Betta
Betta splendens
Photo: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
A 5-gallon heated, filtered tank is the floor. Males fight males. Long fins get nipped by danios and barbs. Some keep shrimp; many lose shrimp.
A single centrepiece for a heated, filtered 5–10 gallon.
Males will fight each other and often nip/get nipped by fin-nippers.
In the tank
- The whole show in a small planted tank.
- Some individuals ignore shrimp; many do not.
- Water
- freshwater
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Swims
- Top
- Adult size
- 3 in
- Minimum tank
- 5 gal
- Group
- Can be kept singly
- Temperature
- 76–82°F
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Diet
- Name-brand betta pellets in small amounts, plus frozen brine or daphnia. Skip the feeder pellets in the cup.
- Beginner
- Yes, if the tank is cycled
How to keep them
- 5 gallons heated and filtered is the floor.
- Males fight males. Count pellets — they get fat.
Tankmates
Maybe snails. Maybe shrimp. Maybe nothing. Test with the actual fish.
Avoid
Other male bettas, tiger barbs, danios, and bowls.
Check tankmates · Betta checker · Stocking calculator
Same group
Dwarf Gourami
Trichogaster lalius
Shy top-dweller for a planted 10–20.
Uses the top third without the betta lottery.
Pearl Gourami
Trichopodus leerii
A larger, calmer gourami centrepiece.
Will pick at hydra and some leftover food at the surface.
Honey Gourami
Trichogaster chuna
Small peaceful labyrinth fish for a planted 10.
Less drama than a betta, less speed than danios.