I currently have a betta fish in a bowl, but I just bought an aquarium and I want to get more fish. I know you can't put bettas with other betta's but would they be able to live with different kinds of fish?
2007-02-25 08:37:43 · 18 answers · asked by crazywhatevergirl 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
When I was younger, I had a ten gallon aquarium that had a mix of sunset platys, fantail goldfish, and common goldfish. When I went to a pet store to look at the fish (of course I already had plenty, but you know how it is!! LOL) I noticed there was one male betta in almost every tank of freshwater fish. I asked the owner about it and he said as long as the other fish are not aggressive (to prevent harassing the betta) and are a bit larger than the betta (so they don't get eaten), they are fine. They can tolerate tropical temps or room temps, as long as they are acclimated correctly when introduced. He didn't keep them in those stuffy cups and it made a world of difference!! They actually are quite lively and when they swim their fins and tail fan out so they actually look like a floating flower!! Nothing like those you see sitting comatose in seclusion. They really are beautiful fish...let them have the room to show off their colors!!
Blessings
2007-02-25 08:59:54 · answer #1 · answered by Silverwolf 4 · 15⤊ 1⤋
It depends on the type of fish you plan to put in your other tank. Also, what is the size of your other tank. The general rule is 1 inch(at full grown size) of fish per gallon of water. Also, they wont go good with goldfish(coldwater & dirty) or fish that are overly aggressive. Generally tropicals would be the best bet, but still keep an eye on them to make sure they arent chasing him and he isnt chasing them to be too stressed out where it kills them. For the first week at least----keep the bowl handy in case you need to seperate them.
Also, in a brand new tank, start slow when adding fish so the water pH, bacterias, etc can get balanced. I'd add a bit of the water from your betta bowl to help it get started & let it run for a week with no fish. Once you begin to add fish, only add 1 or 2 at a time.
Good luck----I am addicted (have a 55gal, 29gal long, and a 10gal).
2007-02-25 16:53:04 · answer #2 · answered by itsjustme_erin 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If your Betta is a male be careful of what type of other fish you put in the tank with him,because if the other fish have long tales like the betta he might mistake them for being his own kind and fight with them,female pretty much get along with all other fish,besides the male betta,you also can have more than one female in a tank.
2007-02-25 17:49:23 · answer #3 · answered by Scott B 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes,
I have a aquarium with lots of fish and one betta. The betta does fine.
2007-02-25 16:40:11 · answer #4 · answered by Haley 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
yes he can, but you need to do it very carefully.
as he's been on his own for a while you won't know how he'll react to a new environment and new fish. some bettas will be placid and not really care, others will get aggressive and try and take chunks out of the other fish, it will rely ENTIRELY on your specific betta. try it and see how he reacts.
his tankmates need to be chosen carefully. he must NOT be kept with gouramis (related to bettas, will get fiesty with each other), barbs, specifically tiger barbs, will be nippy at his long fins, some tetras will also be nippy. brightly coloured fish such as guppies and platys may get targeted as betta rivals, they can react to brightly coloured fish. and avoid cichlids such as angels or rams, they have attitudes on them and a slow swimming betta with long fins may become a target.
peaceful fish such as corys, otocinclus, peaceful bottom dwellers will tend to keep out of his way..
keep his bowl onhand in case he is a bit fiesty to the new fish, or they react badly to him.
the link below is a good guide as to what can and cannot be kept with bettas.
2007-02-25 16:53:43 · answer #5 · answered by catx 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Most people are going ot tell you "no, they cant they are fighting fish" But I have a Beta in a bowl, and there's 2 other fish in the bowl with him. He doesnt fight with them probably because they arent aggressive fish.
If you have a fish that's bigger then the Beta he'll probably leave them alone. I dont think using female Beta's is a good idea, we had about 4 of them and he killed them all. But not other species.
2007-02-25 16:42:45 · answer #6 · answered by kale 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Sure you can. Bettas are quite peaceful community fish. Just be sure you avoid anything that might nip the bettas fins or get really large and be able to eat the betta and it will be fine.
MM
2007-02-25 16:40:48 · answer #7 · answered by magicman116 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
It really depends on the tempermentn of your betta, I would give it a try and put him back in the bowl if he missbehaves(although I dont approve of bowls, but its better then him killing other fish)
2007-02-25 16:43:57 · answer #8 · answered by Skittles 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
You should research fish that are compatible with bettas. Most fish are. Females are for sure compatible with most fish.
2007-02-25 20:33:42 · answer #9 · answered by Kiel_Raider_07 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
yes they can live with other fish, just not themselves, threy can be very aggressive though
2007-02-25 16:47:42 · answer #10 · answered by whateverbabe 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋