Which tank mates to choose for pugnacious bettas

03.04.2023 15:39

Such popular aquarium fish as bettas are famous among aquarists for their pugnacious nature.

However, one should not assume that this habit makes it impossible to find neighbors for them.

Betta is ideally compatible with harmless fish, including catfish, swordtails, scaly-sided fish, tetras, kuhli and danios.

Gouras, Ornatus and Rainbowfish can demonstrate good compatibility.

You shouldn't expect the same from keeping bettas next to angelfish, neons, labeos and cardinals, but there will be few fights between the species.

Fishes
Photo: © Belnovosti

But the idea of adding individuals less than 4-5 cm in length to the aquarium with the fighters should be abandoned.

It is not an option to buy brightly colored fish with long fins from a pet store - they will be regarded by the betta as enemies, and we all know how a betta acts if it believes that someone can take away its female or lay claim to its territory.

Likewise, you should not place large and predatory fish in the same aquarium with bettas: this time, the bettas themselves will be in danger.

Elena Shimanovskaya Author: Elena Shimanovskaya Internet resource editor