Can Bettas Live With Corydoras?
Edited by Ivan F.
Short answer
Yes
Yes, in most cases. Corydoras keep to the floor and leave a betta alone, which makes them one of the most often recommended companions, but a betta can still turn on any tank mate.
Bettas spend their time near the surface, while corydoras graze along the bottom, so the two rarely compete for space. A veterinarian writing for PetMD lists corydoras among possible companions, and a retailer and a manufacturer both recommend them. One caution matters: Seriously Fish says bettas are best kept alone, and that tolerating other species is the exception, so watch your own fish.
Each species at a glance
Bronze CorydorasGood match
Albino CorydorasGood match
How they compare
Figures come from our species pages. Shared ranges are where both animals are comfortable.
Betta and Bronze Corydoras
- Adult size
- Betta: 2.8 in (7 cm)
- Bronze Corydoras: 3 in (7.5 cm)
- Minimum tank
- Betta: 11 US gal (41 L)
- Bronze Corydoras: 19 US gal (72 L)
- Temperature
- Betta: 72–86°F (22–30°C)
- Bronze Corydoras: 70–81°F (21–27°C)
- pH
- Betta: 6–8
- Bronze Corydoras: 6–8
- Hardness
- Betta: 1–15 dGH
- Bronze Corydoras: 2–15 dGH
- Temperament
- Betta: Territorial/Aggressive
- Bronze Corydoras: Peaceful
- Swim zone
- Betta: Top
- Bronze Corydoras: Bottom
Shared by both
Temperature: 72–81°F (22–27°C)
pH: 6–8
Hardness: 2–15 dGH
Largest species minimum
19 US gallons (72 L), from Bronze Corydoras. This is a starting point, not a stocking plan.
Betta and Albino Corydoras
- Adult size
- Betta: 2.8 in (7 cm)
- Albino Corydoras: 3 in (7.5 cm)
- Minimum tank
- Betta: 11 US gal (41 L)
- Albino Corydoras: 19 US gal (72 L)
- Temperature
- Betta: 72–86°F (22–30°C)
- Albino Corydoras: 70–81°F (21–27°C)
- pH
- Betta: 6–8
- Albino Corydoras: 6–8
- Hardness
- Betta: 1–15 dGH
- Albino Corydoras: 2–15 dGH
- Temperament
- Betta: Territorial/Aggressive
- Albino Corydoras: Peaceful
- Swim zone
- Betta: Top
- Albino Corydoras: Bottom
Shared by both
Temperature: 72–81°F (22–27°C)
pH: 6–8
Hardness: 2–15 dGH
Largest species minimum
19 US gallons (72 L), from Albino Corydoras. This is a starting point, not a stocking plan.
What to watch for
- Keep a proper group, because corydoras live in shoals and a lone one will be stressed.
- Feed sinking food for them. Leftovers from a betta are not enough.
- Check the larger tank minimum on each species page before you buy. Corydoras need more room than a betta alone.
- Remove them if the betta keeps chasing or nipping at them.
Tank setup
Gear for the largest setup on this page
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
Tank size for the largest species (Bronze Corydoras)
At least 19 US gallons (72 L)
None of the tanks we recommend is big enough for this species yet. See Best 20-Gallon Fish Tank: 20 Long or 29? for what to look for.
Filter
Hang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
Seachem Tidal 55 Power Filter US
Marineland Penguin PRO 175 Power Filter US
Eheim LiBERTY 130 Hang-on Filter Spain
Seachem Tidal 35 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Heater
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 100 W at 20 gallons, about 150 W at 29
Enough power to hold a stable temperature in most homes. Size up for a cold room.
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 100 W US
Aqueon Submersible Glass Heater 100 W US
Eheim Thermocontrol e 100 Heater Spain
Tetra HT 100 Electronic Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water Conditioner
Dechlorinator 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 Kit
Liquid 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.
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
Frequently asked questions
Do corydoras need to be in a group with a betta?
Yes. They shoal, so keeping a few alongside a betta is unkind and more stressful for them. Our species pages show the group size from our sources.
Will a betta eat corydoras?
Not usually. We found no source warning of bettas eating adult corydoras, though very small fish are always more at risk. Add adults, and watch the first few days closely.