Betta tank mates: safe picks and fish to avoid
8 species from the AquaLog care guide · Updated
In short: Good betta tank mates are calm, short-finned fish that live at a different level, such as corydoras, kuhli loaches and harlequin rasboras, plus nerite snails. Avoid fin-nippers like tiger barbs, long-finned fish like guppies, other bettas and small shrimp, and give a community at least the largest minimum tank in the table, not the betta's 20 L.
The betta is rated aggressive in the AquaLog care guide and lives at 24–30 °C and pH 6–7.5. Seriously Fish advises that it is best kept alone, and that a male may treat fish with long, trailing fins or unusual shapes as rivals. Tank mates are possible, but only the right ones.
How we chose these fish
We picked each fish by hand, then checked it against the care data: its temperature and pH ranges overlap the betta's, it is not on the betta's avoid list, its own avoid list does not name the betta, and the stocking checker flags no conflict. A pure filter of the data is not enough; it would let in fin-nipping barbs and cold-water fish.
The betta needs only 20 L alone, but a community needs the largest minimum in the table below for every fish in it, plus room for each group.
The species
| Species | Min. tank | Temperature | pH | Temperament | Group | Care level | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kuhli loachPangio kuhlii | 75 L (20 gal) | 23–29 °C | 5.5–7.5 | Peaceful | 5+ | Beginner | Named as a good tank mate in the betta's care data. Rated peaceful, lives at the bottom and has no long fins to provoke a male. |
| Sterbai corydorasCorydoras sterbai | 90 L (24 gal) | 24–30 °C | 6–7.5 | Peaceful | 6+ | Beginner | Its 24–30 °C range matches the betta's exactly. A calm bottom group that keeps out of the betta's way. |
| Bronze corydorasCorydoras aeneus | 75 L (20 gal) | 22–27 °C | 6–7.8 | Peaceful | 6+ | Beginner | Corydoras are named as good betta tank mates. Keep the tank at the cooler end of the betta's range, as bronzes top out at 27 °C. |
| Harlequin rasboraTrigonostigma heteromorpha | 60 L (16 gal) | 22–28 °C | 5.5–7.5 | Peaceful | 8+ | Beginner | Named as a good tank mate in the betta's care data, and Seriously Fish says some small cyprinids suit a betta. Rated peaceful and short-finned. |
| Rummynose tetraHemigrammus rhodostomus | 90 L (24 gal) | 24–28 °C | 5.5–7 | Peaceful | 8+ | Intermediate | A peaceful, short-finned tetra for warm water. Its pH range tops out at 7, so check your tap water first. |
| Bristlenose plecoAncistrus cirrhosus | 110 L (29 gal) | 22–28 °C | 6–7.8 | Peaceful | 1 | Beginner | A peaceful algae grazer that spends the day on wood and glass, away from the betta. Needs a bigger tank than the betta alone. |
| Nerite snailNeritina natalensis | 20 L (5 gal) | 20–28 °C | 7–8.2 | Peaceful | 1 | Beginner | Named as a good betta tank mate. Needs pH 7 or above, so keep the water between pH 7 and 7.5. |
| Amano shrimpCaridina multidentata | 40 L (11 gal) | 18–28 °C | 6.5–7.8 | Peaceful | 5+ | Beginner | Larger than cherry shrimp, which the betta's data says to avoid. Some bettas still hunt shrimp, so give plenty of plant cover. |
Which fish should not live with a betta?
- Another betta, guppies, tiger barbs and cherry shrimp: all on the betta's own avoid list. Guppies' long fins invite attacks, tiger barbs nip fins, and cherry shrimp get eaten.
- Fin-nipping tetras: the serpae tetra, black skirt tetra and silvertip tetra all list the betta among fish to avoid. Seriously Fish describes serpae and tiger barbs as poor matches for slow, long-finned fish.
- Other labyrinth fish: the dwarf gourami, honey gourami, pearl gourami and sparkling gourami all list the betta to avoid.
- Tiny fish the betta may chase or eat: the ember tetra, chili rasbora, pygmy corydoras and celestial pearl danio each list the betta to avoid.
- Fast or busy fish: the zebra danio and endler list the betta to avoid.
- Cold-water fish: fancy goldfish want 16–23 °C and koi need a pond of at least 3800 L. Neither belongs with a tropical betta.
What about otocinclus?
Our otocinclus care data lists the betta among fish to avoid, and their temperature ranges overlap only at 24–27 °C. Seriously Fish suggests small cyprinids and loaches as betta companions, not otocinclus, so we left it out.
How to add tank mates safely
- Use plenty of plants and cover so other fish can break line of sight.
- Watch the first days for chasing or torn fins, and have a spare tank or divider ready. Some bettas will not accept any company.
- Read how to choose compatible tank mates for the five checks behind this list.