Best Betta fish tank mates in 10 gallon

Betta fish is a trendy freshwater fish with an awesome, beautiful, and unique look. Even though they are really beautiful, Betta fish tank mates are such an important thing to consider.

The reason that Betta fish hard to keep most of the other fish is, that the Betta fish is getting aggressive quickly. The aggressive behavior of this fish is natural and it’s their nature. Also, they are even getting aggressive over them.

This is why considering the best betta fish tank mates is very important. Otherwise, the tank will be a mess.

In this article, I am going to talk about what are the best tank mates for betta fish in 10 gallons of freshwater fish tanks.

A few things about Betta fish

Betta fish is scientifically known as the “Betta splendens“. They are native to Southeast Asia, including countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Malaysia.

Betta is a smaller fish in body size, typically a well-grown adult Betta fish is growing to around 2.5 to 3 inches (6 to 7.5 cm) in length.

One specific reason that Betta fish is popular in the world is their striking and diverse coloration, which includes shades of red, blue, green, yellow, and even iridescent colors.

These fish have their own living standards. With better care, they can live up to 2 to 4 years on average. But this can be longer too.

Bettas are aggressive in their nature. Males are getting highly aggressive over other male Bettas and also with some other freshwater fish varieties.

This is the main reason that you should consider and need to have a better knowledge of what are best tank mates for your Betta fish. Because adding the wrong one may cost their lives.

Facts need to be considered when selecting a Betta fish tank mates

Let’s first discuss what should be the characteristics of the fish to become a tank mate for our super start, the Betta fish.

Well for that, first we should consider, what are specialties and the known characteristics of the Betts fish.

The Betta fish is a fast swimmer, they are ready to attack always when they feel a threat. If you have closely monitored a Betta fish, you may see that they like to spend most of their time near the top level part of the tank.

Crowntail-Betta-fish
Crowntail Betta fish

So. now we clear what facts we should consider when selecting the best Betta fish tank mates.

First, you should make sure that the tank mate is a fast swimmer too. Because slow swimmers can be a victim.

Second, the tank mate should be a peaceful one, since the Betta fish is a fighter and gets aggressive quickly.

Peaceful tank mates will have a higher chance to live without getting in trouble with your Betta fish.

The third most important thing is it’s better, the tank mate is not spending much time near the top level of the tank.

In this way, there is less chance that the other fish will have less chance to invade each other’s private territory. So the fish species that mostly spend their time at the bottom of the tank will be the best fit.

Also, the aquarium fish species that spend most of their time in the middle of the aquarium would be okay with Bettas.

The last main fact is, that the tank mates and the count of tank mates should match a 10-gallon tank.

What are the best Betta fish tank mates?

After some bunch of details and considerations, here we are going to discuss our main topic. Here I am going to write about a list of fish that we can add as Betta mates in 10-gallon tanks.

These tank mates are selected by considering the above factors. Adding a well-matching tank mate for your loving Betta fish can be a challenge.

However, if you fully read this article, you will get a better understanding of which are the best tank mates for your Betts fish. So let’s dive in.

Corydoras

cory-catfish-corydoras
Corydoras catfish

Cory catfish, also known as the Corydoras are one of the well-known fish that swim and stay near the bottom of the fish tank.

Corydoras also known as Cory catfish and since they live in the bottom line, they are going to be ok with Bettas. This fish is a schooling fish, so there should be at least 4 of them together with a Betta.

Cory catfish are known as peaceful by their nature. So they will not going to challenge the Betta fish. This also makes them a better tank mate for your Betta fish. 

Another useful fact is that, because of the scavenging behavior of Corydoras, They will help to have clean tank substrate by eating leftover food and detritus

By considering all these factors and since they are bottom guys, they are good with the Betta fish. If we go back to the facts we discussed, corydoras are also fast swimmers at the bottom of your tank.

Neon tetra

neon-tetra-care-guide-aquariumfreaks.com
neon-tetra-care-guide-aquariumfreaks.com

Another quite popular little aquarium fish in many countries with an attractive look. If you are a Tetra fish lover, You must heard about the Neon Tetras.

This fish is relatively peaceful, and have some bright colors, Even if they are bright, they are fast. So with enough space Neon Tetra will be a good tank mate for the Betta fish.

Also, Neon Tetra has similar water parameters as the Betta fish. This will make it easy to keep them both in the same fish tank. So you can add Neon Tetra to your list of Betta fish tank mates.

Since Neon Tetra is a colorful fish, these two guys can give a well visual interest to your aquarium. As an aquarium lover, you will get an attractive view of your fish tank with them.

The neon tetra is also a schooling fish so make sure you add at least 5 of them together. Also same as the Betta fish, Neon tetra is also sensitive to water conditions.

Harlequin Rasboras

The third place in this article is another better choice to add to your list of Betta fish tank mates is another fantastic little fish which is known as the Harlequin Rasbora.

This fish is a beautiful and a good active fish for a freshwater aquarium. Also, this fish is known as one of the best tank mates for Betta fish.

This fish is also peaceful by their nature. This is the first best factor to make them a good Betta fish tank mate because Bettas are aggressive by their nature. 

Because of the natural peaceful behavior, your Harlequin Rasboras will not go to give challenges to the Betta fish. So there will be no conflicts happen if they live together in the same fish tank.

Same as the other two types above, the Harlequin Rasbora is also a schooling fish. And the good thing is they good with Bettas.

In 10 gallons of a tank, and since they are schooling fish, a maximum of 5 Rasboras are good to go in your tank.

Zebra Danio

Zebra Danio | Ruaraidh Gillies | Flickr
Zebra Danio | Ruaraidh Gillies | Flickr

I am sure you must have heard about this little and highly active fish in freshwater fish tanks. Danios are always a good choice for an aquarium.

The best thing is that Zebra danio also known as one the best fish can be added to your list of Betta fish tank mates. It’s really fun and a good choice to keep them as a group.

The name zebra came up with their look. Even though they are smaller they are really fast and active in your tank. Also, they look beautiful and give an active look to your fish tank.

Since they are active swimmers and since by nature they are very peaceful, this is definitely one of the best tank mates for your aggressive Betta fish.

Again it’s a schooling fish. So at least 5 of them are good to add into 10 gallons of fish tank. This one is a peaceful fish, hardy fish, and a fast swimmer, So they satisfy some good conditions to become a Betta fish tank mate.

Ember Tetras

How to forget Ember Tetra, when talking about tetras. The good thing is, that you can also add Ember Teteras to your list of Betta fish tank mates. This fish is also highly popular and available.

By nature, Ember Tetra is a peaceful fish and an active swimmer. Also, make sure you add 5 to 6 of them together in 10 gallon tank.

There is another important factor that makes Ember Tetra one of the best Betta fish tank mates. Betta fish and Ember tetra both share similar water parameters.

Because of the peaceful behavior, even when you are having a group of Embert Tetras together with Betta fish, they will not cause trouble to your Betta fish.

But I think, there is another thing you should consider here, do not add many of them as a group. Because all we know that when the population increases, the power is also increases. So take it as a small tip by personal experience.

Also, in addition. This is one of the best fish for a freshwater community fish tank.

Cherry Barb

Barb-fish-types
Cherry barb fish

Barbs are always good freshwater aquarium fish to have. Cherry Barb is one of the best of them. This Barb variety is highly popular based on their beautiful look.

Cherry Barbs are peaceful by their nature. So this smaller and more peaceful fish is also one of the Betta fish tank mates. They are not top swimmers well. 

They also like to live in groups. You can add 5 – 6 Cherry barbs to a 10-gallon tank. Adding more than 4 of them is a good choice.

Also, when considering size compatibility, Cherry Barb and Betts fish both are in similar sizes. This is also can be considered as a fact to make them one of the Betta fish tank mates.

Cherry Barb is known as the best freshwater fish to keep together in an aquarium and they are also one of the best to become a good tank mate for your Betta fish.

Pearl Danio

Another Danio fish species also becomes the best tank mate for the Betta fish. This fish is the same as zebra danio. By nature, this fish is also a very peaceful fish.

They also like to live as a group. So consider adding a few pairs of them together in your fish tank with your Betta fish.

Pearl Danio, is also an attractive little fish and known as one of the good community fish. They also have the same water parameters as Betta fish.

Since its peaceful nature, Pearl Danio not going to start trouble with your active fighter Betta fish. This also makes them live peacefully in the same fish tank.

The conditions and requirements are mostly the same for this fish as the zebra danio fish. Pearl Danio is also an active swimmer and likes to live in a group. Also, this fish is a fast mover.

This fish is also not a top-level swimmer in the fish tank. so not much gets involved with Betta fish.

Conclusion

Betts fish is an attractive and highly popular freshwater fish in the aquarium industry. But they are quite aggressive. The male one is more attractive than the female one. But the male Bettas are also more aggressive than the female bettas.

There are some popular freshwater fish varieties that are identified as the best Betta fish tank mates. This article has shared some of them with you.

In some countries, they are also known as the “Fighter fish” and ” Siamese fighting fish” as well. Even though these are highly attractive fish, they get quite aggressive quickly. The Male fish is the most beautiful one.

You cannot keep 2 males together as they will become deadly fighters. Also, not all other freshwater fish types can live with Betta.

That’s why we need to be careful when selecting the right tank mates for the Betta fish. This article informs you about some of the best Betta fish tank mates for your 10-gallon tank.

There are some more you can add as tank mates for this beautiful fish. you also may add them in the below comment box.

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