what tropical fish DO NOT do well with bettas? Are Kissing Fish ok?

Question

I have a 10 gallon tank with a male betta, 8 neon tetras, and a pleco. They all seem to get along fine but does anyone know about any other problems that this might have?

I have a 10 gallon tank with a male betta(who is the least aggressive betta I have ever seen), 8 neon tetras, and a pleco that is considered small that the professionals at the pet store suggested for our tank. I visited the pet store earlier and asked about kissing fish for my tank and the people there said that they would be fine. They told me to see how the betta did with the tetras because they are fin nippers(he is not bothered in the least bit and tends to stay near the top rather then the bottom and he even swims with them sometimes) the man said if he was not bothered it would be fine to get a kissing fish because they would get a long and the kisser would not grow to a foot long over night and if he did get to big they could be taken out and put into a different tank. I am also intrested in getting an African Butterfly Fish would that be ok to go along with the betta? They seem to be very peaceful wish but because my betta swims near the top would he be bothered?

Answer 1

First of all, I wish people would stop spouting how betta's can't live with anything. Instead of following the old stupid advice you got - wherever - try for yourself taking your betta out of that little cup you keep them in and putting them in a real tank with some other fish. You would be amazed at what lies you've been told.

Now, there are really three characteristics in fish you need to avoid, and you can figure out for yourself whether a fish is suitable or not by simply researching them (a little bit of research would have shown you kissing gourami's get MASSIVE and need at least 50 gallon tanks).

1. Fish that look like the betta or have long, flashy finnage. These will attract attention and possibly aggression from the betta.

2. Anything known for nipping, like most barbs, serpae and black widow tetras. Bettas are slow and their long fins are ripe for the nipping.

3. Anything territorial, as then we'll end up with conflict in the tank, and bettas tend to come out on the bottom. This can include fish like cichlids, gouramis, and chinese algae eaters.

4. Anything that can eat them. Well, this point should be moot since it wouldn't fit in your tank, but since you were considering Kissers...

If I might make a suggestion, you should add a little school of Corydora catfish to your tank. Like neons, they are not high waste so they would fit in your tank no problem. They use a different part of the tank then the other fish which means they'll fit in better. And they're peaceful and keep to themselves.

Answer 2

Most small tropicals do fine with bettas. Avoid guppies due to their long fins. Avoid gouramis of any size. Avoid nippers like many of the medium and large sized tetras. I keep mine with platies, cories, and shrimp and they do fine together.

Your 10 gallon is already fully stocked, even a little overstocked, in my opinion. Two tanks are twice as much fun. ;)

Be sure to get a larger tank, since kissing gouramis get pretty big and butterflies just need space. I'd aim for 30-50 gallons. Also, they're both too aggressive to be kept with small fish like neons and bettas. I'm not sure they're a great idea together either. Do a little more resesarch...

Answer 3

Male bettas do just fine with most other community tropical fish. The myth that they fight with everything else put in the tank is just that....a MYTH.

Never house two males together, but I think you already know that. Also, do not house them with any fish with long flowing fins like guppies, as it will confuse them or with any fin nippers such as barbs and gouramis.

Other peaceful fish are fine.



EDIT: African Butterfly fish can be very aggressive and are very territorial. They do not like other fish swimming in their space (which is the top of the tank). I wouldn't recommend getting one to put with your betta. The gourami is ok for now, but you are definately going to have to look into getting a larger tank soon. They can get large, and the tank just isn't big enough for that many fish.

Answer 4

The biggest problem I see in your current tank is that the pleco (especially if it's a common pleco) will eventually outgrow the tank - these can get up to 18".

Fish that shouldn't be kept with male bettas include anything large enough to eat them, aggressive fish like cichlids, other bettas (male or female, unless the female is conditioned for breeding), any fin-nippers (tetras, barbs, puffers), closely related fish (this includes gouramis), and any fish with long, flowing fins that may be mistaken for another betta (usually male guppies). Since kissing fish are gouramis, and they have the potential to grow to a foot in length, and are territorial where other fish are concerned, they probably wouldn't make a good choice for the tank.

Answer 5

For you first question, the simplest answer to that is that bettas do not get along any long-finned fish as well as most fish that they are related to. Which kind of answers your second questions. Gouramis are in that same family, I wouldn't chance it with the kissing gouramis.

Answer 6

i wouldn't try to risk it because both fish are semi-aggressive and the kissing gourami will dominate the angel fish by looking like that its kissing the fish.it is actually acting aggressive too.the kissing gourami also gets 12 inches so its gonna get bigger than the angelfish because the angelfish gets 6 inches and stress is one of the ways that fish can die. since you already have the angelfish i would suggest for you to get some less aggressive fish that gets the same size or a bit bigger that wont hurt it in anyway. You can get tetras they are really colorful as a group.

Answer 7

Your tank is really over stocked. The betta and 8 tetras are ok. I wouldnt add anything more to that stocking. You pleco, Im guessing you have a common pleco, needs a 55g tank.

Answer 8

gouramis? kissing gouramis (as well as plecos) grow too large for a 10 gallon tank.

"kissing" is actually their attack and they can kill smaller fish -- and usually do. tetras would be a great lunch for a large gourami.

Answer 9

bettas do well with most fish, just avoid larger aggressive chichlids and gouramis. These fish tend to bully the smaller slow moving bettas to death.
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article38.html
http://www.badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article44.html
http://www.tropicalresources.net/phpBB2/agreement_contract.php

Answer 10

the kissing part cool. but don't know the answer 2 the first question