underscorebass2

I currently have a male and female betta in separate 2.5 gal bowls right now, but I just set up my new 12 gallon tank. Are there any fish that my betta would get along w/? Also, should I keep the male/female separate or can I put both of them in the tank? Any help is appreciated.

sgould

Trying to keep bettas with other fish is a hit and miss proposition. Some have done it successfully, others have run into trouble. If you decide to try, choose tank mates with small fins. The larger the tank, the better as well. I know a 12 gallon is a very nice size for a betta. I am not sure if it is large enough for betta + friends...some of the others have quite a bit of experience with bettas and can address that better than I. Good luck!

Chief_waterchanger

We have a couple of Betta tanks going with bristlenose pleco in them. (try putting snails of some sort! our betta spends every waking moment flaring for our ramshorn snails.) hehehe

COBettaCouple

Bettas mostly will get along with otos and corys.. other fish it's a gamble and you have to have a plan B for the other fish. I'd never recommend putting betta splendens together except during a carefully done breeding, you'll most likely end up with 1 dead and 1 dying betta in the end. There is a species of wild betta - betta mahachai that can be kept together with success, but they are a unique species of betta.

underscorebass2

Do you think there would be a problem putting one redtail shark in the tank? I don't know if the betta gets along with those species.. my betta seems to be passive though, I've put the mirror up to the tank a couple of time and haven't seen any real aggressiveness out of him yet..

COBettaCouple

http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-RedTailShark.htm - the red tail sharks grow to 6". The problem you'll like run into with that fish is him harassing or killing the betta The temperment of cats make them good for Bettas, but corys and otos work out the best because they're similiar in size to bettas.

Carillon

Keep in mind also that you can use a divider to separate the male and female bettas, just as you would two male bettas. This will allow you to keep them both in the 12 gallon without worrying about any injuries. You can buy dividers from petstores, but I think there's also a link in the Do It Yourself forum on how to make one of these from plastic craft mesh.

Best of luck rehousing your fish!

jayfl234

betta mahachai i did not know that their was a betta that could coexist togeather.

COBettaCouple

yea, they're a very interesting betta species.