Betta fish can be kept together with other fish species, but this requires meeting strict conditions. Otherwise, it is not advisable to attempt it. The following are the key points:
I. Feasibility Conditions for Mixed Breeding
Requirements for the Water Environment
- The capacity of the fish tank should be at least 30 liters (a length of 40-60 centimeters is recommended) to ensure sufficient space for activities.
- Shelters such as aquatic plants, sunken wood, and ceramsite should be arranged to reduce the probability of conflicts.
Fish Species Suitable for Mixed Breeding
- Small Fish with Fast Swimming Speed: Such as neon tetras, rummy nose tetras (tetra fish species in the characin family), and zebra danios.
- Fish Active at the Bottom of the Tank: For example, corydoras catfish and plecostomus catfish, as their activity areas do not overlap with those of betta fish.
- Gentle and Moderately Sized Fish: Like guppies and molly fish.
Mixed Breeding Strategies
- Keep one male betta fish alone and match it with multiple other fish to distract its attention.
- Give priority to keeping female betta fish for mixed breeding, as they are less aggressive than male bettas.
II. High Risks and Precautions
Situations Where Mixed Breeding Is Not Recommended
- Small fish tanks (such as glass bottles or round tanks) cannot meet the space requirements.
- Keeping betta fish of the same species together (especially male bettas) is likely to trigger fierce fights.
Potential Risks
- Even if the conditions are met, close observation is still necessary: Some betta fish may still attack other fish, and immediate isolation is required in such cases.
- Long-term stress may lead to a decrease in the immunity of non-aggressive fish species.
III. Summary of Authoritative Suggestions
- It is recommended that beginners keep betta fish alone as a priority. If they attempt mixed breeding, they need to strictly follow the requirements for the water body, fish species, and density, and be prepared for emergency isolation.