Bernard Ladenthin, CC BY 4.0
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Betta
Betta splendens
Also known as Siamese Fighting Fish, Plakat
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A striking, hardy fish that breathes surface air and thrives in a warm, planted tank with gentle flow. Males fight each other and can attack long-finned fish, so plan on one male as the star of the tank. A great first fish for beginners who skip the tiny bowls sold beside them.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 11 US gal
- Footprint
- 18 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 72–86 °F
- pH
- 6–8
- Hardness
- 1–15 dGH
- Swim zone
- Top
- Min group
- Single fish
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years
Betta tank mates and swim zone
Top
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Corydoras aeneus
Corydoras aeneus (albino)
Pangio kuhlii
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Small enough for some bettas to hunt. Only try this in a larger, heavily planted tank, and have a backup plan.
Neocaridina davidi
Baby shrimp will likely be eaten and some bettas hunt adults too. Add adults only, with dense cover, and accept that you may lose some.
Caridina multidentata
Big enough that most bettas leave adults alone, though some will nip at the feelers. Give them plants to shelter in.
Neritina natalensis
Many guides recommend this pairing, but others warn that a small nerite can be knocked loose and eaten. Keep an eye on it after adding one.
Trichogaster lalius
A close relative with a similar shape, so the two often fight over territory.
Common tank-mate questions
- What fish can live with bettas?
- Can Bettas Live With Corydoras?
- Can Bettas Live With Guppies?
- Can Bettas Live With Harlequin Rasboras?
- Can Bettas Live With Kuhli Loaches?
- Can Bettas Live With Mollies?
- Can Bettas Live With Neon Tetras?
- Can Bettas Live With Plecos?
- Can Bettas Live With Shrimp?
- Can Bettas Live With Snails?
Betta feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed a small meal of quality betta pellets, about what it can finish in a minute or two.
- Offer small live or frozen foods, such as daphnia or brine shrimp, regularly for better color and condition.
- Do not overfeed. Bettas are especially prone to obesity, so stop before the belly looks swollen.
Telling males from females
Males are more colorful and have much longer fins. Females are smaller and plainer, with shorter fins.
Betta care mistakes to avoid
- Never keep two males together. They will fight, often until one is badly hurt.
- Avoid fish with long or trailing fins, such as fancy guppies. A betta can mistake them for a rival.
- Skip the bowl or vase. Our sourced minimum is a heated, filtered tank of 11 US gallons.
- Keep strong filter flow away from your betta. Its long fins make it a weak swimmer, so choose a gentle filter.
- Use a lid and leave an air gap. Bettas breathe from the surface and need warm, humid air above the water.
Betta tank setup
The essentials for a small, gently filtered tank.
TankAt least 11 US gal (41 L), 45 x 30 cm
The smallest tank our sources give for Betta. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts) and have at least this much floor.
Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium 20 Long US
Eheim clearTank 73 Spain
Why we chose these (Best 10-Gallon Fish Tank: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits Betta, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Betta's temperature range.
Tetra Complete LED Aquarium Kit 20 Gallon US
Check the heater's setting
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 54 L Spain
Heater preset to 25 °C
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 80 L Spain
Heater preset to 25 °C
Why we chose these (Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
FilterAir-driven sponge filter
Gentle flow that small fish and long fins can handle, plus a safe home for good bacteria.
Aquarium Co-Op Coarse Sponge Filter (Small) US
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter US
Tetra Brillant Filter Spain
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 10-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 72–86 °F (22–30 °C)
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 25 W at 5 gallons, 50 W at 10. Keeps a small tank stable. Adjustable models let you set the temperature your species needs. Size up for a cold room.
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater US
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 50 W US
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater Spain
Eheim Thermocontrol e 50 Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 10-Gallon Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water conditionerDechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es · Maker's details
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test kitLiquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link) · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply · Maker's details
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
SubstrateAny substrate
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorFares best in a shady, well planted tank with surface cover; clay pots, pipes, driftwood and dried leaves add shelter.
We are still choosing products for this.
PlantsSafe with live plants
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
Where to buy Betta
We have not found a store that sells Betta under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Betta FAQ
What size tank does a betta need?
Seriously Fish suggests a base of 45 x 30 cm, which is about 11 US gallons (41 liters), for a single male or a pair. Add plants and floating cover so your betta feels secure.
Can a betta live with other fish?
Sometimes, but it is not a standard community fish, and many do best alone. If you add tank mates, pick small, calm, short-finned species, watch closely for the first few days, and have a backup tank ready.
Does a betta need a heater and a filter?
Yes. Bettas do best at a stable 72–86°F, so most homes need a heater. A gentle sponge filter keeps the water clean without pushing your fish around.
Why does my betta swim to the surface for air?
That is normal. Bettas have a labyrinth organ that lets them breathe air from the surface. Keep the path to the surface clear of heavy plant cover and do not fill the tank to the very top.
How long do bettas live?
Care guides most often report 3–5 years with good care. Stable temperature, clean water, and a careful diet make the biggest difference.
Betta facts and sources
- Family
- Osphronemidae
- Native to
- Central Thailand
- Adult size
- 2.8 in (7 cm)
- Temperament
- Territorial/Aggressive
- Social needs
- Solitary/Centerpiece
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Water flow
- Low/Still
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Will Eat Shrimp
- Fin nipping
- Low
- Vulnerable to nippers
- Yes
- Breeding
- Moderate
Sources
- Seriously Fish: Tank size, water ranges and behavior
- FishBase: Cross-check of water ranges and size
Lifespans are approximate and come from aquarium care guides, because these databases rarely publish them.
Where sources differ, we show the Seriously Fish aquarium figures.
Spotted something wrong? Report a parameter correction. For a sick fish, see our veterinary disclaimer.