Betta Compatibility?

[Carapar56]

Does anyone know a few good species that would be good with a betta, probably female, in a 10 gallon tank? I'm setting up my 20 gallon soon and I'm moving the 2 fish from my 10 to my 20 so I'll have an already cycled 10 gallon. Is there anything I can stock it with, that would work with a betta? Maybe a type of tetra, or catfish? Anything. I really want a betta but I don't want it to be all alone. I want something, maybe a tetra or species of cory idk.

[genocidex]

females are the better choice over males for community but it still can be hit miss. maybe a small school of small loaches with her? they shouldnt bother a betta and the betta shouldnt bother them...

[Carapar56]

Hmm alright. I'll see what I can find. I'll have to get them online which sucks though. No stores near me seem to stock any species of loach other then clown -_- And I'll get a female. Actually.. Would multiple females work? Maybe 1 - 3? Or maybe a pair?

[genocidex]

i personaly have never had luck with multiples, females or pairs.... again they are hit miss. but cybera should be chiming in on this at some point. i believe she has a few tanks with multiple females. also to answer your other question smaller tetras might work, rasboras also might work. again its hit miss. if you have a lfs other than a petco type store then ask if they can find you some you might be surprised.

basically bettas + other fish always = uncertain.....

[inuudo]

You could do a betta sorority, or if you want only one betta, you could have a small school of cories with it.

[Carapar56]

I'll see. When I go into the store. I'll find a betta I really like. If I happen to like more than one. I'll get them and hope they work XD

[koaladarshana]

I've had luck keeping endler's and dwarf cories with bettas, but then again I've had bettas that would not even tolerate a snail... they have such unique personalities. You'll have to try and see what works... make sure you can return or re-home any potential companions if they do not work, and you'll want to think about stocking fish that are much smaller and faster than your betta like endler's.

[Tiari]

Some relatively realistic options:

Small school of Neons (around 10)
Small school of Harlequin Rasbora (around 6-7)
Mystery or Nerite snails

As long as the Betta is female, this should work. I currently have 10 Neons with a female in a ten gallon, and they get along well. Again, as someone else said, its hit or miss.

They key is to have the school in the tank FIRST. I've found Betta are -less- likely to be aggressive to a pre-existing entity, than if you introduce tank mates after the Betta has "claimed its territory".

I would not recommend cory cats, as they need a larger school then a ten gallon can handle.

[fishmommie]

bettas clearly are hit and miss depending on their personality. I had a male betta in a 30 gal with DW gourami, cories and platies. Not a single problem. I currently have a male betta in a 5.5 gallon with 6 neons and again, no problem. I think the key is having plenty of obstacles for them to hide in or behind so they aren't always in each other's line of site. In my case, there's never been any aggression and they live peacefully but my bettas have been very, very mellow.
As has been said, just have a back up plan in case you need to get something out of there in a hurry.

[funkman262]

GUPPIES!!!!!
lol just kidding

They key is to have the school in the tank FIRST. I've found Betta are -less- likely to be aggressive to a pre-existing entity, than if you introduce tank mates after the Betta has "claimed its territory".

Great advice. I've read this plenty of times and it makes perfect sense. But, as everyone seems to agree on, they're very temperamental and it comes down to the individual betta.