One of the most popular and well-known ornamental fish in the aquarium hobby is the Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens. Bettas are stunning and sophisticated tropical fish. The betta fish’s stunningly colorful tails make it stand out in an aquarium. This is the main factor in the popularity of aquarists. Do Betta Fish Need To Be In A Group?
Betta doesn’t require buddies. These solitary fish with striking colors prefer to keep to themselves. It might be possible for these fish to coexist peacefully with other fish.
Does Betta Fish Get Lonely?
No, your Betta fish is not lonely. Even though he may appear lonely as he works on the tank by himself, he is not alone. These fish are also hostile and territorial.
Wild male Bettas stay within their territories and lead solitary lives. When they do cross paths, they frequently start fighting right away. For this reason, it is never a good idea to keep two male Betta fish in the same tank.
The fish that hobbyists can buy have been bred for generations, but they still have this rebellious attitude, sometimes even toward other species. The last thing your betta needs in your aquarium is other fish constantly in his face.
One of the most widespread misconceptions about betta fish is this one. Your pet fish isn’t lonely, and he’s not like you or me either. Your pet fish is a unique creature with unique needs and concerns which can live happily on his own.
Since betta fish are territorial by nature, it is highly recommended to keep them separate because they will fight and harm each other. Frequently resulting in death. They are not likely to feel lonely in their tank, but if it is small, they might become bored.
The size of the tank and filtration system should always be increased to accommodate the tankmates to maintain everyone’s health and cleanliness.
Do Female Betta Fish Get Lonely?
As you are aware, male Bettas cannot coexist with other male Bettas. What about female Betta, though?
If your tank is large enough, you can keep females in a sorority in addition to keeping them on their own. A group of female Bettas who live together is referred to as a sorority. These fish can coexist peacefully and don’t mind other fish entering their territory. However, they each have their distinct territories.
However, while aggression still happens and a pecking order is frequently established, it is much more likely that a female betta will experience loneliness.
Once more, if you want to keep female Bettas together, you should make sure their tank is large enough (at least 29 gallons). They need to have plenty of hiding places, and you need to be ready to separate them if they start acting aggressively toward one another.
If you’re going to start a female sorority, be sure to introduce each member to the tank one at a time. If you introduce them all at once, it will mess with the ammonia cycle, and you’ll also need to plan a lot of moving around if any of them have problems.
Similarly, if something isn’t quite right, you only have to worry about shifting one if you only add one at a time.
Keep in mind that female bettas can be aggressive as well, and in many cases, much more so. Fish can swim more quickly and attack other fish with greater ruthlessness since they have smaller fins. You should therefore keep it in mind.
Do Betta Fish Get Bored?
Contrary to what you might believe, your Betta fish does not become bored. Your betta will be a contented little fish with few cares in the world if all of his care requirements are satisfied. He doesn’t require a hobby, and he doesn’t think much about the purpose of life or where he fits into the cosmos.
Unfortunately, a lot of the behaviors that we fish keepers misinterpret as signs of boredom are warning signs of more serious issues. When he is stressed out, your betta may appear to be bored.
- Glass surfing occurs when a stressed fish repeatedly swims up and down the aquarium glass.
- Betta fish will conceal themselves to feel safe. But if they do it frequently, it may indicate a problem.
- There could be an issue if your betta keeps getting wedged under ornaments.
- Bettas occasionally sleep by lying on the bottom of the leaves of plants. But if he does this frequently and never swims, it might be a warning omen.
Poor water quality, an excessive amount of current, or too much exposure to direct sunlight are some probable causes of stress in betta fish. While strange actions by themselves may not always be the reason for alarm, keep an eye out for any trends that could. One of the main causes of premature Betta fish deaths is stress.
Can You Put Betta Fish Together In The Same Tank?
Yes, you may keep two or more betta fish together, but there are certain guidelines to follow to avoid bullying and death-match battles.
Male And Male
Never pair up two men. They’ll fight until one of them is killed. I kindly ask you to discontinue your hobby of raising fish if this is your concept of fun.
Avoid doing this combo!
Female And Female
You can pair up two or more ladies, but you must be careful when doing so. If you combine more than two females, you must introduce the same number at once. You must introduce all three girls simultaneously if you wish to have three. When you add 1 and 2, bullying of the one is unavoidable. Let us consider these possibilities.
Anything other than 1 + 1 requires a tank that is “cycled” to hold a load of three fish. If you don’t have a filtering system, three female Betta fish will require a 30-gallon tank. (A heater, a cover, and a few more standard aquarium supplies would still be required.)
Never combine 1+2 female Bettas.
Male & Female
A solitary guy and a single female can coexist peacefully. The breeding that will eventually occur will surpass your abilities as a rookie aquarist. If you haven’t kept an aquarium for a few years with success, avoid combining these two. And if you haven’t researched extensively about the requirements of the pair and their progeny, don’t breed Bettas. It’s not a good idea to start breeding if you’re new to it or you believe it’ll “be enjoyable.”
Wait until you have experience before breeding males and females.
Are Betta Fish Good With Other Fish?
Sadly, no, it isn’t. Betta fish are one of the more aggressive freshwater fish. Betta fish maintain their aggression by engaging in fish fighting.
How Many Betta Fish Can You Keep Together?
The presence of other male Betta fish in the same tank is not advised. Fighting to the death is not unusual. If the combat wounds don’t kill them, the stress of being in an uncomfortable situation frequently does. Not all hope is gone, though. Male Betta fish may coexist peacefully with some fish species; however, the tankmates must adhere to specific requirements.
- No colors that are very vivid or that are similar to another Betta. These fish have the potential to intimidate a Betta, which is not a good idea!
- They must not occupy the entire space. Betta fish like their own place since they live alone. Ascertain that there is enough for everyone. For your bettas’ own swimming space, try to strive for at least 5 gallons.
- They do not gnaw. It’s a recipe for disaster to nibble on a battling fish. Never put a betta in with nibblers.
- Tankmates shouldn’t be aggressive.
- There are no fish similar to bettas.
- The hiding places on a tank must be plentiful.
- No additional anabantids.
Tossing your favorite Betta in with a lot of other fish is not a good idea, so think again before you do it.
Look, if you enjoy keeping Bettas in communal tanks, there is nothing wrong with doing so. We maintain fish just for enjoyment, and that is the only reason we do it. If you handle your betta properly, he may be just as healthy and content as he would be in his tank. Just be careful not to place him in an environment with other fish just because you believe he is lonely or bored.
Betta Fish Like To Be Alone
It’s acceptable if your Betta fish prefers to be alone. It largely depends on how your Betta behaves. Betta fish still need a cozy environment with heating and filtration, fresh water, nourishing food, and the right tank size. He just doesn’t want to give it to anyone.
If you choose correctly, you can keep a betta in a tank with other fish. Just keep in mind that you are not acting on his behalf. He won’t be pleased to see other fish, and the best result you can hope for is that he won’t care. As long as you take the proper measures and have a backup plan in place in case something goes wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.
Indeed, Bettas don’t mind spending time alone. It’s also true that they frequently have conflicts with other fish. The innate territorialism of male bettas can lead to fights if they are kept together or with other fish with vivid colors and huge fins. They can, however, coexist peacefully with other aquatic animals such as African dwarf frogs, ghost shrimp, and snails. They may coexist with other fish species, particularly bottom-dwellers with short fins or those that resemble eels, such as the khuli loach. With sufficient room, which entails a tank in the 10-gallon (38-liter) range, female bettas can frequently coexist peacefully.
How Can You Increase The Chance Your Betta Will Get Along With Other Fish?
You must ensure that your betta and the other fish will get along if you plan to introduce them. Thankfully, there are ways to increase the likelihood of this occurring.
Don’t Put Male Bettas Together
First and foremost, refrain from pairing up males. They are named fighting fish for a reason, and when combined, they will perform as such.
If you place them in a large enough tank (150 gallons or more) with many plants, this might not happen. Even then, there is no assurance that a fight won’t break out.
The most likely result of pairing up two men is that they will engage in a life-or-death struggle. Additionally, the survivor frequently succumbs to his injuries later on. As a result, avoid pairing two male Bettas together.
Don’t Put Bettas With Brightly Colored Fish
Additionally, be careful not to keep your betta around fish that have vibrant colors. They frequently get aggressive as a result of this and start to attack.
It is always better to choose fish with plain appearances, such as corydoras catfish. As they won’t perceive them as a threat, they will disregard them in this manner.
Avoid Fish With Flowing Fins
Make sure to avoid keeping fish with long, flowing tails in your tank in addition to those with flashy colors. Guppies are a perfect illustration of this. Not only because of their tails but also because of their vivid colors, bettas are very likely to attack guppy fish.
Buy Fish That Don’t Inhibit The Same Areas
If at all feasible, try to add bottom dwellers to the tank because your betta will occupy the top and middle of it (but mostly the top). Corydoras catfish are a fantastic option once more.
If your tank is large enough, you might also try adding glass catfish, otocinclus catfish, and plecos in addition to corydoras.
Make Sure Your Tank Is Big Enough
Next, confirm that your tank is adequate in size. They only require a 5-gallon tank when you maintain Bettas on your own. You’ll need a larger tank if you want to keep your betta among other fish, though.
Your tank should be at least 10 gallons in capacity. The size will, however, vary according to the tank companion. For instance, neon tetras will require at least 15 liters of water.
Add Bettas At A Young Age
Additionally, while the betta is young, you could try exposing them to different fish.
Bettas are typically not as aggressive as adult bettas when they are young. Some fish may become less aggressive as they mature because they are accustomed to living in aquariums with other fish.
This is frequently one of the more effective techniques to allow bettas to coexist with other fish, but it always depends on the fish’s temperament.
Add Them To A Community Tank
When you add fish to your betta’s tank, he may likely perceive them as a danger, especially if he has been living on his own for some time. Your fish could be less inclined to attack if you add them to a communal tank. They could just choose to claim their area of the tank rather than act aggressively.
Make Sure There Are Lots Of Plants And Hiding Places
Your betta will be more likely to remain calm if you provide lots of plants and other hiding spots.
Your betta will have a place to go when stressed out if you add lots of plants, hiding spots, and other decorations. This will make them feel safer, and as a result, it is less likely that they will attack.
They will disrupt lines of sight in addition to giving them a sense of security. The likelihood of an assault decreases if the other fish can’t see your betta.
Last but not least, keeping your betta amused with decorations, plants, etc., will prevent them from getting bored.
| Image | Plants for aquarium | Link |
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Java Moss |  |
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Amazon Sword | |
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Hornwort | |
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Java Fern | |
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Anubias Petite | |
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Ludwigia Repens | |
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Anacharis | |
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Brazilian Pennywort | |
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Christmas Moss | |
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Cryptocoryne Wendtii | |
Don’t Buy Fin Nippers
Some fish have a reputation for nipping fins. The best instances of this are certain tetras and barbs.
You should refrain from introducing a fish species into your tank if you are aware that they are known to pinch fins.
Your betta is likely to grow anxious if he is nipped. Due to this, fin rotting is likely to worsen, and betta fish may start attacking other fish in the tank.
Make Sure The Tank Mates Have The Same Requirements
Bettas have specific pH, temperature, and other water requirements. Make sure they meet the same criteria when you wish to add other tankmates to their group.
There is a danger that one of the fish will perish if they don’t meet the same standards. And you need to be concerned about more than just fish.
Some plants can only thrive in a limited range of temperatures, which might not be ideal for your betta.
Don’t Pick Energetic Fish
Additionally, you should stay away from fish that are extremely energetic or raucous. Bettas will become stressed if a fish is continually swimming around the tank.
Therefore, while choosing fish, try to choose those that move slowly.
Try A Tank Divider
You don’t have to forget about your tankmates if your betta is hostile immediately. If your aquarium is at least 10 gallons in size, you may divide it in half and keep one betta on one side and another fish on the other.
If the divider is opaque, you could use this technique to house two male Bettas in this manner.
Conclusion
In contrast to other species, Bettas do not school and will engage in intergender combat. Bettas require a cozy location to hide and prefer to swim alone. Despite their reputation for being aggressive, your Betta truly just wants to unwind.
FAQ
What Fish Can Live With Bettas?
Numerous species may coexist with bettas, but cory catfish, guppies, ghost shrimp, neon and ember tetras, and kuhli loaches are the ideal options.
What Is Betta Sorority Tank?
The tank has to be at least 20 gallons in size, densely planted, and include roughly six female Bettas to prevent fighting.
