Is it possible to have "fighting fish" with other fishes?

Question

I had a big fish tank and about 15 different fresh water fish. I also had a "fighter fish". Every time a day passed another fish would die. The fighter fish was actually killing the fishes.

It was a Siamese fighting fish.

Answer 1

It is definitely possible and lots of people keep bettas in community tanks; but some bettas are more aggressive than others and it sounds like you got a mean one. Apparently, he'd do better in a divided tank or a small tank of his own. If you want a betta in your community tank, don't be afraid to try again though. Just keep a few things in mind:

Some betta varieties, crowntails and plakats for example, are much more aggressive than say, the veiltail. Females tend to be even less aggressive. So, choose a variety that's known to play nice for better odds of success.

No matter what their gender or variety, most bettas are going to be aggressive toward other slow-swimming fish with long, flowing fins like guppies, gouramis, and angelfish. So, if you mix them, you're looking at a high probability for trouble.

Bettas, especially males, also count as slow-swimming fish with long, flowing fins and will themselves be harassed by nippers like tiger barbs, danios, and large tetras.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I've always understood that fighting fish, or bettas, will fight with any other fish in the tank. But when we were looking at getting my daughter a fish, the clerk told us it owuld leave another fish alone, only if it had a smaller and less beautiful tail. Personally, I'd still keep them separate.

Answer 3

Male Betta's (Siamese Fighting Fish) Cannot be in a tank with any other fish at all, even other Betta's. A female betta won't kill the other fish, but they're very plain. I have a Betta tank with a divider down the center, so I have a male Betta on each side. Even though the divider's there they still want to get at each other. And a side note-Angel Fish will kill other fish too, but they're salt water.

Answer 4

Bettas or "fighting fish" are not at all aggressive excet to other bettas. There may be an exception here and there, but since they are slow moving compared to other fishes to have one actually able to kill another fish is very, very unusual to say the least.

MM

Answer 5

Sounds like you just had an exceptionally mean betta. I have bettas in most of my community tanks, but once in a while I come across a bad one who enjoys killing. Usually any aggressive community fish gets fed to my sunfish after they fail to fit in with any of my setups.

Answer 6

Beta Splendis or Siamese fighters are Only aggressive towards their own species, you will find that they do quite well in a community tank with other species and no aggression issues, if placed with a Male or female siamese it will cause problems

Answer 7

Some types of fish like Beta fish can only be with Beta fish.
Yes they will kill each other if they aren't from the same "clan"
Hope that helps;]

Answer 8

You shouldn't keep a fighting fish with any other fish, unless you want more dead fish. Use a seperate tank or make a partition out of a 2 way mirror.

Answer 9

I'm going to guess that when you say "fighting fish", that you're talking about bettas. I have had these in a tank with goldfish and african dwarf frogs in the past. They left the frogs alone, but would keep picking on my other fish. My advice would be that it's best to leave then in a tank alone.

Answer 10

You need large, aggressive fish in the tank in order to survive. An angel fish is a good choice.