Finding suitable tank mates for a male betta

[tidebrook]

I'm looking for some ideas on peaceful tank mates for my betta, Bleu. He's a pretty chill guy, but I know most bettas are aggressive, so I've kept him solo in my 2.5 gallon tank. I'm planning to upgrade to a 5 or 10 gallon tank soon and I'm not sure how he'll do with tank mates. I've had him to myself for so long, I don't know how territorial he'll be.

I know a 2.5 gallon tank is the bare minimum for a betta, and I've learned a lot since getting Bleu. I'm looking to upgrade soon and give him some more space. What are some good peaceful fish that can coexist with a betta like Bleu?

[boomer]

I'm not convinced that introducing tankmates to Bleu in a larger tank would be the best idea. Yes, it can work sometimes, but I've seen too many threads where everything seems fine initially, only to have the betta turn on its tankmates months later. I think it's better to work with their natural instincts rather than against them. The issue is, most small fish tend to view a betta's elaborate fins as an easy target, and it's not uncommon for them to get nipped or shredded. I've had personal experience with this - I once had a betta that ate my neons, and I've also seen small tetras wreak havoc on a betta's fins. It's just not worth the risk, even if some people claim it works. Bettas are naturally territorial, so it's best to assume that's the case and plan accordingly.

[sSjey]

I'd personally recommend upgrading to a 5-gallon tank, but keeping it a solo setup for your betta - they really do thrive on their own. If you're looking for some company for him, a snail could be a great option; I'd stick with a nerite, though, since they have shorter antennae and are less likely to get nipped at. Those snails with long antennae just seem like they'd be too tempting for a curious betta. As for your current 2.5-gallon tank, I wouldn't risk introducing any fish - it's just too small. Shrimp might be okay, but only if you've got a lot of live plants to provide them with some cover and security.

[tidebrook]

Thanks so much for the advice, boomer and sSjey - I really appreciate it. I think I'm going to take your suggestions and upgrade to a bigger tank soon. Maybe I'll add some shrimp for company, I've heard they can do well in a peaceful environment like the one I'm trying to create for Bleu. I'm glad I learned more about the needs of my betta and what's best for him.

[sSjey]

In my experience with keeping bettas, I've noticed a wide range of reactions to shrimps. Some of my bettas completely ignored both adult and baby shrimps, while others left the adults alone but saw the babies as a snack. Then there were those that just went on a shrimp-killing spree, leaving me to clean up the mess. It really comes down to the individual betta's personality and temperament.

On the other hand, I've never had a betta attack a nerite snail. I did have one instance where a betta flared at a nerite that was making its way up the glass wall, but that was as far as it went.

[oceanix]

I had a similar experience with my betta and a nerite snail. At first, he was quite aggressive towards the nerite, attempting to attack it on multiple occasions. However, after realizing that his usual tactics weren't effective, he eventually lost interest. I recall being amused by his frustration as he tried to figure out how to catch the nerite.

It's worth noting that my betta had previously been in a tank with a small pond snail infestation, which he thoroughly enjoyed hunting and devouring. He would rip them off the glass and feast on them, and it was quite entertaining to watch. Needless to say, the pond snails didn't last long. When I introduced the nerite, I was curious to see how he would react, and as I mentioned earlier, he was initially quite aggressive but eventually gave up.

[tidebrook]

I had a similar experience with my betta and a nerite snail. At first, he was quite aggressive towards the nerite, attempting to attack it on multiple occasions. However, after realizing that his usual tactics weren't effective, he eventually lost interest. I recall being amused by his frustration as he tried to figure out how to catch the nerite.

It's worth noting that my betta had previously been in a tank with a small pond snail infestation, which he thoroughly enjoyed hunting and devouring. He would rip them off the glass and feast on them, and it was quite entertaining to watch. Needless to say, the pond snails didn't last long. When I introduced the nerite, I was curious to see how he would react, and as I mentioned earlier, he was initially quite aggressive but eventually gave up.

That's really funny. I'm seriously considering getting a Nerite now.