Tank mates for bettas

We checked bettas against all 149 other species in our database for water temperature, pH, size, fin nipping, predation and aggression.

Good tank mates for bettas include nerite snail, bristlenose pleco, bronze corydoras, assassin snail, ramshorn snail and african dwarf frog. Avoid angelfish, cherry shrimp and common goldfish: betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like angelfish, mistaking them for rivals.

Bettas: 24–28°C (75–82°F), pH 6–8, adult size 6.5 cm (2.6 in), minimum tank 5 gallons (19 L). Full betta fish care guide.

Check a full stocking plan

Good Compatible tank mates (50)

Shared water conditions and no known conflict. Still add fish slowly and watch them.

Caution Possible, with care (68)

These can work in the right setup, but there is a real risk. Read the reason first.

  • Neon tetra · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
  • Panda corydoras · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
  • Zebra danio · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
    • Betta fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase zebra danios, which use the same area.
    • Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Amano shrimp · 10+ gal
    • Betta fish hunts shrimp. Larger amano shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Bala shark · 230+ gal
    • Bala shark may eat bettas, especially young or small ones.
  • Black skirt tetra · 20+ gal
    • Black skirt tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Celestial pearl danio · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
    • Betta fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller celestial pearl danios.
  • Chili rasbora · 10+ gal
    • Betta fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller chili rasboras.
  • Chinese algae eater · 80+ gal
    • Chinese algae eater is aggressive. Bettas can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Clown loach · 180+ gal
    • Clown loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Convict cichlid · 29+ gal
    • Convict cichlid sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
    • Convict cichlid is aggressive. Bettas can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Denison barb · 75+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
    • Denison barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Discus · 75+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Electric blue acara · 40+ gal
    • Electric blue acara may eat bettas, especially young or small ones.
  • Ember tetra · 10+ gal
    • Betta fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller ember tetras.
  • German blue ram · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 27–28°C).
  • Ghost shrimp · 10+ gal
    • Betta fish hunts shrimp. Larger ghost shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Hillstream loach · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Jack Dempsey · 55+ gal
    • Jack Dempsey may eat bettas, especially young or small ones.
    • Jack Dempsey is aggressive. Bettas can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Kribensis · 29+ gal
    • Kribensis sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Peppered corydoras · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
  • Pictus catfish · 75+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
    • Pictus catfish may eat bettas, especially young or small ones.
  • Pygmy corydoras · 10+ gal
    • Betta fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller pygmy corydoras.
  • Rosy barb · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
    • Rosy barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Yoyo loach · 75+ gal
    • Yoyo loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Bamboo shrimp · 20+ gal
    • Betta fish hunts shrimp. Larger bamboo shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Black phantom tetra · 20+ gal
    • Black phantom tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Bleeding heart tetra · 29+ gal
    • Bleeding heart tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Bloodfin tetra · 20+ gal
    • Betta fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase bloodfin tetras, which use the same area.
    • Bloodfin tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Clown killifish · 10+ gal
    • Betta fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase clown killifish, which use the same area.
  • Diamond tetra · 20+ gal
    • Diamond tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Dwarf chain loach · 29+ gal
    • Dwarf chain loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Dwarf orange crayfish · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
    • Betta fish may attack small crustaceans like dwarf orange crayfish, especially after they molt.
    • Dwarf orange crayfish sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Endler's livebearer · 10+ gal
    • Betta fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller Endler's livebearers.
    • Betta fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase Endler's livebearers, which use the same area.
  • Forktail blue-eye · 20+ gal
    • Betta fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase forktail blue-eyes, which use the same area.
  • Gardneri killifish · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
  • Giant danio · 55+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
    • Betta fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase giant danios, which use the same area.
    • Giant danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Gold barb · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
    • Gold barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Golden wonder killifish · 20+ gal
    • Betta fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase golden wonder killifish, which use the same area.
  • Green terror · 80+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
    • Green terror may eat bettas, especially young or small ones.
    • Green terror is aggressive. Bettas can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Jewel cichlid · 40+ gal
    • Jewel cichlid sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
    • Jewel cichlid is aggressive. Bettas can hold their own only in a large tank with plenty of cover.
  • Kubotai rasbora · 15+ gal
    • Betta fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller kubotai rasboras.
  • Marbled hatchetfish · 20+ gal
    • Betta fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase marbled hatchetfish, which use the same area.
  • Odessa barb · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
    • Odessa barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Panda garra · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
  • Penguin tetra · 20+ gal
    • Penguin tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Ropefish · 75+ gal
    • Ropefish may eat bettas, especially young or small ones.
  • Rosy loach · 15+ gal
    • Betta fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller rosy loaches.
  • Rubber lip pleco · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
  • Scarlet badis · 10+ gal
    • Betta fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller scarlet badis.
  • Scissortail rasbora · 55+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
    • Betta fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase scissortail rasboras, which use the same area.
  • Severum · 55+ gal
    • Severum may eat bettas, especially young or small ones.
  • Swordtail · 29+ gal
    • Swordtail sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Thai micro crab · 5+ gal
    • Betta fish may attack small crustaceans like Thai micro crabs, especially after they molt.
  • Tinfoil barb · 200+ gal
    • Tinfoil barb may eat bettas, especially young or small ones.
  • Turquoise rainbowfish · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
  • Vampire shrimp · 20+ gal
    • Betta fish hunts shrimp. Larger vampire shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Zebra loach · 29+ gal
    • Zebra loach sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Black ruby barb · 20+ gal
    • Black ruby barb sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Checkerboard barb · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
  • Dwarf rasbora · 10+ gal
    • Betta fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller dwarf rasboras.
  • Flame tetra · 15+ gal
    • Betta fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller flame tetras.
  • Glowlight danio · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
    • Glowlight danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Green neon tetra · 10+ gal
    • Betta fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller green neon tetras.
  • Least killifish · 10+ gal
    • Betta fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller least killifish.
  • Pearl danio · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
    • Betta fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase pearl danios, which use the same area.
    • Pearl danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Silvertip tetra · 20+ gal
    • Silvertip tetra sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
  • Variatus platy · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
    • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.

Avoid Bad tank mates (31)

  • Angelfish: Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like angelfish, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Cherry shrimp: Betta fish eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
  • Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Betta fish 24–28°C (75–82°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
  • Dwarf gourami: Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like dwarf gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Betta fish 24–28°C (75–82°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F). Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like fancy goldfish, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Guppy: Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like guppies, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Oscar: Oscar can eat bettas: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Tiger barb: Tiger barb is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of bettas.
  • Dojo loach: They need different temperatures: Betta fish 24–28°C (75–82°F), dojo loach 18–23°C (64–73°F).
  • Electric yellow cichlid: Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Bettas don't belong in that setup.
  • Honey gourami: Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like honey gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Pea puffer: Pea puffer is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of bettas. Pea puffer is best kept in a species-only tank.
  • Peacock cichlid: Peacock cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Bettas don't belong in that setup.
  • Pearl gourami: Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like pearl gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Red zebra cichlid: Red zebra cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Bettas don't belong in that setup.
  • Senegal bichir: Senegal bichir can eat bettas: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Three spot gourami: Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like three spot gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.
  • White cloud mountain minnow: They need different temperatures: Betta fish 24–28°C (75–82°F), white cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F).
  • African butterfly fish: Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like african butterfly fish, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Black ghost knifefish: Black ghost knifefish can eat bettas: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
  • Buenos Aires tetra: Buenos Aires tetra is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of bettas.
  • Congo tetra: Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like Congo tetras, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Crystal red shrimp: Betta fish eats small shrimp like crystal red shrimp.
  • Demasoni cichlid: Demasoni cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Bettas don't belong in that setup.
  • Frontosa: Frontosa can eat bettas: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Frontosa is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 8–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Bettas don't belong in that setup.
  • Paradise fish: Paradise fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like bettas, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Serpae tetra: Serpae tetra is a well-known fin nipper and will shred the long fins of bettas.
  • Shell dweller cichlid: Shell dweller cichlid is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Bettas don't belong in that setup.
  • Threadfin rainbowfish: Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like threadfin rainbowfish, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Moonlight gourami: Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like moonlight gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Thick-lipped gourami: Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like thick-lipped gouramis, mistaking them for rivals.

Frequently asked questions

What fish can live with bettas?

Good tank mates for bettas include nerite snail, bristlenose pleco, bronze corydoras, assassin snail, ramshorn snail and african dwarf frog. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat bettas.

Can bettas live with angelfish?

No. Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like angelfish, mistaking them for rivals.

Can bettas live with bristlenose plecos?

Yes. They share similar water needs (24–26°C (75–79°F)) and peaceful temperaments.

Can bettas live with bronze corydoras?

Yes. They share similar water needs (24–26°C (75–79°F)) and peaceful temperaments.

Can bettas live with cherry shrimp?

No. Betta fish eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.

Popular questions

How we decide: we compare each pair's comfortable temperature, pH and hardness ranges, adult sizes, mouth size (who can eat whom), fin nipping, aggression and territory. Read the full method. Data last reviewed 2026-10-13.