What Fish Can Live With Bettas?

The betta is one of the most popular fish for beginning fish keepers worldwide. They can connect with their owners and are quite gregarious and resilient. Sometimes you might want to add other fish to your aquarium with your bettas. So naturally, you’d wonder what fish can live with bettas.

In this article, I’ll discuss the best betta-compatible fish and provide details on their needs. I’ve selected the ten fish that can live with bettas.

What Fish can bettas live with?

Any fish that has a small appearance and isn’t predatorial can easily live with betta fish in an aquarium.

If the fish you choose is aggressive and territorial you might want to consider other options.

Mainly Tetras, Zebras, Guppies Mollies, and some breeds of Catfish can happily live with bettas.

So, if you have a large tank and have plenty of hiding space any of the following fish can be a great tank mate for your bettas.

Best 10 Fish that can live with bettas fish:

1. Scissortail Rasbora
2. Corydoras Catfish
3. Mollies
4. Neon and Ember Tetra
5. Feeder Guppies
6. Harlequin Rasbora
7. Otocinclus Catfish
8. Cardinal Tetra
9. Clown Pleco
10. Zebra Danio

1. Scissortail Rasbora

The Scissortail Rasbora is the Rhinogobius genus’ most popular and well-known species. It is a fish that lives in the Orinoco and Amazon rivers. 

It is a freshwater fish that is between two and three inches long. This fish is suitable for beginners and is simple to care for. They are amiable and don’t eat a lot. 

And they can coexist with other fish, which is advantageous for novices. They are also compatible with bettas and guppies living in the same tank. 

It is estimated that the scissortail Rasbora can live for five years and grow to 3.5 inches. Temperature and pH levels must be between 73-78°F and 6.6-7°F for them to thrive.

2. Corydoras Catfish

For amateur and expert aquarists, Corydoras catfish are the ideal fish. These fish are typically found in a lot of home aquariums. 

Again, Corydoras are non-aggressive and straightforward to maintain, and they perform best in groups of at least five fish. 

They come in a spectrum of hues, from stunning red, blue, and orange tones to natural jet black. 

Corydoras catfish come in sizes ranging from ten centimeters to five and a half inches, so your tank will never be overcrowded. 

Because of their lack of aggression, this fish is ideal for newcomers. They are also fantastic for seasoned aquarists due to their low maintenance needs.

3. Mollies

One kind of guppy is the molly. Because they can coexist alongside betta fish, another variety of guppy, mollies are an intriguing fish. 

These two varieties of fish may coexist peacefully in the same tank and with the same water. Mollies are a delightful species in a tank with betta fish. The fact that they are compact and straightforward to maintain is a significant bonus. 

Additionally, betta fish are more likely than other fish to be the lone fish in a tank and have a reputation for being calm. They are thus a fantastic option for someone seeking a quiet tank. 

Again, Mollies have a five-year lifespan and may reach lengths of three inches. They require a pH of 7.7–7.8 and a temperature of 68–82 °F.

4. Neon and Ember Tetras

The neon tetra is the most common fish because it is social, energetic, and active. They have a bright bottom and a dark top. The neon tetra with bettas can make a good pair.

And neon tetra will interact with the betta fish since they spend most of their time swimming in the middle of the water. 

Besides, Neon tetras are vividly colored with a red body and a yellow-orange tail fin and are a little bigger than neon tetras. 

For them to feel at home, a tank with a minimum 15-gallon size and lots of plants and decorations are required. 

Furthermore, they are highly active fish that enjoy swimming and observing their environment.

5. Feeder Guppies

Guppies make the perfect companion fish for a betta fish. They are little fish that can survive on their own in a tank and don’t need a lot of room. Bettas with guppies maintain an evergreen bond.

They are straightforward to feed and have a lower pH than other fish. Guppies are also satisfied to live alone, making introducing one as a tank mate simpler than adding schooling fish. 

They are extremely friendly as long as you appropriately introduce them to the other fish in the tank and often feed them. Guppies may survive for two to five years if given the proper care.

You might also like: Should I Add Salt To My Guppy Tank?

6. Harlequin Rasbora

Given its similar look, the Harlequin Rasbora is an ideal fish to maintain with Bettas. They are a species of fish that belong to the Rasbora genus. 

They are well-liked fish frequently found in aquariums and are a fantastic choice for betta owners. 

Both bettas and harlequin rasboras require a lot of room because they are busy fish. They must live together in a tank of at least 10 gallons large. 

Pellets and food flakes will need to be offered to them as a diet. They must be fed at least three times daily, and their tank must be covered with a lid. 

In general, rasboras live on average five years and grow to about 1.5 inches in length if you decide to keep them in the same tank with your betta.

7. Otocinclus Catfish

Certain species could be better for you if you’ve had trouble keeping betta fish and guppies in the same tank. These fish are the sort of bottom-dwellers that betta fish usually prefer. 

The Otocinclus catfish is one of these options for fish. This bottom-dwelling fish won’t become much bigger than a quarter in size. 

Both online and at most pet stores you can find them. Otocinclus catfish are filter feeders. Thus they will help your aquarium’s filtration system function naturally. 

And they’ll also consume any tiny dead fish you have in your aquarium. They also don’t need a lot of upkeep. 

There are 3-5 years of life expectancy for Otocinclus catfish, and their length is between 1.5-2 inches. 

And a pH between 6 and 7.5, and temperatures between 72-81°F, provide the best conditions for their survival.

8. Cardinal Tetras

The Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo basins are home to a large population of live-bearing freshwater fish known as the cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi). 

The cardinal tetra can spawn eggs like many live-bearing fish cans. The eggs hatch into fry in under 24 hours. 

The tranquil cardinal tetra thrives in a water habitat that is quite disturbed. They are frequently utilized in ponds and aquariums. 

Tiny, live insects and even small fish are favorites of theirs to consume. They like moving in groups and are schooling fish as well. 

And the lifespan of a cardinal tetra is up to 5 years, and its maximum size is 2 inches. Cardinal tetra requires a temperature of 73 to 80 °F and a pH of 5.5-7.

9. Clown Plecos

Clown Plecos are a brand-new species of fish for aquariums. Due to the absence of the pleco’s distinctive features, they are not classic pleco. 

Clown Plecos are significantly more fragile and tiny than a typical pleco. The clown-like marks on their body serve as their primary means of identification. Despite being new to the aquarium industry, they are rather distinctive. 

They are sometimes known to “chase” fish and will follow them around the aquarium. They can conceal themselves among the rocks and crevices and are a mediocre swimmer. 

Since they are relatively docile and won’t annoy your betta fish in the tank, they are not an aggressive fish species. In captivity, Clown Plecos enjoy an average lifespan of about ten years. When a betta fish gets curious, they have tough skin to protect itself.

10. Zebra Danios

Zebra danios, an Asian fish, have a long history of being used as farm labor. Because they are versatile and can thrive in various water conditions, these fish are an excellent choice for a starting fishkeeper and with Betta fish. 

Besides, Zebra danios are small fish that grow to barely six centimeters in length. They have a unique design of dots and stripes in brown and white or black and white. 

They have a long, narrow snout, a large mouth, and a somewhat streamlined body. Because they are omnivores, they will devour both plant and animal food. They need a planted tank with many surface areas and hiding places.

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