Ideal betta tankmates for community tank

[fadah]

Setting up a 20 gallon community tank and wanna add a betta. What fish can chill with it without causing drama? Heard some species might mess with the betta's vibe.

[greedia]

I've had luck with Neon Tetras and Corydoras. They're pretty chill and don't bother my betta. Just make sure the tank's got enough hiding spots.

[morrow]

Neon Tetras can work, but avoid fin-nippers like Tiger Barbs. Bettas are slow swimmers, so fast-moving fish might stress them. A 20 gallon is a good size, but keep an eye on aggression. Also, ensure the water params are stable, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and under 20 ppm nitrate.

[brooks]

Neon Tetras can work, but avoid fin-nippers like Tiger Barbs. Bettas are slow swimmers, so fast-moving fish might stress them. A 20 gallon is a good size, but keep an eye on aggression. Also, ensure the water params are stable, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and under 20 ppm nitrate.

Totally agree. I'd add that Harlequin Rasboras are another safe bet. They're peaceful and stay out of the betta's way. Just avoid anything flashy that might trigger the betta's territorial side.

[Lumina9]

What about shrimp? I've seen some folks keep Cherry Shrimp with bettas, but not sure if it's sketchy.

[tyrny]

Shrimp can be hit or miss. Some bettas ignore 'em, others turn 'em into snacks. If you're gonna try, start with cheap ones like Ghost Shrimp to test the waters.

[tiggyx]

I've got a betta with a small group of Otocinclus. They're great for algae and super peaceful. Just make sure the tank's well-established with plenty of biofilm for them to graze on.

[fadah]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Gonna start with Corydoras and see how it goes.

[greedia]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Gonna start with Corydoras and see how it goes.

Solid choice. Corys are hardy and fun to watch. Just keep the substrate smooth so they don't hurt their barbels.

[morrow]

One more thing: avoid adding too many tankmates at once. Introduce them slowly to monitor the betta's reaction. Sudden changes can stress them out.