10 Betta Fish Tank Mates That Actually Can Work

Everyone's heard the myth that betta fish have to live alone in total isolation. And in some cases, that is kind of true. Some bettas are extremely aggressive and want to be the only living thing in their tank. But most of the disasters you see in a betta community tank happen because people choose the wrong tankmates based only on what looks pretty at the store instead of what actually works long-term. Also, if you're trying to create a community betta tank in a five gallon aquarium, please stop. You really need space, structure, and a backup plan for a successful community betta tank. So if you have at least a 10 or 20 gallon tank and you're choosing species that actually make sense together, a betta community tank can usually work out. So, we're going over 10 betta fish tankmates that actually can work.

1. The mystery snail

These are one of the easiest betta fish tankmates that you can start with. These snails are basically armored tanks, but having said that, bettas will sometimes go after their antennae, so you'll want to keep an eye out for that. You will also want to be aware of bioload, as mystery snails are known to be heavy eaters, which can mean a lot more waste.

2. Nerite snails

If you want algae control in your betta fish tank without the risk of a snail explosion, nerite snails are a great option. These snails cannot fully reproduce in fresh water. Having said that, they will still try and may leave you eggs on, say, a piece of driftwood. But on the bright side, these snails usually will stick to the glass and generally stay out of your betta's way.

3. Amano shrimp

Unless you're trying to buy your betta fish an expensive snack, please stop wasting your money on cherry shrimp. It's usually not worth it, and amano shrimp are larger, faster, and much better at holding their own, so your betta is far less likely to see them as food.

4. Kuhli loaches

These are arguably one of the best betta fish tankmates out there. They're nocturnal little water noodles that spend almost all of their time in the substrate. The betta fish owns the top of the tank, the kuhli loaches hang out at the bottom, so there's almost no territorial overlap.

5. Pygmy corydoras

Pygmy corys are tiny, peaceful, and stick to the lower levels of the tank. These tiny fish are great in community setups, but you want to keep in mind that these are a schooling fish. So you want to keep a group of at least six for them to feel secure and behave normally.

6. Otocinclus

Otocinclus are basically ghosts in your aquarium. They're peaceful, unobtrusive, and great algae eaters. Just please do not place them in a new tank. These fish need an established aquarium with biofilm and natural algae to survive, as they often will not feed on algae wafers.

7. Harlequin rasboras

Harlequin rasboras actually live alongside betta fish in the wild. They're tight schoolers, fast swimmers, and their body shape and coloration do not resemble a betta in any way, shape, or form, which can help prevent any aggression.

8. Ember tetras

Most tetras are fin-nipping nightmares, but the ember tetra is the exception. They stay small and are extremely chill, adding a nice pop of orange to your aquarium without bothering your fish's fins.

9. Celestial pearl danios

These look almost like tiny little trout and they are absolutely stunning. They can tend to be on the shy side, they do best in a heavily planted tank.

10. The African dwarf frog

Technically not a fish, the African dwarf frog can be a great tank mate for your betta fish with the right setup. Just don't make the mistake of trying to get an African dwarf frog and ending up with an African clawed frog. The biggest challenge with this community tank though is feeding your frogs, as bettas are absolute pigs and they will steal your frog's food. So you will need to target feed your frogs.

When you focus on the needs of the actual species that you're keeping, betta fish tank mates become a lot easier to choose. A community tank usually can work, but you'll always want to have a backup tank ready, just in case your betta decides he or she is the exception.