Best Betta tank mates

Plan a tank with Betta

Opens an editable 30 US gal example with one selected animal. Adjust capacity, numbers, and companions before using the results.

Discover the best compatible tank mates for Betta by troubleshooting community setups. Candidates are ranked by shared water parameters, aquarium swim zone pressure, temperament, and predator/prey safety.

Tank size assumptions

Results assume at least the larger listed minimum tank size, full adult size, a cycled aquarium, proper group sizes, and normal filtration. Shrimp and fry are treated more cautiously than adult fish.

Best tank mates for Betta

Betta tank mates are conditional because Betta behavior changes by sex, temperament, cover, tank size, and fin-nipping pressure. Start with calm species that stay out of the Betta's space and use the checker before stocking.

Better patterns

Look first at bottom dwellers, snails, shrimp with hiding cover, and calm schooling fish in tanks large enough to give the Betta room.

Watch fin nippers

Avoid active or nippy fish that chase, crowd, or test long fins. Even small tetras and livebearers can become a problem in the wrong layout.

Use real context carefully

Observed Betta community photos are useful context, but they do not prove that every Betta will accept the same tank mates long term.

Observed photo context

Betta real aquarium photo context

These photos include Betta in real aquarium context. They are useful for visual review, but observed co-housing should not be treated as proof of long-term compatibility.

Betta, Corydoras catfish, and Mystery Snail in a planted Betta community aquarium
Real-world aquarium photo showing a Betta observed with Corydoras catfish and a Mystery Snail in a planted setup.Betta aquarium context for visual reference only.
Betta and Neocaridina-type shrimp in a planted Betta community aquarium
Real-world aquarium photo showing a Betta observed with shrimp in a planted setup.Betta aquarium context for visual reference only.
Betta and Neocaridina-type shrimp in a planted Betta community aquarium
Real-world aquarium photo showing a Betta observed with shrimp.Betta aquarium context for visual reference only.
Betta, Neocaridina-type shrimp, and snails in a planted Betta community aquarium
Real-world aquarium photo showing a Betta observed with shrimp and snails.Betta aquarium context for visual reference only.
Betta and retail/community tank context in a planted Betta community aquarium
Real-world aquarium context showing a Betta in a community setup.Betta aquarium context for visual reference only.
Betta and retail/community tank context in a planted Betta community aquarium
Real-world aquarium context showing a Betta in a community setup.Betta aquarium context for visual reference only.

Best matches

Rule-screened fish are shown first, followed by invertebrates. Check tank size, social groups and temperament before stocking; a green result is not a guarantee.

green

Sparkling Gourami

Likely compatible | minimum 10 gallons

  • compatible: Betta and Sparkling Gourami appear to have compatible basic water, size, and behavior requirements when normal husbandry needs are met.

profile | checker

green

Clown Pleco

Likely compatible | minimum 20 gallons

  • compatible: Betta and Clown Pleco appear to have compatible basic water, size, and behavior requirements when normal husbandry needs are met.

profile | checker

green

Thick-Lipped Gourami

Likely compatible | minimum 20 gallons

  • compatible: Betta and Thick-Lipped Gourami appear to have compatible basic water, size, and behavior requirements when normal husbandry needs are met.

profile | checker

green

Rubber Lip Pleco

Likely compatible | minimum 30 gallons

  • compatible: Betta and Rubber Lip Pleco appear to have compatible basic water, size, and behavior requirements when normal husbandry needs are met.

profile | checker

green

Rope Fish

Likely compatible | minimum 55 gallons

  • compatible: Betta and Rope Fish appear to have compatible basic water, size, and behavior requirements when normal husbandry needs are met.

profile | checker

green

Pond Snail

Likely compatible | minimum 5 gallons

  • compatible: Betta and Pond Snail appear to have compatible basic water, size, and behavior requirements when normal husbandry needs are met.

profile | checker

green

Ivory Mystery Snail

Likely compatible | minimum 10 gallons

  • compatible: Betta and Ivory Mystery Snail appear to have compatible basic water, size, and behavior requirements when normal husbandry needs are met.

profile | checker

green

Japanese Trapdoor Snail

Likely compatible | minimum 10 gallons

  • compatible: Betta and Japanese Trapdoor Snail appear to have compatible basic water, size, and behavior requirements when normal husbandry needs are met.

profile | checker

green

Spixi Snail

Likely compatible | minimum 10 gallons

  • compatible: Betta and Spixi Snail appear to have compatible basic water, size, and behavior requirements when normal husbandry needs are met.

profile | checker

green

Black Devil Spike Snail

Likely compatible | minimum 20 gallons

  • compatible: Betta and Black Devil Spike Snail appear to have compatible basic water, size, and behavior requirements when normal husbandry needs are met.

profile | checker

green

Cappuccino Spike Snail

Likely compatible | minimum 20 gallons

  • compatible: Betta and Cappuccino Spike Snail appear to have compatible basic water, size, and behavior requirements when normal husbandry needs are met.

profile | checker

Caution matches

caution

Babaulti Shrimp

Minimum 5 gallons before group size and layout adjustments.

  • shrimp predation risk: Betta may eat shrimplets or stressed shrimp.
  • schooling size issue: Babaulti Shrimp should be kept in a group of at least 10, not as a single add-on.
caution

Black Rose Shrimp

Minimum 5 gallons before group size and layout adjustments.

  • shrimp predation risk: Betta may eat shrimplets or stressed shrimp.
  • schooling size issue: Black Rose Shrimp should be kept in a group of at least 10, not as a single add-on.
caution

Blue Dream Shrimp

Minimum 5 gallons before group size and layout adjustments.

  • shrimp predation risk: Betta may eat shrimplets or stressed shrimp.
  • schooling size issue: Blue Dream Shrimp should be kept in a group of at least 10, not as a single add-on.
caution

Blue Velvet Shrimp

Minimum 5 gallons before group size and layout adjustments.

  • shrimp predation risk: Betta may eat shrimplets or stressed shrimp.
  • schooling size issue: Blue Velvet Shrimp should be kept in a group of at least 10, not as a single add-on.
caution

Cherry Shrimp

Minimum 5 gallons before group size and layout adjustments.

  • shrimp predation risk: Betta may eat shrimplets or stressed shrimp.
  • schooling size issue: Cherry Shrimp should be kept in a group of at least 10, not as a single add-on.
caution

Chocolate Shrimp

Minimum 5 gallons before group size and layout adjustments.

  • shrimp predation risk: Betta may eat shrimplets or stressed shrimp.
  • schooling size issue: Chocolate Shrimp should be kept in a group of at least 10, not as a single add-on.
caution

Ghost Shrimp

Minimum 5 gallons before group size and layout adjustments.

  • shrimp predation risk: Betta may eat shrimplets or stressed shrimp.
  • schooling size issue: Ghost Shrimp should be kept in a group of at least 5, not as a single add-on.
caution

Green Jade Shrimp

Minimum 5 gallons before group size and layout adjustments.

  • shrimp predation risk: Betta may eat shrimplets or stressed shrimp.
  • schooling size issue: Green Jade Shrimp should be kept in a group of at least 10, not as a single add-on.

Avoid matches

avoid

Bee Shrimp

  • temperature mismatch: No shared temperature range: Betta is 76-82F and Bee Shrimp is 68-74F.
  • shrimp predation risk: Betta may eat shrimplets or stressed shrimp.
  • schooling size issue: Bee Shrimp should be kept in a group of at least 10, not as a single add-on.
avoid

Black King Kong Shrimp

  • temperature mismatch: No shared temperature range: Betta is 76-82F and Black King Kong Shrimp is 68-74F.
  • shrimp predation risk: Betta may eat shrimplets or stressed shrimp.
  • schooling size issue: Black King Kong Shrimp should be kept in a group of at least 10, not as a single add-on.
avoid

Bladder Snail

  • predator/prey risk: Bladder Snail is prey-sized compared with adult Betta.
avoid

Blue Bolt Shrimp

  • temperature mismatch: No shared temperature range: Betta is 76-82F and Blue Bolt Shrimp is 68-74F.
  • shrimp predation risk: Betta may eat shrimplets or stressed shrimp.
  • schooling size issue: Blue Bolt Shrimp should be kept in a group of at least 10, not as a single add-on.
avoid

Chili Rasbora

  • predator/prey risk: Chili Rasbora is prey-sized compared with adult Betta.
  • schooling size issue: Chili Rasbora should be kept in a group of at least 8, not as a single add-on.
avoid

Crystal Red Shrimp

  • temperature mismatch: No shared temperature range: Betta is 76-82F and Crystal Red Shrimp is 68-74F.
  • shrimp predation risk: Betta may eat shrimplets or stressed shrimp.
  • schooling size issue: Crystal Red Shrimp should be kept in a group of at least 10, not as a single add-on.
avoid

Ember Tetra

  • predator/prey risk: Ember Tetra is prey-sized compared with adult Betta.
  • schooling size issue: Ember Tetra should be kept in a group of at least 8, not as a single add-on.
avoid

Horned Nerite Snail

  • predator/prey risk: Horned Nerite Snail is prey-sized compared with adult Betta.