Putting bettas with other fish...?

Question

I have a male betta, which is in its own tank. I also have 2 bala sharks (which are still small, about 3 inches long) and 2 dojo loaches. Would it be OK to put the betta in with the other fish? I don't like the tank he's in right now, it's too small.

Answer 1

Bettas are generally a rather peaceful fish. The only fish they fight with are other male bettas. Fish that have longer flashier fins, like some male guppies, might confuse the betta, but otherwise they are perfectly fine with other fish. Avoid fin nippers like barbs, however, as they will shred the betta's long flowing fins. The fish that you have are perfectly fine to have with the betta. Hopefully its a big enough tank!

Good luck

Answer 2

It should be okay, as the betta will not attack the other fish you have (they only attack things that look like other bettas).

Just make sure you do the switch slowly, in a floating bag adding in bits of the new tank water at a time, as the temps will probably be pretty different in the two tanks.

Also, if your betta is just sitting in a corner all the time, it is not happy in it's new home. Keep the old tank ready to go if your betta isn't happy

Also, once your bala sharks get larger, they will become more aggressive, so keep an eye on that.

Answer 3

No, it would be better to just get a larger tank for the betta and keep him separate.
Your bala sharks are small now, but they will grow in excess of 10 inches long and will happily eat your betta. Not to mention, they are active swimmers and enjoy a fairly strong current, which will stress a betta. Your balas will also need a 125+ gallon tank as adults, and this is really too big for a betta.

However, if you wanted to set up a tank for the betta and dojos, that would be just fine. Or you could just set up a 5-10 gallon tank for your betta, and maybe throw in an african dwarf frog of a couple cherry barbs.

Answer 4

Betta are actually rather peaceful, shy fish when kept in a community aquarium (not with other betta). However, bala sharks can be aggressive. Although you don't have to worry about your betta attacking your other fish, your bala sharks will surely attack the betta, it's just a matter of time. I would strongly recommend against putting these fish together.

Answer 5

Audrey A has the right answer.

Bettas don't attack other fish unless they remind them of other bettas. Don't put another betta, guppy, or gourami in the tank & you should be fine. He will appreciate the extra space.

Bettas are a lot wimpier than people give them credit for. If anything you need to watch out for the bala sharks disturbing him... Bettas like to chill & the sharks like to buzz around.

Answer 6

The bala shark are the threat to the betta. Bettas are mainly aggressive to other bettas once you get them out of the 5 gallon range. Plus betta are poor swimmer, and little threat to the balas. The balas might fin nip the betta, and will eat him later in life. Bala sharks get huge.

Answer 7

i have had all sorts of fish off and on all of my life i recently put my male betta into my large tank which was already the home to 2 huge gold fish ,3 small goldfish ,1fresh water catfish, 2guppies,2 black mollies,and an algae eater so far so good but i have alot of plants throughout my tank large and small the betta prefers to stay up top in the live plants near the surface most all of the time.. if in doubt drop him in and watch him for at least 30 minutes if he is gonna try to fight them he will do it fairly quickly!!

Answer 8

Silly girl, the Betta will eat the other ones.
Bettas are sold in small tanks for a reason.

Answer 9

The beta will be fine with the loaches and sharks. Anything too small and the beta will chase it and try to kill it.

Answer 10

i had two of the betas the bigger one of the two killed the other one plus he killed the other fish i had