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Betta fish are known to be predators in their aquatic kingdom. They’re also called Japanese fighting fish, thanks to their aggressive nature to other fish. Therefore, it’s commonly recommended that you keep your bettas in a separate tank.

However, your lovely pets don’t have to swim through their life lonely forever.

There are a number of fish and other aquatic critters that bettas can live with. This article will steer you in the right direction for picking a peaceful betta fish tank mate.

Now let’s dive right in.

18 Most Friendly Betta Fish Tank Mates

1. Pygmy Corydoras

Pygmy Corydoras can be a good tank mate for betta fish, yet they contrast to everything that triggers a betta fish. They are not vibrantly colored, do not contain flowing tails, and do not live in the same areas.

Given that the fact that they are peaceful and have solid armor-like scales is precisely why you should select them. If you just start keeping bettas, or you’re not certain about their aggressiveness, then these are the go-to choice.

Moreover, you don’t need to worry about raising them in a large aquarium, thanks to their small size. They can live comfortably in tanks as small as 10 gallons tanks.

If you choose Pygmy Corydoras, remember that they can live up to 3 years and extend up to 1.3 inches in size. They require a temperature between 72-79 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH from 6.5-7.5. Plus, you also need to keep the nitrate levels low.

2. Bronze (Common) Corydoras

If you want a corydoras that’s a bit larger, you can consider Bronze Corydoras. They are brown in color and often grow best in groups of at least 3. You don’t have to worry about their slightly bigger size; they still live comfortably in a 10-gallon tank. Just ensure you keep the water clear.

These fish are good tank mates for bettas as they don’t have any features that promote aggression in betta. Even though they are bottom dwellers, it’s not uncommon for them to reach the surface to breathe air.

Bronze corydoras can live up to 10 years and extend up to 2.5 inches in length. They will require a temperature between 72 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH between 5.8 and 8.

3. Mosquito Rasboras

Though most rasboras can dwell in aquariums that are 10 gallons in size, for Mosquito Rasboras to be comfortable, they will need a tank with at least 15 gallons in capacity. This is because they are really active swimmers. Without enough space to swim, they might become stressed and more aggressive.

Keep in mind that due to their small size, you need to bring plenty of plant life to your aquarium to make sure they don’t get attacked by any other fish you’re raising with them.

Mosquito Rasboras can survive for 4-8 years and reach up to 0.8 inches in length. You have to set the temperatures ranging from 76-82 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH level between 5-7.

4. Endler’s Livebearers

Endler’s livebearers are similar to guppies, but they are not flashy. Both males and females don’t have flowing fins, and they are also vibrantly colored.

When raising Endler’s livebearers, remember that they breed very quickly. Out of all the fish you can select, they are some of the most productive breeders. This is great if your aquarium is large enough; otherwise, you might get out of control.

The good news is their fry can be a delicious meal for your bettas and other species in the tank.

They can extend up to 1.4 inches in size and live for two to three years. The required temperatures vary from 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit and pH levels from 6.7 to 8.5.

5. Guppies

When introducing guppies to your aquarium, of course, caution is going to be revised. And even though they aren’t the most compatible circumstances, they can still be a suitable betta fish tank mate.

The trick is to prevent bringing male guppies to your aquarium. Instead, you should house female guppies with male bettas.

You can expect the guppies to live up to 5 years and grow up to 1.5 inches long.

Moreover, guppies require a 6.8-7.8 pH level and a 74-82 degrees Fahrenheit temperature.

6. Ember Tetras

Ember Tetras are smaller than many other tetras, but don’t let that disappoint you. They’re excellent swimmers, so the possibilities of your betta getting close to them are low. Ember Tetras are fiery red in color and own slim, streamlined bodies to move fast.

One thing to notice is that you should keep these tetras in groups. If they’re alone, they might get stressed, resulting in a premature life.

These fish extend up to 0.8 inches in size and live for 2-4 years. They prefer a temperature from 73-84 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH from 5-7.

7. African Dwarf Frogs

If you’re not intrigued with fish, snails, or shrimp, you can consider African dwarf frogs. They are bottom-dwellers, spending most of their time out of your betta’s way.

If you decide to bring African Dwarf Frogs to your aquarium, ensure your scape is not too high. They need to swim to the top to breathe, and they will suffocate if they cannot do this.

What’s more, be careful when you feed these frogs. They are usually peaceful creatures until the feeding time. If your bettas try to grab their food, they might end up attacking them.

The lifespan of the frogs is up to 5 years, and the maximum length they can achieve is 3 inches. You can keep them in temperatures varying from 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH level from 7-8.

8. Dwarf Rasbora

If you’re searching for some smaller fish to fill your aquarium, then Dwarf Rasbora is an ideal choice. They can extend up to 0.8 inches in size; however, their fast speed makes it hard for your betta to attack them.

They do not have bright colors and flowing fins, which normally triggers aggression in bettas. Make sure you provide them with numerous hiding places, plants, caves, driftwood, or man-made ornaments.

These fish will need to live in an environment with a 75-79 degrees Fahrenheit temperature and a 6-7 pH level.

9. Platies

Another easy-to-care fish – Platies can be a perfect betta fish tank mate. Provided that you stay away from Platies that contain longer ails, then there will be no problem.

They need the same habitat as bettas, and they also benefit from any food you give your betta as well. Nevertheless, you should know that Platies are livebearers. If you bring a bunch of them to the aquarium, their numbers are certainly going to increase. Therefore, they’re a good purchase if you can handle this.

Platies can develop up to 3 inches long and live up to 2-5 years, so long as they live in a proper condition with a 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit temperature and a 7.0-8.3 pH.

10. Rummy Nose Tetras

Rummy Nose Tetras look amazing and extremely peaceful. The possibilities of them nipping your bettas’ fins are rare. Nonetheless, it’s essential to keep them in a school.

When raising Rummy Nose Tetrasd in your aquarium, You need to ensure that you’re offering a lot of open space to swim in, while still giving them many hiding places.

These fish can live up to 5 years and extend up to 2 inches long. They should be kept in an aquarium that is 75-81 degrees Fahrenheit and has a pH between 6.4-7.

11. Octocinclus Catfish

If your bettas don’t adapt well to fish swimming around the middle of the aquarium, you should give it a try for bottom dwellers. And which better bottom dwellers to select than Octocinclus Catfish?

When your Octocinclus Catfish have adapted to your aquarium, they won’t need much care to look after. Nevertheless, as they’re first brought to your tank, they might die if the water isn’t perfect. The best way to get the water proper is by mimicking the parameters they hail from as close as possible.

If you intend to introduce these fish to your aquarium, make sure you create a lot of hiding places. They love hiding, and you might not see them for several days before they appear again.

The fish has a lifespan of 3-5 years and a maximum length of 1.5-2 inches. They thrive well in temperatures from 72-81 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH from 6-7.5.

12. Neon Tetras

Neon Tetras are some of the most widely-seen tropical fish. Thanks to their friendliness and easy caring requirements, they have been a staple in aquariums for a long time. They possess peaceful nature, so they make perfect betta fish tank mates.

Nonetheless, Neon Tetras are not always peaceful. In case they’re not raised in a large enough school, they might become fin nippers. You need to ensure they live in a big enough tank, with at least 20 gallons in capacity. Then these fish will leave your beta alone.

These gorgeous fish can survive up to 5 years and extend up to 1.5 inches long, provided that the tank temperature goes from 70-81 degrees Fahrenheit and the pH level varies from 5-7.5.

13. Malaysian Trumpet Snails

As you can imply from its name, the Malaysian Trumpet Snail is found in Malaysia and some parts of Asia. They’re popular aquarium snails; however, notice that you have to keep an eye on them.

While they can be great betta fish tank mates, they might rapidly overrun your aquarium if you leave them to breed uncontrollably.

These snails have a quite short lifespan of only about one year. They can grow up to 1 inch in size when living in a pH between 7.0 -7.5 and a temperature between 70-78 degrees Fahrenheit.

14. Ramshorn Snails

Another snail option for selecting betta fish tank mates is the Ramshorn Snails. They have their shell similar to a ram’s horn.

In most situations, your betta will not disturb Ramshorn Snails. Nevertheless, if you add them to a planted aquarium, they are going to eat your plants.

Similar to Malaysian Trumpet Snails, Ramshorn Snails can live up to one year only and grow up to 1 inch in size. They thrive best in the aquarium in which the temperatures range between 70-78 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH between 7.0-7.5.

15. Assassin Snails

Assassin Snails are the go-to choice if snails in your aquarium are breeding out of control. Unlike other snails that feed on vegetation, Assassin Snails are carnivores, especially love eating other snails.

If you have no snail in your aquarium, you can provide them with live food like bloodworms which will fall to the bottom for them to eat.

Plus, though they do prefer eating live food, they won’t be a threat to your bettas.

These snails can develop up t0 3 inches in size and live for 2 years. They require a 7-8 pH and 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit temperature.

16. Amano Shrimp

Considered the best algae-eating shrimp, Amano Shrimp can be a good friend with your betta. They are not colorful, in addition to their large size makes them less likely to be eaten by your fish.

They are not aggressive, but during the feeding time, Amano Shrimp tend to grab their food and run away with it. More importantly, the shrimp cannot breed in freshwater, so you don’t need to worry about your aquarium becoming overrun with shrimp. Just make sure you have a lot of hiding areas for them.

This critter can grow up to 2 inches in size, with a lifespan of 2-3 years. The temperature should range from 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH from 6-7.

17. Ghost Shrimp

Ghost Shrimp is considered one of the best critters to get started if you’re uncertain about how your bettas will interact with other tank mates.

As the name implies, they are totally transparent, giving them a special appearance like glass catfish. Ghost Shrimps turn out to be great betta fish tank mates and incredible algae eaters as well.

These useful creatures can extend up to 2 inches long and live up to one year. They prefer a temperature from 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH level between 6.5-8.

18. Cherry Shrimp

This is a type of shrimp that’s a bit more colorful. Cherry Shrimp could turn slightly orange to a bright fiery red, based on the grade you get.

Remember that they are slightly more pricey than other shrimp, so ensure your bettas won’t attack them before bringing them to the aquarium.

Beyond that, they are peaceful betta fish tank mates who won’t bother your fish and get rid of algae very effectively.

Cherry Shrimp are a little bit smaller than ghost shrimp, only extending to about 1.6 inches long, but they can live up to 2 years. Besides, they will want to live in a habitat with a 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit temperature and a 7.0-7.8 pH.

Closing Thoughts

As you see, there is a wide variety of betta fish tank mates to choose from. If you’re still unsure about your selection, let’s begin with shrimp and snails.

Whatever species you pick, just ensure you have a backup plan if things don’t work out. And be ready for some trial and error before you get everything right.