Betta Fish
Betta splendens
Family: Osphronemidae • Origin: Southeast Asia
The Betta is the most recognizable aquarium fish. Males display stunning flowing fins in every color imaginable.
Min Tank
5 gal
Max Size
3"
Temperature
76-82°F
pH
6.5-7.5
Lifespan
3 years
School Size
Solo OK
Swim Level
top
Hardness
3-12 dGH
semi-aggressivebeginnercarnivore
Care Tips
- • Never house two males together
- • Needs a heater
- • Minimum 5 gallons (not a bowl)
- • Gentle filtration — dislikes strong current
- • Add floating plants for resting
Feeding: Betta pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp.
Compatibility Notes: Never keep two males together. Avoid fin-nippers and brightly colored fish.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 5 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 10 gallons
- Swimming Level
- top
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 76–82°F
- pH Range
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 3–12
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- semi-aggressive
- Aggression Level
- 3/5
- Schooling
- No
- Territorial
- Yes
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- carnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Never keep two males together. Avoid fin-nippers and brightly colored fish.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- bubble nest
- Breeding Difficulty
- moderate
- Lifespan
- 3 years
Ideal For
5 gallonnano tankbeginnersdesktop tank
Compatible Tank Mates
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Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Congo Tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
75-81°FpH 6-7.530+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+3.5"
Panda Corydoras
Corydoras panda
68-77°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Similar Species
Mosquitofish
Gambusia affinis
60-80°FpH 6.5-810+ gal
semi-aggressive2.5"
Dwarf Gourami
Trichogaster lalius
72-82°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
semi-aggressive3.5"
Gardneri Killifish
Fundulopanchax gardneri
72-79°FpH 6-710+ gal
semi-aggressive2.5"
Wrestling Halfbeak
Dermogenys pusilla
75-82°FpH 7-810+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 3+2.5"