They are shy scavengers who like to hide in crevasses and under rocks. These small fish are at risk of your betta’s aggression when they are kept in small numbers but in large schools they usually work well with sororities. You probably don’t want to add more than 3 harlequins to a 10-gallon with a betta, though. This species is relatively young, first bred by Ahmad Yusuf in Indonesia around 25 years ago. The key factors for keeping your Betta happy and healthy are: keep the water and bowl clean by performing regular water changes, feed your Betta a varied diet and avoid letting the water remain cool (below 75 F) for long periods of time. Here’s a list and description of the best species to house with bettas. Some of these species are more active at night too, so your betta won’t be bothered by their activity. They’ll sort through the detritus on the bottom of your tank and clean-up the problem. If you're looking for an inexpensive but still interesting option, this basic three gallon setup offers a few interesting variations to liven up your room. They may view these fish as rivals and attack them. These fish have almost no pigment with the flesh shining through the skin.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_22',123,'0','0'])); If the color pink is fuller, the fish will have a bright and rich pink color on their body and fins. They prefer slightly soft water but tolerate a wide range of conditions. The celestial danio prefers densely planted tanks with plenty of room to school. These attractive schooling and shoaling species work well in large tanks and aren’t flashy enough that your male will think of them as rivals. You will just have to find the one that best suit your taste! The body is dark usually varying from either blue or green. My daughter (3) really enjoys them as they are “friendly” and come to you and hover whenever you pay attention to them. They enjoy shoaling together and are particularly dramatic in large groups. Rosetail Bettaeval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-leader-3','ezslot_10',119,'0','0'])); The Rosetail Betta is a variation of the half-moon where the total spread of the caudal fin is larger than 180°. They prefer densely planted tanks 30-gallons and up. How big of a tank do you need to start a community aquarium? Your Betta’s appearance and behavior is a good way to measure how he is feeling. As the name suggests, this variation was bred to resemble the very popular Koi pond fish.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-sky-3','ezslot_32',140,'0','0'])); This is not a species found in the wild and was carefully bred over the years by aquarium hobbyist to preserve the most amazing characteristics and features. What should I do about this. The information, content and material contained on the site is intended to be of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute professional/medical advice. This was very informative and helpful. There are many types and coloration you just have to find the one you prefer the most.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'fishkeepingworld_com-banner-1','ezslot_9',112,'0','0'])); The Crowntail Betta is one of the most popular freshwater fish. You can pick brightly-colored or red fish for your aquarium if you want. They grow to a maximum of 2-inches in length and prefer to be in groups of at least 3, but 6 fish is even better if your tank is big enough. When kept in a group of 7 to 10, however, they’ll usually leave the betta sorority alone. They are ideal for betta tanks 20-gallons and up and look especially dramatic in large groups of 50+ fish. They prefer planted tanks but are not terribly picky as long as their water is kept clean. They are the same size and have the same care requirements as other nerite snails and make good companions for bettas. The fins of this species have a long spikey crown appearance, however if the webbing reaches more than 2/3 up the tail then it is classified as a different type – the Combtail Betta. The size of your tank matters, but how you arrange your decor and equipment is key to minimizing aggression between your betta fish and their companions. I recommend adding them in groups of 20 for the best visual effect. There are different ways to classify Bettas by looking at the shape of their tails, their patterns and finally colors. They are unique in one aspect—they help control other snail populations by eating their small offspring! He is also a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America and the Nature Conservancy. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. They are a bi-colored variation showing different coloration between body and fins. These shimmering fish look like a school of diamonds swimming together. Have long fins or tails. Colors can be arranged in different patterns on their body and fins which make this fish so remarkable and appreciated across the fishkeeping community. Thank you for the wonderful article. However, is not always this simple and even though the overall color is pink, they will probably have more color variations, from red, to purple and white along their fins, tail and body. This color suddenly stops and is replace by a paler and iridescent color. Larger groups are less likely to entice your female bettas into fighting as well. They have dramatic striped and patterned shells and grow from ½ to 2-inches in diameter. Since they will defend their territory, they are best kept as the only pleco in your 25-gallon or bigger tank and shouldn’t be kept with many other bottom dwellers. You’ll likely have room for one or perhaps two companions at most, however. As they weave in and out of the school they create fascinating patterns of movement. Popular varieties include the Pygmy, Panda, and Albino Cory. It comes in many different colors variations and the overall appearance is quite remarkable. They prefer planted tanks with room for swimming and will school together for safety. While the males show striking colors with long fins and tail, female look quite different.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_2',113,'0','0'])); Usually the female has lighter colors with a shorter tail with a less majestic overall appearance. If you can help, I appreciate it in advance. Betta fish have been bred in all the colors of the rainbow.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-box-4','ezslot_5',111,'0','0'])); When you combine all the different tail shapes, colors and patterns, there are hundreds of different Betta types available and no one fish is the same. They are shy and may take a while to adjust to your betta tank, but once comfortable you’ll find these fish very entertaining. While bettas are usually happy to have a tank to themselves, it’s more fun to build community aquariums. They’ll also come out in force whenever you feed your tank! This dramatic 6.5-inch pleco has a dark brown or black body covered with white spots. These peaceful algae eaters prefer tanks with a lot of plants and places to hide, but one or two should work in a small betta set-up. For this reason, bettas should never be kept in a tank with goldfish, who require colder water to be comfortable. They do well in planted tanks with dim lighting and will school if they’re in a group of 6 or more. These fish can reach 2.5-inches in length and are known for their bright red snouts and black tail markings. He was labeled a “Delta Tail” which and the folks at the pet store thought he had been mislabeled and was actually a more expensive variety. Some varieties also have swirls or other unique markings that really make them stand out in your tank. May be golden/yellow, purple, blue, black, white, or albino colored. They prefer to be in groups of 5 to 7 and usually get on well with female bettas. Often the green is masked under a darker coloration, and if you shine light against it an iridescent green tone can appear. They prefer to dig through your substrate looking for food and require a densely planted tank with lots of hiding places. Planted aquariums can be extremely beneficial for your fish as well as looking great. Since female bettas are less aggressive and territorial than males, you’ll have more options when picking their tank mates. When he hit 24-inches in length I had to rehome him because he started eating my community fish! They are social fish who prefer to be in groups of at least 5, or they tend to hide all the time. Your betta might pick on other fish if they don’t have enough room. Because Betta can live in extremely small spaces, living in rice paddies and drainage ditches in the wild, they have been bred to live alone … While schooling and shoaling fish like tetras can be kept in small 10-gallon set-ups, you won’t have enough room to keep a group of them with your betta. These are also found in the wild exhibiting more dull coloration from dark green, grey and brown. Albino corys typically grow to a maximum of 2-inches in length and are best kept in groups of 5 or more. They come in the most colors variations, generally electric light blue with some color variations (generally dark blue, copper) and have a darker face.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'fishkeepingworld_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_17',124,'0','0'])); Yellow Betta Fish Yellow Betta Fish are also a very common color found. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. These delicate corys require a smooth, sandy or fine gravel substrate to avoid injuring their whiskers. He doesn’t like any moving thing I his tank. They can reach about 3-inches in length when fully grown and prefer planted tanks with hiding places and room to school. Many thanks, Robert. If you’d just like to add a couple of invertebrates to spice up your small set-up, then you may be able to stick with your existing tank, heater and filter. The difference is inthe length of the webbing and the rays. I’m new to this and I really needed your article. These peaceful and entertaining scavengers thrive in small tanks as they search the substrate for food. The last way to classify the different types of Betta Fish is through their pattern. So how do you pick the best betta tank mates for your aquarium? I was wondering if you are aware of multiple shoaling fish causing Betta stress? They usually hide under rocks during the day and float at the top of your tank at night. A single snail is ideal for a small betta tank. These peaceful scavengers grow to about 2.5-inches in length and have gold and black markings on their bodies. Fishkeeping world was created by a school of fish fanatics. It’s best to only keep a single cory species in a 10-gallon set-up. Bright green and dark green variations which are visible with the naked eye do exist but are very rare and often considered very precious.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-portrait-1','ezslot_25',127,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-portrait-1','ezslot_26',127,'0','1'])); Mustard Gas Betta Mustard Gas Betta Fish are quite remarkable. They should not be confused with the plain pearl danio, which is larger and lacks the dramatic color or markings. Best beginner-friendly tanks for betta fish. Thanks for information, very helpful indeed! Our aim is to help educate anyone who wants to keep fish. You’ll definitely want to supplement their diet, or they might just start eating your plants and the other fish’s food. Usually appearing as a striking and full bodied red color, sometimes this red can appear washed off too. Betta fish prefer water in the pH range of 6.5-7.5. If not, I am still a fan and appreciative of the knowledge you’ve already shared : ). Closely related to Mollies and Swordtails, platys are a peaceful livebearing fish that come in a wide range of colors and scale patterns. Upside down cats love to scavenge for food on the underside of your plants and decor. Their bright red color really helps them stand out in your tank and they resemble miniature crayfish. They are bigger than many other species of tetra and do best in tanks 30-gallons and up. If you add too many fish, you might have problems with your water quality. These Bettas are completely white. In this occasion you should watch their diet and water condition as your fish might not be feeling at ease.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'fishkeepingworld_com-netboard-1','ezslot_23',122,'0','0'])); From Plakat to Veiltail, this color is commonly found across most variations of Bettas. Species with similar care requirements to bettas. These are busy fellows. But if you want to keep a group of females or a male and a variety of community fish you’ll need a much bigger tank. You’ll have to pay close attention to your water quality and be diligent about your routine maintenance if you want to keep your tank healthy. Even though bettas are territorial and males tend to be especially aggressive, they don’t do well in semi-aggressive or aggressive community tanks.