Is it possible to put one male betta in a community fishtank with tetras, guppies, algae eaters..?

Answer 1

There is a question I am asked constantly.

Can I keep other fish with my Bettas?

Well the answer is complicated, a nice big maybe

1st lets see what you have;
a 5g tank or larger 10-20g being ideal?
1 betta male or female?
A desire to have an amazing home for your betta and other fish?

The tank:
The tank itself should contain 1 or more caves as space allows, plenty of plants, fabric or real. A smooth substrate, fine gravel or sand. A Filter, light and a heater. The filter should be adjusted so the water current is minimal.

I have bettas in various community tanks. I have had only 1 that was not going to be friends with his tank mates and so he lives alone.

So the list of critters I have with my bettas;
Danios, Rasboras, Black Neon tetras, wild guppies, African dwarf frogs, Cherry Shrimp*, Ghost Shrimp*, Cory cats, Zebra loaches.

Things I would never keep in with a betta;
Gouramis, Angelfish, goldfish, most tetras, tiger barbs, cichlids, crabs or crayfish, anything bigger than a betta, anything thats a fin nipper.

Always research any fish before putting it in your aquarium.

In my experience you need to watch the other fish for picking on the betta than the betta picking on the other fish.

When introducing new fish to a bettas tank, let them float for about a half hour, long enough for the betta to investigate them and get bored. Bettas are very curious and will follow and examine new tank mates very closely. Try checking your bettas fish aggression with a colorful and very fast male wild(feeder) guppy, if he kills it you know he is not suitable for a community tank. Odds are he will play chase with it and never actually hurt it. Out of the many bettas I have owned only 1 killed the guppy, she was very determined.

The next thing you need is a backup tank, all prepped and ready to be home. Be ready to move the betta to it if things go bad. Sometimes bettas will just let other fish bully them, sad but true. Remove betta immediately if this happens to him or he could be bullied to death. It is easier to catch and move a betta than other fish.

Remember each betta will react differently to tank mates. Be observant and careful and things will go your way. The larger the tank the less likely your betta will go ballistic on his new friends.

Also remember that no matter how big your tank is, do not place 2 male bettas in it or keep a male with females.

So now that your an educated betta keeper, when people tell you that bettas kill any other fish you can laugh in their faces and tell them they are full of betta myth BS.

Heres some vids of my 20g tank with Vash the Betta
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4TUmWSiHhs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4fbTPhlvRA

*Some bettas see shrimp as dinner and will eat them, same for snails.

Answer 2

For a six gallon. I'd say ONE betta. You can't put two male, or two female betta's in one tank without them fighting. Or, a male and a female, the male will kill her, most likely. You couldn't have a fancy guppy in a six gallon, and have it live happily. Nor, can you with neon tetras, because you need a group of those, at least five or more. So, Perhaps you should get a male, OR a female betta fish. : ] They're quite lovely. But make sure not to run a filter in there, or if you do make it where it doesn't make the water move a lot. The betta will not be happy, specially if it is a male betta, because they like to make bubble nests. Good luck with what ever fish you chose. And, I'm glad you're not like some of these people here tonight, asking if you can fit multiple six inch fish in a five gallon tank. At least you picked smaller fish. : ] Like I said, good luck!

Answer 3

If the other fish are the more docile ones and not the fin nipper kind of fish then it is possible to have a Betta in a tank with other fish. There is a good chance however that the betta will be territorial and harass the other fish, or vice versa. You can give it a try and watch the fish carefully. If you notice anyone with nipped fins or obviously dead/severely stressed fish take the Betta back out. I was able to have a Betta in a 55 gallon tank with nothing but peaceful community fish and lots of plants, and everyone ended up getting along fine, but this isn't always the case with all Betta's in community tanks.

Answer 4

Poor Bettas, they get such a bad rap from people that haven't taken the time to actually learn about them. A male betta will do just fine in a community tank. Some people do have problems mixing a male betta with long finned fish such as male guppies, but so have no problem at all.

MM

Answer 5

I once had a beta fish in a tank with goldfish. The fish department person told me that it would be fine, since the goldfish aren't aggressive. As long as there is only one beta, it should be fine with the tetras and guppies. However, the size of your tank could play a factor (smaller tanks with many fish=aggression), talk to the person who you buy the fish from. They will have more knowledge on the subject!

Answer 6

YES!! I have a 20 gallon tank with mollys, guppies, plectorals and others and I bought a betta, no problems now and it has been six months. But only one betta per tank.

Answer 7

Male bettas are only aggressive with other male bettas. One would be fine in a community tank of peaceful, non-nippy fish (stay away from tiger barbs.)

Answer 8

they do absolutely fine in community tanks
as long as you don't have any longfinned fish in there like a male guppy

The only no no is female/male or male/male
But you can also put a minimum of 3 females in at least a 10 gallon tank

Hope that helps
Good luck


EB

Answer 9

Betas are aggressive, destructive fish when put in a tank with other fish, so if you're going to put it in a tank, make sure you watch it for a week or two and watch for damage on the fins of the other fish. If you see damaged fins, or in the case of the tetras, dead fish, take the beta out. They really belong in their own tank.

Answer 10

I really dont think so your betta may feel agressive and want to kill them. On the other hand they are siamiese fighting fish with male bettas i wouldnt risk it.