15 Best Betta Fish Tank Mates

Are you looking to add some friendly companions to your Betta’s home? While these stunning fish are known for their fighting spirit, your Betta can actually enjoy company with the right tank mates!

This guide will help you create a harmonious community tank that keeps your Betta happy and healthy.

Table of Contents

Top 10 Best Betta Fish Tank Mates

Let’s explore the most compatible friends for your Betta fish:

1. Corydoras Catfish

These peaceful bottom-dwellers are among the best Betta companions:

Why they work: Corydoras stay near the bottom while Bettas prefer the middle and top, reducing territorial conflicts.
Best varieties: Panda, Pygmy, Albino, and Bronze Corydoras
Group size: Keep at least 4-6 for their social needs
Tank requirements: Soft substrate is a must to protect their sensitive barbels

Keeper tip: Corys are social fish that feel safest in groups. Their amusing foraging behavior adds activity to the lower levels of your tank.

2. Kuhli Loaches

These quirky, eel-like fish make excellent Betta tank mates:

Why they work: Kuhli loaches are shy, nocturnal, and spend most time at the bottom of the tank.
Behavior: They often hide during the day and become active at night when your Betta is resting.
Group size: Keep 3-6 loaches together
Special needs: Include fine sand substrate and plenty of hiding places

Fun fact: Kuhli loaches can live up to 10 years when properly cared for!

3. Harlequin Rasboras

These small, peaceful schooling fish naturally share waters with Bettas in the wild:

Why they work: Their natural habitat overlaps with Bettas, and they swim in the middle water column.
Appearance: Their subdued colors won’t trigger aggression in most Bettas.
Group size: Keep at least 6-8 for proper schooling behavior
Special consideration: Their quick swimming style keeps them safe from Betta attacks

Pro tip: Harlequin rasboras come from the same Southeast Asian waters as Bettas, making them ideal companions with similar water requirements.

4. Ember Tetras

These tiny, orange-red fish add a pop of color without triggering Betta aggression:

Why they work: Their small size and peaceful nature make them compatible with Bettas.
Best feature: At only about 0.8 inches long, they’re too small to be threatening.
Group size: Keep 8-10 in a school
Special needs: Prefer slightly acidic water and planted areas

Important note: Their small size means they can sometimes become snacks for larger, more aggressive Bettas. Monitor carefully.

5. Neon Tetras

These popular, colorful schooling fish can work with many Bettas:

Why they work: They occupy the middle water layer and are peaceful by nature.
Group size: Keep at least 6-8 for proper schooling
Special consideration: Their bright colors might trigger some Bettas, so watch closely at first
Tank needs: Prefer planted tanks with some shaded areas

Expert advice: If your Betta shows aggression toward neon tetras, try the less colorful black neon tetras instead.

6. Mystery Snails

These colorful cleanup crew members can add interest to your tank:

Why they work: Bettas generally ignore snails, and they help keep the tank clean.
Colors available: Gold, ivory, blue, black, and purple
Benefits: Algae control and leftover food cleanup
Special needs: Need calcium supplements for healthy shell growth

Fun fact: Mystery snails have a breathing tube that extends like a snorkel, which can be fascinating to watch!

7. Nerite Snails

These algae-eating powerhouses rarely trigger Betta aggression:

Why they work: Stay mostly on surfaces and don’t compete with Bettas for space or food.
Best feature: Excellent algae control without breeding out of control
Varieties: Tiger, Zebra, and Horned Nerites add visual interest
Special needs: Need hard water for shell health

Keeper tip: Unlike many snails, nerites cannot reproduce in freshwater, so you won’t have a snail explosion!

8. Amano Shrimp

These larger shrimp are less likely to become Betta snacks:

Why they work: Their size and quick movements help them avoid becoming prey.
Best feature: Excellent algae and detritus cleaners
Group size: 3-5 in a community tank
Special needs: Need plenty of hiding places and plants

Pro tip: Add your Amano shrimp before introducing your Betta so they can find hiding spots and establish themselves.

9. Ghost Shrimp

These transparent shrimp can coexist with many Bettas:

Why they work: Their transparent bodies make them less noticeable to Bettas.
Best feature: Very inexpensive way to add cleanup crew members
Group size: 5-10 in a community tank
Risk factor: Some Bettas may hunt them, so provide plenty of hiding places

Success tip: Dense plant coverage, especially with fine-leaved plants like java moss, gives ghost shrimp safe places to hide.

10. African Dwarf Frogs

These fully aquatic frogs can make quirky companions for Bettas:

Why they work: They stay mostly at the bottom and aren’t fast enough to chase or nip at Bettas.
Behavior: Peaceful, sometimes comical swimming and feeding habits
Group size: Keep 2-3 frogs together
Special needs: Need easy access to the surface for breathing

Important caution: Make sure you get African Dwarf Frogs (ADF) and not African Clawed Frogs, which grow much larger and can harm your Betta.

FAQ:

Can female Bettas live with other fish?

Yes! Female Bettas are typically less aggressive than males and often make better community tank residents. They can even live in sororities of 5+ females in tanks 20 gallons or larger (though this requires careful monitoring).

How do I introduce new tank mates safely?

Follow this process:

Quarantine new fish for 2 weeks before adding them to your main tank
Rearrange decorations before adding new fish to disrupt territories
Add tank mates during a water change when the environment is slightly disrupted
Keep lights dim during the first 24-48 hours after introduction
Have a backup plan (separate tank) ready just in case

What if my Betta attacks its tank mates?

If your Betta shows persistent aggression:

First, try rearranging decorations to reset territories
Add more plants or hiding places
Use a tank divider temporarily
If aggression continues, you may need to house your Betta separately

Remember: Not every Betta will accept tank mates, regardless of species. Some have stronger territorial instincts than others.

Can Bettas live with other Bettas?

Mostly no. Never keep two male Bettas together. Female Bettas can sometimes live together in groups of 5+ in larger tanks (20+ gallons), but this requires careful monitoring and plenty of hiding places.

How many tank mates can I add with my Betta?

This depends on:

Your tank size (bigger is better)
Filtration capacity
The specific species of tank mates
Your Betta’s individual temperament

As a general rule, start with small groups and monitor before adding more.

Conclusion

Creating a thriving Betta community tank is all about balance. With the right tank setup, careful selection of tank mates, and ongoing attention to your fish’s behavior, you can create a beautiful underwater world where your Betta and its companions live in harmony.

Key takeaways:

Choose tank mates that occupy different areas of the tank than your Betta
Provide plenty of hiding places and visual barriers
Start with a larger tank (10+ gallons) for better success
Monitor behavior closely, especially during the first few weeks
Have a backup plan ready if needed

Remember that each Betta has its own unique personality. What works for one might not work for another. The journey of creating a community tank is part of the fun of fish keeping—observing behaviors, making adjustments, and ultimately creating a balanced ecosystem that brings beauty and joy to your home.