Sharks (which are actually a kind of catfish but look like small sharks), goldfish, gouramis, mollies, pygmy pufferfish, and cichlids are all poor tankmates, whether it’s from aggression issues or different water and temperature requirements.ĭon’t forget that the fish you see in a store tend to be young-some of them may grow way more than you expect! A perfect example are plecos, an algae eater similar in appearance to corydoras. Fish you shouldn’t add to your betta’s tank Or you may discover that your other fish are the aggressors neon tetras and zebra danios, both extremely common in the aquarium hobby, have been known to nip at a betta’s tail. However, it’s very important to do research before buying instead of just buying whatever looks appealing at the moment.īettas may be aggressive to other colorful or long-finned fish, mistaking them for other bettas. They tend to be kept in slightly larger groups and different types may prefer different water parameters, so it’s important to check with your local fish store or google to make sure they’re compatible with your water.Ībove 10 gallons, your options start opening up to things like guppies, other types of tetras, barbs, and plecos. Like corydoras, rasboras come in a number of varieties and colors. Because they spend most of their time eating off the substrate, they need sand instead of gravel so they aren’t hurt by any sharp pieces in there. They will eat algae pellets designed for bottom-dwellers or sinking fish food. Also known as cory catfish, these bottom-feeders come in a couple of varieties and are small and peaceful. Corydoras Corydoras Catfish And Betta Tank MatesĬorydoras are another option. Larger groups are better with these fish, as they can be shy in smaller schools. They’ll eat pretty much the same thing as your betta and prefer calm, dark environments with lots of places to hide. Smaller than their ubiquitous and sometimes tail-nippy cousins neon tetras, ember tetras are a lovely orange color.

Betta tank mates for 10-GallonsĮmber tetras are a great option for a small schooling fish. It’s completely a gamble and depends on the size and aggressiveness of your betta. However, because of their size, even adult cherry shrimp may become a meal for hungry betta.

If you get different colors, they will interbreed and start reverting to their plain brownish wild coloration over time. These shrimp now come in a ton of colors including black, blue, yellow, orange, green, white, and more. Smaller than the other two types, the red color is known as “ cherry shrimp” tends to be most easily found. Neocaridina Betta Splendens And Red Cherry Shrimpįinally, Neocaridina is another great option. There shouldn’t be any aggression issues, although, as with any shrimp, betta fish will probably eat very small ones. While not overly colorful, they will have more dots on them and may gain color over time if they’re consuming a varied diet I have some Amano shrimp that have turned a lovely rusty color. They’re a bit larger than ghost shrimp and do not reproduce in freshwater tanks. Amano shrimpĪmano shrimp are another great option. These prawns are carnivorous and can hurt or kill your betta after they grow! If you notice aggression, remove the shrimp/prawn immediately. Also of note is that juvenile freshwater prawns look incredibly similar to ghost shrimp and are sometimes accidentally sold as them. Some may be fine with your betta, while particularly aggressive females may try to grab at your betta’s fins, particularly if they’re long.

Ember tetra with betta