Ideal fish to go with a Betta?

Question

I am currently in the process of cycling a 10 gallon fish tank with the goal of keeping seven fish, including one male Betta in it. As such I am wondering what fish would go well with the Betta, any suggestions?

In regards to the tank that I am using - it is heated with a power filter as well. There are quite a few decorative plants in the tank with the larger ones near the filter both to hide it and to break up the current a bit.

The reason I want to only keep seven fish in the tank is primarily due to the size of the tank - I have been told that more than about 10 inches of fish in a 10 gallon of tank can start causing problems. At this point in time there is a single platy in the tank in order to get it cycled.

Answer 1

Which fish would be compatible with Betta fish! Although Bettas have their territorial side, it is possible to set up a community tank for them where they can live peaceably.

Male Betta fish instinctually fight off other male betta fish or any other fish who looks like another betta fish. In other words, if the other fish has the long, flowing fins of a betta; that is reason enough for his instincts to kick in and he will go on the attack - nipping the other fish's fins! So, a general rule is to avoid putting any fish with long, flowing finnage in a community tank with a Betta fish. On the other hand, there are the fish who will bite your Betta's fins if they are put together.

Some examples of fish to NOT put in with your Betta in the community tank are: guppies, goldfish, angelfish, guaramis, silver dollars, tiger barbs (cherry barbs or o.k.), some of the larger tetras, and, of course; another betta fish.

Some good tank mates for Betta fish are: platy, rasbora, white cloud minnow, plecos, corydoras, plecostomus, neon tetras, oto and cory cats. Of course, you know that you need a heater and filtration in your aquarium for all of the above!

Remember that Betta fish are not really fast swimmers, so you want to avoid the type of fish who may want to try to outswim your Betta and harass him and bite and nip at his fins! (Like the barbs!)

:-D

Answer 2

I think it's great that you want to make sure you don't overstock your tank.

I'd go for any 6 of the following:
white cloud mountain minnows
neon tetras
black neon tetras
cherry barbs
guppies (not fancy tailed ones though)
rasboras
endler's livebearers

Or you could add 3 platies (they are big poopers, I wouldn't add more than 3, plus they'll have babies).

I would not recommend cories, unless you are going to get pandas or pygmys, both of which stay small. Cories are social fish and need to be kept in groups of 3+, the more the merrier. They will not be happy being alone or in a pair. They also need sand as a substrate instead of gravel or their barbels can erode. Also, no gourami, they will fight with the betta (look very similar).

Check out www.aquahobby.com if you want a site with a lot of great information.

Answer 3

everyone is saying corys, and while they are nice fish, there not really idea for a 10gal tank.. Alot of the fish suggested wont really do well in a 10gallon tank..
i would suggest getting a group of neon tetras, they like to school so a group of 5-6 would be nice to watch... is there a reason you want 7 fish? you could easily get 5 neon tetras, and maybe 5 ghost shrimp, which are also very interesting to watch... African Drawf Frogs are also commonly kept with beta fish, whatever you decide to get make sure you research a bit, so you know what water tempatures and stuff they like.. Also, go you have a filter on your tank? betas dont like a very stong filter, but if you add 6 other fish to the tank you will need a filter.. you can put some plants or decorations in front of the filter slow the current some..

Answer 4

Goldfish can't go in the same tank.
Some tetras like Neons can go with a male betta.
Don't put any fish that has long fins or the betta will most likely attack it.
Platies are good too (Note: if you get a female it's most likely pregnant and then you have to figure out what to do with the fry). Same with guppies and mollies. If you don't want fry get males. Corys are always good too.

Try:
1 male betta
5 to 7 neon tetras
1 male guppy OR mollie OR platy.

OR

1 male betta
5 Turquoise Danio
1 to 3 cories/corys


I'm putting 2 African Drawf Frogs in with my male betta and neon tetras.

Answer 5

I would say 3-5 individual corys and some middle feeders that he won't chase. I would say...neon tetras or cherry barbs would be alright.

Answer 6

7 fish including the betta.. I would suggest you go for more fish personally, but keeping it at a total of 7, I would add 2 cory catfish, and 4 assorted male live bearers such as guppies, mollies or platys.

MM

Answer 7

You can at least put several corydas several bottom feeder fish or some fast moving fish so it won't get bite.

Answer 8

2 small male gouramis (honey or dwarf)
some guppies or a school of small tetras or rasboras. i have a betta that likes swimming around with smaller gouramis. its kind of weird watching a betta interact with other fish. add some shrimp -- they don't do much to the bioload except eat some detritus.

lots of plants to break sight lines is really the best option with a betta -- he needs his space and if he is staring at a guppy all day he is much more likely to chase him around.

Answer 9

I don't know what would go with it, but don't put it in with goldfish and don't put two males together. They will kill each other.