minimum for betta

[Lt.]

What is the minimum tank size for a betta fish, bare minimum with them happy&healthy.

 

[blert]

You will get many different opinions on this.

IMO, no fish should be kept in less than a ten gallon tank.

 

[bud29]

I think if you have it in a 5 gallon (filtered, of course) and do regular water changes it will be happy. But in a 5 I wouldn't put anything else with it. That would be bare minimum.

 

[jetajockey]

I'm ok with a 2-2.5g for bettas and some other nano fish/shrimp species. It's easier with larger water volumes but if you pick the right fish they aren't going to get stunted or be hindered by the tank size.

Some of the coolest tank setups and fish species are in nano <10g tank setups.

 

[Calypso77]

Mine is in a 2 gal heated tank and happy, healthy and growing.

 

[shellieca]

As blert said there are varying opinions on this. I have had them in 1g containers but now have nothing less than a 10g filter & heated tank & would not go any less. However, when I advise I say no less than a 5g. They need to have room to really stretch their fins so to speak. When mine got moved to the bigger tanks they really "blossomed", became more active & they're colors really became vibrant.

 

[absolutangel04]

Generally speaking, about 2.5-5g is the answer you will get from most people on this site. Some will say bigger, some smaller, but 2.5-5g is pretty common. Personally, I have kept a betta in a 2.5, and in a 10g. I liked them more in the 10g because they had more space to swim around and look pretty. Honestly, it is up to you and what you are comfortable with. If the betta is the only fish in there, smaller tanks are going to need more water changes because nitrates will build up faster.
IME, I will add that I also think 10g is the minimum for a betta and fish tankmates. A 5g tank does actually take up much more space than a 2.5g tank, and it is often easier to find filters and gear for the bigger tanks IME.

 

[Athaocity]

I had a male betta in a 29 community before. personally, that much amount of room for one betta is just right for one to feel at home. thats a whole lot of room for one betta but he enjoyed it very much. of course the other tank mates were neon tetras. I think 2.5 can get away with it for bettas. 5 gallons is just right and 10, they will love it.

 

[Bbarb27]

I agree you will get varying answers. I have one betta in a 10g, and another in a 6.6 gallon bookshelf aquarium (24" long, 8" wide) Both are quite happy and healthy and seem to enjoy having room to stretch and swim.

 

[Pipedreamer86]

Are there really fish you can keep safely with a betta in a 10g??

 

[christine2012]

Are there really fish you can keep safely with a betta in a 10g??

Yep it all depends on the bettas temperament. My crowntail is in a ten with a few endlers and an oto. They do great together

 

[tamtam]

3 gallons in min IMO and 5 is a great fit. For the price difference between the 2 I think spending money on the 3 instead of the 5 doesn't make sense though. lol

Tank mates really come down to the betta. Every betta is different and some will be ok with tank mates, some won't. There are of course things to consider and do to make the odds higher. You want to avoid fish that may nip the betta or fish he may attack. If he's in a smaller space I would avoid fast moving and overly active fish that may stress him out. Bottom dwellers are usually good option but most people aren't willing to give a single betta a big enough tank that will account for the bottom dwellers size or need for proper shoals. Putting 1 little pygmy cory in a 10 gallon may seem like a good idea, they are small right? but when you factor in they need a shoal of 5 or so then it doesn't work anymore.

 

[librarygirl]

Just my two cents.....I'd say 5 gal minimum for a betta alone. I had mine in a 5 gal for six months and he grew in that time; the tank actually started to look small for him. I have him alone in a 10 gal now and he uses the whole tank. Smaller tanks are hard to filter and heat as well so a 5 gal at least would make that easier. If you're going to attempt fish with the betta, I'd say at least 10 gals.

 

[_skyla_]

I have my betta with 2 golden mystery snails in a 5g fluval chi and I wouldn't go any smaller IMO anyway

 

[shellieca]

Are there really fish you can keep safely with a betta in a 10g??

Yes, when I 1st set up my 10g I wanted bottom feeders, went to an LPS & was misled into purchasing 2 CAE's. They lived peacefully with the female Bettas for a few months until I got the 46g set up now 3 female Bettas & 2 CAE's live together with no problems thus far. There are many people who have male or female Bettas in a 10g with tankmates.

 

[_skyla_]

I've kept corys in with them before no problems a school of pandas or Pygmy corys would be a possibility

 

[jlbfish]

I have a 5 gallon tank and my guy seems happy he makes bubble nests and dances around. I would like for him to have a 10 gallon and I have one ready to go. Last time we tried he didn't like it so much.

I would say 10 if it is the first tank you are putting them in.

 

[Samzter]

For a single I would be happy for them to live in a 3G.

 

[Pipedreamer86]

Well I just moved my gfs betta from the ridiculous bowl he was in to a
10g with two mystery snails. Is really like to add some shrimp in there. Any advice? Also can you feed bettas flake food or other foods than the "betta pellets" sold for them? This may seem silly but I've never been into bettas don't know much about them this was her fish....

 

[aaronjohn20]

Well I just moved my gfs betta from the ridiculous bowl he was in to a
10g with two mystery snails. Is really like to add some shrimp in there. Any advice? Also can you feed bettas flake food or other foods than the "betta pellets" sold for them? This may seem silly but I've never been into bettas don't know much about them this was her fish....

Yes you can do some shrimp, but your bettas tempermeant will determine if it'll work or not. I would suggest some cheap ghost shrimp. And yes they will eat flake food. Not totally sure if its good/healthy for them. I'm sure others will chime in