The Betta Fish is also commonly known as the Japanese fighting fish. This is because they fight other fish that they don’t get along well with. Before putting Betta in a tank with other fish, it is important to understand what types of fish they can be in a tank with.
There are plenty of fish that can live in a tank with a Betta. Even though they have aggressive tendencies, that doesn’t mean they have to be kept completely alone all the time. As long as you know what fish can and can’t live peacefully with a Betta, you are in the clear.
Rainbow Fish
Rainbow fish are beautiful fish that live in freshwater. Surprisingly, there are more than 50 species of rainbowfish around the world. However, you won’t find all of them in your local pet store. The one thing to remember about rainbow fish is that they are very peaceful but active.
Rainbow fish get along with just about any fish as long as they are around the same size as them. It is recommended that they be kept with non-aggressive fish. Since they are schooling fish, so it is best to keep a minimum of six of them together.
The water should be kept between 74 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit with a pH level of 7.0 to 8.0. It is also important to keep the alkalinity between 5 degrees and 20 degrees. Due to their activity, rainbow fish will need plenty of room to swim around.
Betta Fish
Betta fish are by far one of the most popular freshwater fish. They are so popular because they come in so many different shapes and colors. Their aggressive behavior is mostly off-putting for people who are new to keeping fish, but if they are fed properly there should be no issue.
Male betta fish are extra popular due to their flowy and fancy tails with unique patterns and vivid colors. Females will be less aggressive than males, but they don’t have the fancy tails. There are more than 70 different species of betta fish, but the ones we see in pet stores are selectively bred with unique traits.
Tetra AquaSafe Plus, 8.45 Ounces, aquarium Water Conditioner And Dechlorinator, Model Number: 46798162681
$8.49 (as of July 14, 2024 06:58 GMT +03:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
API TAP WATER CONDITIONER Aquarium Water Conditioner 16-Ounce Bottle
(as of July 14, 2024 07:00 GMT +03:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
API STRESS COAT Aquarium Water Conditioner 4-Ounce Bottle (85B)
40% OffBetta fish that are purple-colored are said to be the rarest type of betta, and this color will always be more expensive than others if you can find one. Yellow betta fish are also incredibly rare and won’t be seen often. The most common color betta is the steel blue and royal blue betta.
Betta fish prefer water that is calm. The pH level needs to stay between 6.8 and 7.5. If the water is kept too cold, the betta will become more susceptible to disease and inactive. For the health of a betta, it is best to keep the temperature between 76- and 85-degrees Fahrenheit.
Quick Betta Checklist
When trying to figure out which fish can live with a betta, there are some things you will need to keep in mind. First, make sure they are kept away from fish that are known to nibble. If a betta gets nibbled on, they will not hesitate to bite and fight back.
Fish that have lots of colors and are larger than the betta are also intimidating to bettas. If the betta feels intimidated, they will try to be the bigger fish and cause a fight. This said, if you want to socialize your betta with other fish, your tank needs to be large enough.
Betta will typically get along well with bottom feeders such as catfish and plecos. This is because they tend to stay at the bottom of the tank and won’t interfere much with the betta fish. You should also add tank ornaments and plants for other fish to hide if they become intimidated.
Quick Rainbow Fish Checklist
Rainbow fish are fast swimmers, so they can easily intimidate other fish that swim slower. It is best to place them with other fish that swim quickly. Rainbow fish get along best with other fish with similar temperaments and size as the rainbow fish.
Due to their calm personality, they can be kept with fish that are larger than them without feeling threatened. They are going to get along best with fish that are active like they are and eat a similar diet to their own.
Rainbow fish also get along with bottom feeders like catfish and plecos because they are not easily intimidated by the speed of rainbow fish. Some other great tank mates would be angelfish, loaches, guppies, danios, and tetras.
Rainbow Fish and Betta?
Rainbow fish and betta might not be the best idea for tank mates. Rainbow fish are larger than betta fish, which can be intimidating to the betta. An intimidated betta fish will be quick to attack, so it is best to keep them apart.
Betta fish and rainbow fish also have very different temperaments. Betta fish are aggressive and rainbow fish are relaxed and peaceful. The rainbow fish will often feel skittish around the betta fish, which can cause them anxiety and make them unhappy.
Rainbow fish are also likely to nip if they are kept in smaller numbers. This is because they are a schooling fish, so they get anxious when they aren’t around enough fish of the same species. This can cause problems between rainbow fish and betta fish, as betta fish don’t like nippers.
Summary
Rainbow fish and betta fish are both super popular freshwater fish to keep as pets. While they both live in similar tank water conditions, these two fish are not likely to be the best tank mates. Betta fish are typically aggressive, while rainbow fish are calm and relaxed.
Betta fish are easily intimidated by fish that are larger than them, which the rainbow fish is. An intimidated betta fish is not a friendly betta fish. Rainbow fish are also known to nip when they are in small numbers, which betta fish do not appreciate. When they are nipped, betta will bite back.
Hi, my name is Sean, and I’m the primary writer on the site. I’m blogging mostly about freshwater and saltwater aquariums, fish, invertebrates, and plants. I’m experienced in the fishkeeping hobby for many years. Over the years I have kept many tanks, and have recently begun getting more serious in wanting to become a professional aquarist. All my knowledge comes from experience and reading forums and a lot of informative sites. In pursuit of becoming a professional, I also want to inspire as many people as I can to pick up this hobby and keep the public interest growing.
Read more about Sean.
Please join also my Facebook group.
