FishCompat

Tank Mate Guide

Best Tank Mates for Betta

Bettas need tank mates that match their 75-82F temperature range, pH 6.5-7.8, adult size, and semi-aggressive temperament. Bettas do best with calm tank mates that will not nip fins or compete for the surface. Avoid other male bettas, flashy guppies, and fast fin nippers.

Betta Care Snapshot

Tank

5+ gal

pH

6.5-7.8

Temp

75-82F

Size

2.8 in

Temperament

Semi Aggressive

Care

Beginner

Swim Level

Top

Group

Solo or pair

Compatible Fish (6)

Corydoras Panda (Corydoras panda) in a freshwater aquarium

Corydoras Panda

Size 2 inpH 6-7.5
Kuhli Loach (Pangio kuhlii) in a freshwater aquarium

Kuhli Loach

Size 3.9 inpH 5.5-7
Mystery Snail (Pomacea bridgesii) in a freshwater aquarium

Mystery Snail

Size 2 inpH 7-8.2
Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) in a freshwater aquarium

Neon Tetra

Size 1.5 inpH 6-7
Nerite Snail (Neritina natalensis) in a freshwater aquarium

Nerite Snail

Size 2 inpH 7-8.2
Pygmy Corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus) in a freshwater aquarium

Pygmy Corydoras

Size 1.2 inpH 6-7.5

Use Caution (54)

Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata) in a freshwater aquarium

Amano Shrimp

Size 1.6 inpH 6.5-7.8
Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) in a freshwater aquarium

Angelfish

Size 5.9 inpH 6.5-7.5
Apistogramma (Apistogramma cacatuoides) in a freshwater aquarium

Apistogramma

Size 3.1 inpH 5.5-7.5
Bamboo Shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis) in a freshwater aquarium

Bamboo Shrimp

Size 1.6 inpH 6.5-7.8
Black Neon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi) in a freshwater aquarium

Black Neon Tetra

Size 1.6 inpH 5.5-7.5
Boesemani Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani) in a freshwater aquarium

Boesemani Rainbowfish

Size 4.3 inpH 7-8
Bolivian Ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus) in a freshwater aquarium

Bolivian Ram

Size 3.1 inpH 6-7.5
Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus cirrhosus) in a freshwater aquarium

Bristlenose Pleco

Size 5.1 inpH 6.5-7.8
Bronze Corydoras (Corydoras aeneus) in a freshwater aquarium

Bronze Corydoras

Size 2.8 inpH 6-7.5
Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) in a freshwater aquarium

Cardinal Tetra

Size 2 inpH 4.8-6.8
Celestial Pearl Danio (Danio margaritatus) in a freshwater aquarium

Celestial Pearl Danio

Size 1 inpH 6.5-7.5
Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya) in a freshwater aquarium

Cherry Barb

Size 2 inpH 6-7.5
Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) in a freshwater aquarium

Cherry Shrimp

Size 1.6 inpH 6.5-8
Clown Killifish (Epiplatys annulatus) in a freshwater aquarium

Clown Killifish

Size 1.4 inpH 5.5-7
Denison Barb (Sahyadria denisonii) in a freshwater aquarium

Denison Barb

Size 5.9 inpH 6.5-7.8
Discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus) in a freshwater aquarium

Discus

Size 7.9 inpH 5.5-7
Dwarf Chain Loach (Ambastaia sidthimunki) in a freshwater aquarium

Dwarf Chain Loach

Size 2.4 inpH 6.5-7.5
Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius) in a freshwater aquarium

Dwarf Gourami

Size 3.1 inpH 6-7.5
Electric Blue Acara (Andinoacara pulcher) in a freshwater aquarium

Electric Blue Acara

Size 5.9 inpH 6.5-7.8
Emerald Corydoras (Brochis splendens) in a freshwater aquarium

Emerald Corydoras

Size 3.1 inpH 6-7.5

Avoid These Tank Mates (19)

African Dwarf Frog (Hymenochirus boettgeri) in a freshwater aquarium

African Dwarf Frog

Size 0.8 inpH 6.5-7.8
Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) in a freshwater aquarium

Axolotl

Size 0.4 inpH 6.8-8
Black Skirt Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi) in a freshwater aquarium

Black Skirt Tetra

Size 2.4 inpH 6-7.5
Buenos Aires Tetra (Hyphessobrycon anisitsi) in a freshwater aquarium

Buenos Aires Tetra

Size 2.8 inpH 6.5-8
Chili Rasbora (Boraras brigittae) in a freshwater aquarium

Chili Rasbora

Size 0.8 inpH 5.5-7
Clown Loach (Chromobotia macracanthus) in a freshwater aquarium

Clown Loach

Size 11.8 inpH 6-7.5
Common Pleco (Hypostomus plecostomus) in a freshwater aquarium

Common Pleco

Size 17.7 inpH 6.5-7.8
Convict Cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) in a freshwater aquarium

Convict Cichlid

Size 5.9 inpH 6.5-8
Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) in a freshwater aquarium

Ember Tetra

Size 0.8 inpH 5.5-7
Exclamation Point Rasbora (Boraras urophthalmoides) in a freshwater aquarium

Exclamation Point Rasbora

Size 0.8 inpH 5.5-7
Jack Dempsey (Rocio octofasciata) in a freshwater aquarium

Jack Dempsey

Size 9.8 inpH 6.5-8
Kubotai Rasbora (Microdevario kubotai) in a freshwater aquarium

Kubotai Rasbora

Size 0.8 inpH 6-7.5
Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) in a freshwater aquarium

Oscar

Size 13.8 inpH 6-7.5
Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis) in a freshwater aquarium

Paradise Fish

Size 3.9 inpH 6-8
Scarlet Badis (Dario dario) in a freshwater aquarium

Scarlet Badis

Size 0.8 inpH 6.5-7.5
Serpae Tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques) in a freshwater aquarium

Serpae Tetra

Size 2 inpH 5.5-7.5
Severum (Heros efasciatus) in a freshwater aquarium

Severum

Size 9.8 inpH 6-7.5
Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) in a freshwater aquarium

Tiger Barb

Size 2.8 inpH 6-7.5
White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) in a freshwater aquarium

White Cloud Mountain Minnow

Size 1.6 inpH 6.5-7.5

Tank Setup Tips

Start with at least 5 gallons, keep water stable, and stock schooling species in proper groups. If the tank mate list includes caution species, add more plants, caves, and open swimming room before introducing them.

For a specific pair, use the compatibility checker or visit generated pair pages from the cards above. Compatibility is strongest when the aquarium is mature and each species can eat without being chased.

Back to the Betta care guide