Betta Compatability

[livelifelow]

My sister lost her fish about a month back and has decided to get a new one, and that we should each get one of the same kind.  The tank that the new fish would be going in has a male betta in it, he seems to be able to handle other fish, the only issue was a few flare-ups at the BN pleco when the betta first went in.  What cannot go in with the betta?
 
My list so far:
male guppies
other bettas
tetras?
 
Beyond that I have no idea, so a list would be incredibly helpful going into this weekend.
 
I was also browsing the lfs and they had some mollies that looked nice.  Some were orange, some were yellow until the tail, which was a dark blue or black color.  Would those be ok with a betta? Or would platties be ok?
 
I know it varies from betta to betta, but I would love to have some general no, never fish so I don't come home with one on accident.

 

[SimpleDog]

I would avoid most tetras as they ten to nip at the bettas fins. I have found swordtails go fairly well 

 

[guppy2002]

what fish are you adding? how big is your tank? no neons, they are big nippers. lots of tetras do. i have some harlequin rasboras with my betta and they do fine. 

 

[SimpleDog]

Harlequins seem to do great with bettas assumming the tank is big enough for rasboras

 

[Wildbetta]

The biggest question and first consideration is how big is the tank?

 

[Blondielovesfish]

What size is your tank?
 
In general, most fish are okay with bettas, but it all depends on the individual fish. 
Tetras and barbs (especially tigers) can be nippy.
 
Corys (in most cases) are great to have with bettas, though most are too big for the usual tanks considered.
 
If you're thinking of adding a fish but you're not sure if they're compatible, do lots of research and ask on this forum. 
No matter the fish, always make sure you have a back up plan (spare tank or similar) in case it goes wrong.

 

[livelifelow]

Mine is a 34 long stocked with 2 red cap orandas, 1 BN pleco, 1 male betta, 1 bumblebee goby, and 1 goldfish fry (going in pond in spring).
 
Thank you for the list of fish, it should be helpful when we go to get a new one.

 

[372xp]

Avoid anything too big and fancy which might be considered a threat, smaller algae eaters are good (ottocinculus, corydoras). Some males will not tollerate any intrusions and will soon let you know if they are not happy. Whatever you put in there be prepared for the possible loss. In general fish which stick to the bottom are a better bet than mid column or surface swimmers. After all your male should be the centerpiece of your tank, and they prefer this, so you dont want anything to distract you from that.

 

[l_l_l]

Neon tetras are fine with betta as long as they are kept in proper numbers (at least 6-7)

 

[Wildbetta]

Mine is a 34 long stocked with 2 red cap orandas, 1 BN pleco, 1 male betta, 1 bumblebee goby, and 1 goldfish fry (going in pond in spring).
 
Thank you for the list of fish, it should be helpful when we go to get a new one.

 
Hopefully you are planning on moving out all the goldies or having them a separate bigger tank.  The orandas and goldfish fry need a bigger tank and cooler temps than the other fish in your stocking.  Which makes your current stocking really unsuitable.  Before you think of adding any other fish, you need to fix this issue.  
 
Adding other fish with a betta is always risky as it depends on how the betta takes to having other fish in the tank with him.  Some small tetras that are not really nippy can work if kept in the correct number (no less than 6), bottom dwellers like cories, and small non aggressive catfish like otocinclus tend to do well.  
Fish that inhabit the upper water column are not good tank mates.  Examples are gourmanis and paradise fish - both of these species would be competitors with the betta for the surface area.

 

[livelifelow]

They aren't ok at 76?  When I was looking up temperatures for them that fit into everyone's range.  If I move the betta, bumblebee, and pleco down to my 10g what temperature should I keep them at, and what temperature should I keep my orandas at?

 

[Wildbetta]

They aren't ok at 76?  When I was looking up temperatures for them that fit into everyone's range.  If I move the betta, bumblebee, and pleco down to my 10g what temperature should I keep them at, and what temperature should I keep my orandas at?

 
Bettas need temperatures of 78F at the least but do best around 80F.  Goldies do best in the high 60's.  Even though they can be ok in temps of up to 76F that is the highest temp for them which is stressful and will cause them to have shorter lifespans.  Your bumblebee and betta will be fine in the 10 gallon and that should be kept in the 78F-80F temperature range.  The pleco needs a tank of at least 20 gallons so moving it to the 10 gallon is not really a good option but I wouldn't keep them in temperatures of less than 70F.

 

[livelifelow]

I read somewhere that 72 was ideal for orandas, so I think I'll put them at that and move the betta and bumblebee to the 10g.  The fish seem more active around 72 than they do in the 60s.  Thank you for your help too, I really appreciate it.

 

[Catfishlover]

Nothing too fancy or the betta will kill it. Bettas seem to have vanity issues.