Bettas are more often kept in standing water vases than standard aquariums. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t house a betta with other fish. If you have an aquarium and are interested in keeping a betta, there are some things to think about before introducing the fish to the tank. Betta fish have unique needs compared to other types of fish. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about keeping a betta in an aquarium with other fish and betta fish care.
Why Can’t You Keep A Betta Fish In An Aquarium With Other Fish?
Betta fish have special needs that make it difficult to keep them with other fish. Bettas are carnivorous and love eating other fish. You need to make sure that any fish you keep with a betta is either too big to eat or fast enough to evade the betta’s appetite. Bettas are also very active swimmers and like to jump out of the water. If you put a betta in an aquarium with other fish, the betta is likely to eat the other fish and scare them into jumping out of the water and dying.
What To Look For When Choosing A Tank For Your Betta
The first thing you need to do when choosing a tank for your betta is to make sure the water is warm enough. Bettas come from tropical climates so the water in the tank needs to be between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Another important thing to think about is how many gallons of water go in the tank. In general, the bigger the tank the better.
Bettas are active fish and like to swim back and forth in the tank. For an aquarium to be a good home for a betta, it needs to be at least 1-2 gallons per inch of fish. So for a betta that is about 2 inches long, you need a minimum tank size of 3 gallons. If you have multiple bettas in the same tank you will need a bigger tank to account for their extra activity.
Tips For Keeping Bettas And Other Fish Together
Some fish are big enough to avoid the betta’s attention. If your betta is well fed, he may not go after these fish. Other fish are fast enough to evade the betta’s attention. Some common options to keep in an aquarium with a betta are:
– Corydoras – These are small and peaceful fish that can be kept in large schools.
– Dwarf gourami – These are smaller fish that do best in groups.
– Platy – These are schooling fish that do best in groups.
– Guppy – These are schooling fish that do best in groups.
– Danios – These are schooling fish that do best in groups.
– Endler’s guppy – These are schooling fish that do best in groups.
How To Avoid Problems When Keeping A Betta With Other Fish
If you follow the tips above, you can avoid having problems when keeping a betta with other fish. The best way to make sure your betta thrives in an aquarium with other fish is to be careful about the fish you choose to keep in the tank. If you are not sure about whether your fish will get along with your betta, it is best to keep them separated from the start.
If you already have fish in the tank and you notice they are being picked on by the betta, it’s best to remove the betta. If you are keeping a betta in an aquarium with other fish and want to make sure your betta is happy, follow the tips above. You want to make sure the tank is the right size and that you choose fish that can live peacefully with your betta.
