Betta
Betta splendens compatibility profile. Find the best tank mates by checking water parameters, aquarium swim zone pressure, social rules, and shrimp-safe verifications.
Core facts & bioload limits
Adult size3"
Minimum tank5 gal
Temperamentaggressive
Group1+
- temperature76-82F
- pH6.5-7.8
- water_hardnessGH 3-12 dGH | KH 2-8 dKH
- plant_safetysafe
- shrimp_safetycaution
- algae_eating_rolenone
- beginner_suitabilityintermediate
Planning resources
Community planning & swim zone pressure
When planning a community around Betta, consider the aquarium swim zone pressure. This species primarily occupies the topmiddle zone. Balance the setup by choosing tank mates that occupy the top or bottom zones to reduce crowding and stress.
Care caveats
- notesMales are territorial and almost always kept singly; pair behavior, shrimp safety, and tankmate choice vary by individual.
- caveatKeep one male per tank; two males fight, and males with females typically need a sorority-style setup with planning and backup tanks.
- caveatAvoid fin-nippers (tiger barb, serpae tetra, black skirt tetra, large danios) — long fins make bettas easy targets.
- caveatShrimp safety is individual: some bettas ignore adult Amano or cherry shrimp, others hunt shrimplets relentlessly; assume risk and have a backup plan.
- caveatNeed a fully cycled, heated, lidded tank with gentle filtration; bowls and unfiltered vases are not suitable housing.
Compatible tank mates
- Pond Snailgreencompatible | minimum 5 galCheck this pair in the planner ->
- Honey Gouramigreencompatible | minimum 10 galCheck this pair in the planner ->
- Mystery Snailgreencompatible | minimum 10 galCheck this pair in the planner ->
- Japanese Trapdoor Snailgreencompatible | minimum 10 galCheck this pair in the planner ->
- Ivory Mystery Snailgreencompatible | minimum 10 galCheck this pair in the planner ->
- Rabbit Snailgreencompatible | minimum 20 galCheck this pair in the planner ->
- Bristlenose Plecogreencompatible | minimum 30 galCheck this pair in the planner ->
- Pearl Gouramigreencompatible | minimum 30 galCheck this pair in the planner ->
- Cherry Shrimpyellowshrimp_predation_risk | minimum 5 galCheck this pair in the planner ->
- Ghost Shrimpyellowshrimp_predation_risk | minimum 5 galCheck this pair in the planner ->
Common pair questions
- Can Betta live with guppy?Pair checker with reason codes
- Can Betta live with neon tetra?Pair checker with reason codes
- Can Betta live with cherry shrimp?Pair checker with reason codes
- Can Betta live with nerite snail?Pair checker with reason codes
- Can Betta live with tiger barb?Pair checker with reason codes
- Can Betta live with common goldfish?Pair checker with reason codes
- Can Betta live with mystery snail?Pair checker with reason codes
- Can Betta live with panda corydoras?Pair checker with reason codes
- Can Betta live with bronze corydoras?Pair checker with reason codes
- Can Betta live with pygmy corydoras?Pair checker with reason codes