Many new fish keepers start with a single betta fish in a small bowl or tank. It does not take long to fall in love with their personality and beauty. Naturally, the next thought is often about getting them some friends. You might wonder if these solitary fish can actually live with other species.

The short answer is yes. While bettas are known for being territorial, they can coexist peacefully with certain tank mates. The trick is to choose the right fish and set up the aquarium correctly. This guide will walk you through the best options and help you build a thriving community tank.

How Betta Temperament Affects Tank Mates

Bettas are known for bold colors and strong personalities. Males, in particular, guard their space and react fast to movement. Aggressive tank mates or flashy finned fish push them into fight mode. Calm species that stay out of the betta’s personal zone create a much smoother dynamic.

Tank size matters a lot here. A minimum of 20 liters for a single betta keeps stress low. Community tanks work better at 40 liters or more, giving each fish room to settle into its own routine. Stable water conditions and visual breaks like plants and driftwood help prevent constant eye contact, which reduces tension.

Important Rules for Choosing Tank Mates

Before you rush to the store, there are some specific things you must consider. Not every fish is a good match for a betta. Your betta fish has a specific personality and physical needs that limit your options.

Avoid Bright Colors and Long Fins

Bettas are visually oriented fish. They often see bright colors and long flowing fins as a threat or a rival male. Fish like fancy guppies or long-finned danios are usually a bad idea because your betta may attack them. You should look for fish with shorter fins and more subtle colors to keep the peace.

Match the Water Conditions

Your betta is a tropical fish that needs warm water between 78 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It also prefers soft and slightly acidic water. Any tank mate you choose must thrive in these exact same conditions. Cold water fish like goldfish or White Cloud Mountain Minnows are not suitable because they will suffer in the heat that a betta needs.

Consider the Tank Size

A community tank requires much more space than a single betta does. If you want to add other fish, you will need at least a 15 or 20 gallon tank. Smaller tanks do not offer enough territory for everyone. Crowded tanks lead to stress, disease, and fighting. Always prioritize swimming space and hiding spots.

Top 12 Best Fish That Can Live With Bettas

Here is a detailed list of fish that are generally considered safe and compatible with bettas. Remember that every betta has a different personality. Always have a backup plan in case your specific betta decides not to play nice.

1. Harlequin Rasboras 

Harlequin Rasboras are widely considered the single best fish to keep with bettas. These small fish come from the same Southeast Asian waters as wild bettas. They naturally live together in the wild so they already know how to coexist.

Their coloring is a distinct copper orange with a black triangular patch on the back. This color is not flashy enough to annoy a betta. They are schooling fish so you should keep a group of at least six together. A school of Harlequins will stick together in the middle of the tank while your betta patrols the top. They are peaceful and hardy which makes them perfect for beginners.

2. Kuhli Loaches 

Kuhli Loaches are excellent tank mates because they almost never interact with your betta. These eel-like fish stay at the very bottom of the tank and are most active at night. They love to burrow into soft sand or hide under driftwood during the day.

Your betta will likely ignore them completely since they occupy such different areas of the tank. Kuhli Loaches are social creatures that feel safer in groups of three or more. They do a great job of cleaning up uneaten food that sinks to the bottom. Their unique worm-like appearance adds a fun variety to the look of your aquarium.

3. Ember Tetras 

Ember Tetras are tiny and peaceful fish that pose no threat to a betta. They have a beautiful translucent orange color that looks amazing against green plants. They grow to less than an inch long so they have a very low bioload on your filter system.

These tetras are schooling fish and need a group of six to ten to feel secure. Their small size makes them fast enough to dart away if a betta gets curious. However they are generally so peaceful that bettas ignore them. They prefer the same warm water and planted environments that bettas love.

4. Corydoras Catfish 

Corydoras or Cory Cats are adorable bottom feeding fish that are constantly scavenging for food. They are armored catfish but they have a very gentle and goofy personality. They will scoot along the substrate and clean up any mess your betta leaves behind.

There are many types of Corydoras but the Panda Cory and Pygmy Cory are best for betta tanks. These varieties stay small and will not outgrow a standard 20 gallon aquarium. They must be kept in groups of at least six because they get lonely and stressed on their own. Their frantic wiggling movement does not seem to trigger aggression in most bettas.

5. Bristlenose Plecos 

The Bristlenose Pleco is a fantastic option if you have a larger tank of 30 gallons or more. Unlike the Common Pleco which grows massive the Bristlenose stays around four to five inches. They are famous for their ability to eat algae and keep tank glass clean.

These fish are built like tanks and have thick skin that protects them from any potential betta nips. They spend most of their time attached to driftwood or hiding in caves. Bettas rarely bother them because they move slowly and stay out of the open water. Males grow distinctive bristles on their nose that look quite unique.

6. Otocinclus Catfish

If you need an algae eater for a 10 or 20 gallon tank the Otocinclus is your best bet. These tiny catfish only grow to about two inches long. They are extremely peaceful and will spend all day scrubbing algae off your plant leaves and glass.

They are very fast swimmers and can easily escape a slow moving betta. Otocinclus are social and need to be in groups of at least four. They can be sensitive to water quality so you should only add them to a tank that has been running for a few months. A mature tank also ensures there is enough natural algae for them to eat.

7. Rummy Nose Tetras

Rummy Nose Tetras are famous for their bright red faces and black and white checkered tails. They are known as some of the tightest schooling fish in the hobby. This means they stick very close together as they swim back and forth across the tank.

This schooling behavior creates a "safety in numbers" effect that confuses predators. A betta will find it hard to single out one fish to bully. Rummy Nose Tetras are very active swimmers so they need a tank that is at least 20 gallons long. They are also good indicators of water quality because their red noses will turn pale if the water parameters are bad.

8. Celestial Pearl Danios 

Celestial Pearl Danios are stunning little fish that look like they are covered in tiny galaxy stars. They were formerly known as Galaxy Rasboras. They are very small and shy fish that prefer to hide among dense plants.

Because they are so skittish they tend to stay out of the betta's way naturally. They are fast when they need to be but prefer to hover in the lower parts of the tank. They do best in a heavily planted tank where they can feel safe. Their small size means you can keep a nice school of them without overcrowding the water.

9. Lambchop Rasboras 

Lambchop Rasboras look very similar to Harlequin Rasboras but they are slightly smaller. You can tell them apart because their black patch looks like a lamb chop rather than a triangle. They are even more peaceful and shy than their Harlequin cousins.

These fish are excellent for bettas that might be slightly more aggressive. The Lambchop Rasbora is less likely to compete for food or territory. They bring a nice splash of orange color and schooling movement to the middle layer of your aquarium. They are very hardy fish that adapt well to a variety of conditions.

10. Clown Plecos

The Clown Pleco is another small catfish species that works well in medium sized tanks. They only grow to about three or four inches long. They have a wood eating diet so you must have driftwood in your tank for them to chew on.

They are very reclusive fish that will spend most of the day hiding. This makes them perfect tank mates because your betta will barely know they exist. They come out at night to feed and explore. Their pattern is a nice mix of dark brown and tan stripes. They produce a fair amount of waste so good filtration is important.

11. Cherry Barbs

Most barb species are known to be fin nippers but Cherry Barbs are the exception. These are very peaceful fish that do not have the aggressive streak of Tiger Barbs. The males turn a bright cherry red when they are happy and healthy.

They are active swimmers but they are not frantic. This calm movement is less stressful for a betta to watch. Cherry Barbs will use the whole tank but often hang out near the bottom and middle. They are sturdy fish that can handle a bit of chasing if your betta gets moody. Keep a mix of males and females to see their best colors.

12. Glass Catfish 

Glass Catfish are some of the most interesting fish you can own because they are completely transparent. You can see their bones and internal organs through their skin. This lack of color makes them practically invisible to a betta which is a great defense.

They are extremely sensitive and shy fish that need a well established tank. You must keep them in a group of at least five or they will waste away from stress. They hover in place in the middle of the water facing the current. They need excellent water quality and a very gentle water flow to thrive.

How to Set Up Your Betta Community Tank

Putting fish together is about more than just buying them and dropping them in. You need to create an environment where everyone feels safe. The layout of the aquarium plays a major role in reducing aggression.

Create Visual Barriers

The most effective way to stop fighting is to break the line of sight. If your betta cannot see the other fish across the tank, he is less likely to chase them. You should use tall plants, driftwood, and rock structures to divide the space. A bare tank is a recipe for disaster because there is nowhere to hide.

Add Plenty of Plants

Live plants are the best decoration for a betta community tank. They help clean the water and provide soft resting spots near the surface for your betta. Plants like Java Fern, Anubias, and Amazon Swords are easy to grow and offer great cover. Floating plants are also excellent because they dim the light, which makes many fish feel more secure.

Introduce the Betta Last

This is a helpful trick that many experts use. If your betta is already in the tank, he may see any new fish as intruders in his territory. It is often better to put the other schooling fish in the tank first. Let them get settled for a few weeks. Then, introduce the betta. Since he is the newcomer, he might be less inclined to claim the whole tank immediately.

Have a Backup Plan

Sometimes you do everything right and it still does not work. Some bettas are simply too aggressive to live with other fish. You should always have a spare tank or a plan to separate the fish if you see signs of violence. Watch for torn fins, missing scales, or fish that are hiding constantly. If you see these signs, you must separate them immediately.

About Tropicflow

When you are ready to start your tank, the most important piece of the puzzle is the betta fish itself. You want a healthy, vibrant fish that will be the centerpiece of your aquarium.

At Tropicflow, we specialize in high-quality bettas that are perfect for your new setup. We carefully source and care for our fish to ensure they are healthy and ready for their new homes. You can find our stunning selection of male bettas at our Male Betta Collection. If you prefer the personality of a female, be sure to check out our Female Betta Collection. We are here to help you find the perfect fish for your aquatic journey.