what tiny fish can i put in a fish bowl with a betta?

Question

i really dont wanna hear that the betta will eat them, or kill them, or that nothing should ever be put in a fish bowl, but i was at a freinds friends house, and he had a betta in a fish bowl with 2 really small fish with it, and he said that he never had any problems with them, i have a betta in a fish bowl, and was wondering what kind of small fish i can put in with it to keep him company?

its not that i dont wanna hear the truth, but ive seen otherwise, u make me out to seem like a jerk, but really u guys are making ur selves sound like smart-a**es, i know it can work but for how long i dont know, and i know i did a good thing for that fish livin in a cup......

and i do appreciate ur help, for those people who see where im comin from, i just want to get a hang of takin care of fish b4 i get a 20g tank from my freind

Answer 1

I know you don't want to hear it, but the fact remains that fish do not thrive in bowls.
I don't mean to say that you can't house bettas with other fish - because you can. I've kept bettas with many other community with no problems.
However, all my tanks are cycled, filtered and heated, and large enough accomodate the fish.
If you can ONLY have a bowl, then stick with one betta, and be sure to clean the water several times a week.

But if you can, try getting a bigger tank. Even 5-6 gallons, filtered and heated, would be enough for a couple fish, like a betta and a couple white cloud minnows. Or a betta and an african dwarf frog.

Answer 2

You can NOT put another betta in the bowl, even if it is a female, this is dooming them both to certain death.
In regards to anything else, you honestly can't.
The general rule of thumb for stocking aquariums is "an inch of fish per gallon" and most bettas are two inches, so you're already over stocked with a one gallon bowl.
You should also suggest to his friend that it's not a wise thing he is doing.
Not to mention even though bettas *can* survive without a heater, anything else you would put in there would most likely need a heater. Tropical fish are TROPICAL, remember that.
Also in regards to keeping your betta "company" bettas ARE solitary creatures as well all know they can't even stand their own kind, hell even mating is a dangerous and potentially life threatening process, as a result bettas by nature are NOT fish friendly fish.
Sure it depends on the individual betta and personalities can differ, but more than likely he has no need for a companion.
But I'm sure he would love a bigger home.

Answer 3

Bettas are brightly colored because they live in the swamps. I had a beta and I changed the water twice a year. They do well in bowls because they gulp air. You can put them in a very large aquarium with other fish because they will mark out a territory and the other fish learn to avoid the area. I'm not sure how big the territory is though.

Answer 4

Bro, think you have some pretty good answers and suggestions already!

Points to note:
1. Bowls are really bad for any fish, not even goldfishes! Notice the hurricane you create every morning when you drink your coffee? Active fishes, like Betta, can create and be stuck in such hurricane when got disturb. You wouldn't want your pet to get dizzy, would you?
2. Betta usually only attack he's own kind. So, any other fishes that can fight for his own food, can live with Betta.
3. Give your pet enough space to live in, don't let them stay in size of 'prison cell'.
4. Sometime things can work out for a short period (like in dating); sometime things happen by luck/chances (like strike Lottery). Not everything you see is true and remain true always.

Cheers!

Answer 5

A fish bowl is really only ideal for one fish, preferably a beta since they breathe through gills and a labyrinth system that enables them to take air into their systems from the surface. You also have to consider the water temperature before deciding on other fish. You did not state if your beta was a male or female. Male betas can be housed with any other fish of comparable size and will only fight with other male betas. If your fish is a female beta then you could get another female or two for company since only the males fight. Check your local aquarium shop and look at their community tanks to get an idea of what size and type of fish you would like to add.

Answer 6

I had my Betta in a 3 gallon tank with 4 neon tetra. The tetra were quick enough to avoid the Betta and after a week, the Betta gave up on trying to catch them. I know the tank was overcrowded but it was pretty cool. After that tank, my Betta went into a larger 10 gallon tank with lots of other fish. He hasn't been aggressive to any of the fish and he is actually a bit scared of my angelfish.

Answer 7

bettas can be kept with other fish, however anything under 2.5gallons without a filter is too small to handle more than one fish. it would be super stressing on the fish, and yes, it may work for a while, but I promise your friend will run into trouble eventually, it's too much of a bioload and too tight of quarters.

if you wish to keep fish with bettas get a 10gallon tank with a filter and heater.

Answer 8

While you can do it, what you should do and what you can do are different things. Putting most any fish in a bowl is a death sentence to the fish.

Answer 9

Bowls are for food, not fish. Get your betta a proper size tank with a filter and heater then you can consider more fish

Answer 10

Okay, if you don't want to hear the truth, then go ahead and just do what you want because honest answers to your question, apparently, aren't what you want to hear. It really upsets me when people ask questions, but then don't want to hear the truth and the best answer. Compatibility issues and bowls being bad don't seem to be things you want to listen to, so, please just go ahead and listen to your friend, because, it appears that he knows more than any of the far more experienced aquarists on here.