Practical Guide to Betta Fish Community Tank Setup
I. Core Principles for Community Tank Setup
Space First: A tank of 60cm or larger is essential. Follow the rule: 1cm of fish length per 10 liters of water.
Environment Design: Must include hiding spots like aquatic plants, driftwood, or clay pots, with coverage exceeding 30%.
Quarantine Period: New fish must be quarantined for 3–5 days to confirm they are disease-free before being added to the community tank.
II. Recommended Tank Mates
1. Top-Dwelling Fish
Zebra Danios: Their silver-blue stripes distract bettas, and they can swim up to 50cm per second.
Neon Tetras: Schooling behavior diverts bettas’ attention; keep at least 5 together.
White Cloud Mountain Minnows: Cold-tolerant and agile swimmers, ideal for mixing with Chinese bettas.
2. Mid-Dwelling Fish
Moonfish: Round body shape makes them less likely to be attacked, creating spatial separation from bettas.
Pearl Gouramis: Choose individuals over 8cm—their larger size reduces conflicts.
Mollies: Iridescent scales shift bettas’ aggressive focus away from other fish.
3. Bottom-Dwelling Fish/Crustaceans
Corydoras Catfish: Bottom-dwelling habits avoid conflicts; keep at least 3 together.
Dwarf Suckers (Otocinclus): Algae specialists with no food competition with bettas.
Black Cherry Shrimp: Excellent escape abilities; require dense aquatic plants for protection.
III. Absolute Incompatible Combinations
Other bettas (will fight to the death)
Guppies/goldfish (long fins are easy targets for nipping)
Angelfish (strong territorial instincts)
Tiger Barbs (actively attack bettas)
IV. Step-by-Step Setup Process
Arrange hiding spots and tank decor first.
Add other tank mates and let them acclimate for 3 days.
Introduce the betta last (nighttime introduction is recommended).
Closely monitor for aggressive behavior in the first 3 days.
V. Emergency Response Plans
Fighting Observed: Immediately separate fish using a clear divider.
Injured Fish: Quarantine individually + 0.3% salt bath.
Water Deterioration: Change 1/3 of the water + increase aeration.
VI. Key Reference Data
Successful cohabitation rate: 85% (with zebra danios) | 78% (with neon tetras)
Optimal stocking density: 1 betta + 6–8 small fish
Aggression peak: Within 30 minutes after feeding
Pro Tip: Prepare a quarantine box for quick separation if cohabitation fails. Testing water quality weekly (ammonia < 0.02mg/L, nitrite < 0.2mg/L) is critical to successful community tank keeping.