Here is a detailed guide on betta fish mixed farming, compiled from multiple reliable sources:
I. Top-Layer Fast-Swimming Types (Optimal Mixed Farming Choices)
Molly Fish
With rainbow-colored scales and swimming speed as fast as a ballet dancer, it can effectively distract bettas.
In a six-month test, there were zero conflicts, and it has strong disease resistance.
Moonlight Fish
It schools in the middle layer, with a natural glowing effect, forming a natural stratification with bettas.
There are cases showing that the survival rate of its fry reaches 70%.
Zebra Fish
With black and white striped body color, it has excellent escape ability and needs to be mixed in groups.
It has a gentle temperament, forming a visual complement to bettas.
II. Middle-Layer Flexible Types (Need Observation and Adjustment)
Neon Tetra
Small in size and beautiful in schooling, but occasionally chases and bites bettas.
9 can be mixed in a 15cm small tank, requiring dense aquatic plants for cover.
Cardinal Tetra
Similar to neon tetras but with more gorgeous colors, and has strong adaptability.
When schooling, it is like a flowing light, reducing conflicts.
Short-Tailed Guppy
Must choose varieties with short tails and fast movement.
Bettas paired with guppies are more likely to live in harmony.
III. Bottom-Dwelling Cleaning Types (High Safety Factor)
Plecostomus
Its body is covered with hard spines to prevent biting, and it specializes in eating residual bait to improve water quality.
Needs to be paired with driftwood to provide hiding spaces.
Algae Eater
Highly efficient in cleaning algae, reducing the cleaning frequency by 60%.
It has no overlap with the activity area of bettas.
Golden Loach
It searches for insect eggs in the sand bottom, and its glowing body color increases ornamental value.
Tests show it can enhance water quality stability.
IV. Special Successful Cases
Blacktail Barracuda School: 7 paired with 1 betta, speed suppression forms a balance.
Angelfish: Size suppression makes bettas only curious and not aggressive.
Koi: A mixed farming miracle of 4 bettas + 3 koi.
V. Key Precautions
Space Requirements
Minimum 30-liter tank, add 5 liters of space for each additional fish.
A 40-liter tank can mix 5 types of fish, requiring dense aquatic plant landscaping.
Behavior Management
Observe for 5 minutes every hour in the first 7 days, focusing on monitoring aggressive behavior after water changes.
Feed bettas first, then other fish when feeding.
Environmental Configuration
Keep the water temperature at 24–27°C, avoid mixing cold-water fish.
Do not use round tanks, recommend square tanks + bottom sand + aquatic plants.
(Note: All mixed farming combinations need to ensure that bettas are not in the breeding period, as aggression will significantly increase during the estrus period.)