Which type of fish will live happily with a male betta?

Question

I was given a 10 gallon tank and 2 fish (1 male betta & a small orange fish- maybe tetra). The tank is too large for just the 2 fish, so I want to get a few more. What kind of fish can I get that won't fight with the betta or eat the smaller one? I have a water heater, filter, gravel, and 5 plastic plants, if this makes any difference. Any suggestions for my new tank?
By the way, I am a college student and I need inexpensive fish.

Answer 1

Welcome to the hobby!
For a person on a budget I would suggest a small school of tetras. Something like neons, rummy nose or penguin tetras would be nice in a group of 5-6 and also wouldn't crowd the tank. After that 2-3 small cory catfish would also be a good addition to the tank. They are inexpensive and quite active and fun to watch.

Another way to watch your fish budget will be to seek out an independent fish store, not one of the big chain places. While the fish might be a few cents more i the smaller shop, they are much more likely to be healthy and not infest your tank with a nasty disease. Saves on medications and replacement fish!

Hope that helps

MM

Answer 2

Betta don't really like small tanks, and bowls. The ideal setup would be a heated, and filtered 5 gallon tank. (2.5 gallon tanks work well, but require more frequent cleaning.) That said betta can live in a small bowl/tank, but you'll need a 100% water chane every 4-7 days. Note that using the rule of thumb for slim bodied fish you can only keep 1 inch of fish per gallon. So a 2 gallon tank with a single betta is already "full". They are best without tank mates. I've had bettas in large community tanks, and honestly they generally got picked on rather than attacked other fish. (My longest lived bettas lived alone. ) In a small tank (5 gallons, or less) they tend to be rather aggressive as the whole tank is their territory. Of course aggressive varies from betta to betta. Lastly realize that male betta can't live with betta of either sex. (Females will fight, but can often work things out if given enough space. 5-10 gallons per female.)

Answer 3

Bettas are actually usually the victims in community tanks rather than the aggressors, as other fish tend to nip at their long fins. You need passive, easy-going tankmates with bettas.

Bettas and neon tetras tend to work okay together, but some especially aggressive betta males will herd the tetras and chase them around, or even eat them. Otocinclus fish (a small type of catfish) also work well, but again an especially aggressive male may chase it around.

Answer 4

I have a male betta and it is in a tank with a kissing fish, a cory catfish, and a small swordtail male. He tends to chase the swordtail but I had to keep them together. I have a much larger tank with other sword tails and the betta tends to chase them. They will also do well with tetra's, barbs, platy's and dwarf rainbows. Good luck and enjoy your fish tank!

Answer 5

I have bettas with, guppies, zebra danios and black neon tertras in a few tanks. Also pygmy cory's 4+ or ghost shrimp for cleanup duties. I'd get more of whatever tetra you have they like to be in groups of 5+.

Just add a few small caves the betta can use for cover and peace of mind and it will be a wonderful aquarium. Just make sure the caves or whatever you get has no sharp edges or it will injure your betta.

Answer 6

i would get tetras or barbs, or maybe a female fighting fish. if you get more tetras keep an eye on the betta because tetras can sometimes get agressive. avoid pretty fish with long flashy tails as it will aggravate the betta. but should be fine if you hav a cave or something the betta can hide in or claim as his territory.

Answer 7

if it is a tetra, get more of the same or similar tetras. tetras are schooling fish, they need to be in groups, maybe 4 or 5 for you.

don't get any fish that are flashy or have long fins, your betta will attack them. and don't get goldfish, they will get way too big for a 10 gallon, and they might attack your betta.

if you get a divider, you could add another betta, just be sure to rehome the tetra.

Answer 8

Avoid large tetras, and barbs. Avoid showy finned fish like a guppy. Avoid goldfish entirely (too many issues to list). Avoid large, or slow fish. Avoid gourami (too betta like in behavior). Also remember that a betta is more like to get be pick on than the reverse.

Ideal tank mates-
-platy/swordtails
-cory catfish
-snails
-frogs
-danio, and minnows
-ghost shrimp
-non sailfin mollies
-sucker fish other than common/chinese/golden algae eaters, and common pleco
-smaller killifish

Answer 9

Angel fish are really good companions for bettas and they do nicely with tetras, if that's what you think the other fish is. I don't know what the price range is though, as I rarely by angel fish. I breed them.

Answer 10

Sorry to say but mixing a betta with any type of a fish is not the best idea you can deal with it but it still isnt great...goldfishes or tetras