escape him.
In the wild, the only time males and females come together is to breed. After the male has the eggs in the nest, he will chase the female away or kill her and tend the nest himself.
Feel free to email me if you have more questions. Be sure to input your email address twice into this site so it will accept it.
2006-11-02 21:55:33
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answer #4
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answered by 8 In the corner 6
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I have a friend who works with fish. Guppies are you best bet to put with Beta's. But you need like a 10 gallon tank to be able to put the guppys in with the beta so they have room to roam. Otherwise you might get a not so nice result.
2006-11-02 21:54:03
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answer #5
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answered by lil_e_4ever 2
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I have had Betta's for years now and yes you can put other fish in with him. I have a small( 20 gallon) w/ a Betta and also have about 10 other fish in with him. My Betta is very funny to watch with the others. When you go to buy more fish just make sure you ask the store clerk what kind to buy. I have always bought non- aggressive fish.
2006-11-02 21:48:31
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answer #6
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answered by blue_6670 3
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Male betta fish can get along with other peaceful fish. But, the other fish introduced in the tank should not have long, colourful, fancy fins. This attracts the betta fish's attention and may result in an attack.
2006-11-02 22:36:39
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answer #7
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answered by oops1388 4
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Do not add a female beta to the tank, he will shred her trying to breed. 3 gallons really isn't much room and she wouldn't be able to get away. The smallest I've successfully bred betas is a 10 gallon, and she had a lot of shredded fins still.
I'd stay away from fancy male guppies because they have similar body shapes which leads to aggression from the beta. I'd personally leave him alone, but you might get away with some female guppies.
2006-11-02 21:51:25
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answer #8
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answered by Jamie 1
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Guppies with their longer colorful tail fins are not a good choice as tankmates for bettas because the betta may mistake the guppy for another male betta. Some good fish would be platys or maybe african dwarf frogs. You also have to be careful not to get fin nippers or other really fast moving fish because they can pick on the betta who when not with others of his own species can get bullied (they are wimps with other fast moving fish). the best tank mate is the african dwarf frog (not clawed frog)
2006-11-03 08:38:53
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answer #9
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answered by Jamie J 3
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It isn't a bad idea to put a Betta in the tank. Only take note that the betta might attack guppies of the same colour. Do not include gouramis or fin-nippers in the tank. other fish you can put in are
-small corys
-peaceful tetras(eg.neon)
2006-11-03 01:39:08
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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