Betta fish are aggressive creatures, and many aquarists prefer to keep them alone. However, bettas are good community fish and can live comfortably with other fish species. But can they live together on their own? How many betta fish in one tank? Let us find out.
You can keep as many female bettas as you want together. However, male bettas cannot live together as they are aggressive and territorial. Consider providing a large tank with plenty of hiding spots and live aquatic plants for your betta fish for their comfortable living.
This article will discuss how many bettas can live together, and also, we will discuss the things we should consider when keeping bettas together. So, let us get into it.
Contents
How many betta fish can we keep together in a tank?
The number of betta fish we can keep together depends on the gender of the bettas you are keeping.
When it comes to male bettas, it is not possible to house more than one betta in the same tank.
Bettas are aggressive creatures, of which male bettas are the most aggressive.
Keeping two bettas in a tank will fight each other until one gets down.
If we talk about female betta fish, you can house them together as much as you want.
When we keep female bettas in the same tank, it is also called the betta’s sorority tank.
So, keeping male bettas together is not a good idea, as one will die fighting the other.
You can keep female bettas together.
Things to take care of when keeping more bettas in a tank.
These are some things you should consider when housing more female bettas in a tank:
- The size of the tank.
- Hiding spots in the tank.
- Heavily planted tank.
Size of the tank
When housing even female bettas together, you have to provide them enough space to live together.
You can keep up to five female betta fish in a 20-gallon tank.
Your female bettas will live comfortably in a minimum tank size of 20-gallon.
More big the size of the tank, the more your female bettas, will live comfortably.
20-gallon is the minimum size you should consider when planning to keep 4-5 female bettas together.
Hiding spots in the tank
Bettas are aggressive creatures, of which female bettas are somewhere tolerable.
However, when keeping more female bettas in the same tank, it will be wise to create plenty of hiding spots for them.
There are many options available, like terra cotta pots, sunken ships, caves, etc., of which caves are the good ones.
You can buy rock caves at amazon: Stackable Aquarium Decoration Rock Caves.
Hiding spots will make your bettas feel safe, and they can hide from other bettas whenever they want.
Heavily planted tank
Bettas require plenty of live aquatic plants in their tank.
Plants will not only help you keep the tank clean and oxygenated but will also mimic your betta fish’s natural habitat.
These are some of the best plants you can consider adding to your betta fish tank:
- Vallisneria
- Anubias
- Java fern
- Java moss
- Water sprite
- Sward plant
Can betta fish live in a community tank?
Betta fish can live in a community tank with other fish.
There are numerous fish that will live peacefully with your betta fish.
Many owners believe that betta fish being an aggressive creatures, should not be kept in a community tank, but it is not true, as they will thrive living in a community tank with other fish.
Keeping two male bettas in the same tank is not a good idea, as they fight each other.
But, keeping your bettas with fish like guppies will not harm each other as your guppies will live on their own.
You can consider keeping many other best tankmates with your betta fish.
5 best tankmates for my betta fish.
These are the five best tankmates of your betta fish:
- Guppies
- Cory catfish
- Amano shrimp
- Mystery snails
- Neon tetras
We must first consider their water parameters and conditions requirements when keeping two different fish species together.
The temperament of the fish is also a significant factor to consider.
Guppies
Guppy fish are peaceful fish and will live comfortably with your betta fish.
They both also share common water parameters and conditions requirements.
Guppy fish prefer to live on their own. Keep them in a group of 4-5, and they will live peacefully with your betta.
| Particular | Guppy Fish Requirement |
|---|---|
| Water conditions | Freshwater condition |
| Water Temperature | 72-82 °F |
| Water pH level | 6.8-7.8 |
| Temperament | Non-aggressive |
Also read: Can Guppies Live With Betta Fish?
Cory catfish
Cory catfish are bottom dwellers who spend most of their time scavenging for food.
They prefer to live in a group of 4-5 and are peaceful creatures.
Your betta fish will live peacefully with corydoras.
Also, betta fish and cory catfish have a common water parameter requirement.
| Particular | Guppy Fish Requirement |
|---|---|
| Water conditions | Freshwater condition |
| Water Temperature | 72-82 °F |
| Water pH level | 7 and 8 |
| Temperament | Non-aggressive |
Also read: Can Cory Catfish Live With Bettas?
Amano shrimp
Amano shrimp is also a good option when it comes to a companion for your betta fish tank.
They will feed on algae and will keep your tank clean.
You must create plenty of hiding spots for them as they become vulnerable while molting.
They can live in a small tank, making them an excellent mate for your betta fish.
| Particular | Guppy Fish Requirement |
|---|---|
| Water conditions | Freshwater condition |
| Water Temperature | 65-85 °F |
| Water pH level | 6.5-8 |
| Temperament | Non-aggressive |
Mystery snails
Mystery snails are a good addition to your betta fish tank.
They are peaceful creatures and will help you clean your betta tank by feeding on uneaten foods and algae.
With an average size of 2-inches, they require around 5-gallon space to live comfortably.
Sometimes your betta fish may try to nip them out of curiosity, but it will not harm your snails as they have a hard shell.
| Particular | Guppy Fish Requirement |
|---|---|
| Water conditions | Freshwater condition |
| Water Temperature | 68-82 °F |
| Water pH level | 6.5-7.5 |
| Temperament | Non-aggressive |
Neon tetras
Neon tetras are also a good companion for your betta fish.
They require enough space to live comfortably and consider keeping them in a group of 6-10.
They require heavily planted tanks so that they can hide, like betta fish.
Despite being colorful creatures, they are one of the best tankmates of your betta fish because of their speed.
| Particular | Guppy Fish Requirement |
|---|---|
| Water conditions | Freshwater condition |
| Water Temperature | 72-76 °F |
| Water pH level | 6 and 7 |
| Temperament | Non-aggressive |
Ensure good water conditions and adequate water parameters to ensure your betta fish and their mate have a comfortable living and longer span.
To ensure good water condition, perform a weekly water change of at least 30%.
Make sure to treat the tap water using a water conditioner when performing a water change to eliminate chlorine, chloramine, and other heavy metals from the tank.
We recommend using the API water conditioner as it will help you eliminate chlorine, chloramine, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and heavy metals from the water.
You can buy this product on amazon: API TAP WATER CONDITIONER.
Also, make sure to maintain good water conditions by maintaining ammonia and nitrite at 0ppm, whereas nitrate is below 20ppm.
We recommend using the API freshwater master test kit to regularly check your tank’s ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH level as it shows the accurate result.
You can buy it from amazon: API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT.
A good filtration system with biofilter media will keep the water clean from excess waste and protect it from harmful toxins like ammonia and nitrite.
We advise you to purchase Fluval High-Performance Filter to maintain your tank’s water quality.
You can buy it from Amazon Fluval High-Performance Aquarium Filter.
Conclusion:
You cannot keep two male bettas in the same tank as they are aggressive, and one will die fighting the other.
However, female bettas are tolerable and can live together in a large tank.
You can keep up to four female bettas in a 20-gallon tank.
Keep the tank heavily planted and create plenty of hiding spots to provide ideal living conditions.
Guppies, neon tetras, Amano shrimp, cory catfish, and mystery snails are some best tankmates of betta fish.
Reference: UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS