Gouramis & bettas · Betta
Betta (Siamese fighting fish)
Betta splendens · Rice paddies and marshes of Thailand
Photo: ErgoSum88, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
Water temperature
24–30 °C 75–86 °F
pH
6–7.5 neutral water
Adult size
6.5 cm 2.6 in
Swims
Top and mid-water mostly at the surface
Keep together
Fine alone
Current
Calm still or slow water
Food
Meaty foods
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
≈ Every value here is an estimate from typical hobby ranges. We're checking them against sources.
Where it comes from
Home water
Rice paddies and marshes of Thailand
Lives in swamp or paddy habitat.
The dot marks where it's collected. Home from iNaturalist native sightings (46). Map: Natural Earth.
Tank mates
Checked against a roomy 300 L planted tank with low flow and plenty of caves. Your own tank may change the answer: try it in Your tanks.
Good together
-
Candy stripe L015
Plecos · 10 cm · bottom -
Zebra L046
Plecos · 8 cm · bottom -
Amano shrimp
Shrimp & snails · 5 cm · bottom -
Boeseman's rainbowfish
Rainbowfish · 10 cm · mid-water -
Bolivian ram
Cichlids · 8 cm · bottom -
Bronze corydoras
Corydoras · 7 cm · bottom -
Cardinal tetra
Tetras · 4 cm · mid-water -
Celestial pearl danio
Rasboras & danios · 2.5 cm · mid-water
Keep apart
-
Nip fins
-
Aggressive and will eat the betta (siamese fighting fish)
-
Aggressive and nip fins
-
Want fast, strong current
In the hobby
In stock now
Not in stock at any store we track.
Tanks with this fish
From keepers
Fins torn within a week.
Builds a bubble nest under the floating plants.
Questions keepers ask
How big does a Betta (Siamese fighting fish) get?
About 6.5 cm (2.6 in) as an adult.
What temperature does a Betta (Siamese fighting fish) need?
24–30 °C (75–86 °F).
What pH does a Betta (Siamese fighting fish) need?
pH 6–7.5.
Does a Betta (Siamese fighting fish) need to be kept in a group?
No. It can be kept on its own.
Is the Betta (Siamese fighting fish) aggressive?
It can be. It is semi-aggressive, so choose tank mates carefully.
What does a Betta (Siamese fighting fish) eat?
Feed meaty foods: frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and quality sinking pellets.
Where does the Betta (Siamese fighting fish) come from?
Rice paddies and marshes of Thailand.
What fish can live with a Betta (Siamese fighting fish)?
Good tank mates include Candy stripe (L015), Zebra (L046), Amano shrimp, Boeseman's rainbowfish, Bolivian ram.
All the numbers
| Temperature min (°C) | 24 | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature max (°C) | 30 | Estimate |
| pH min | 6 | Estimate |
| pH max | 7.5 | Estimate |
| Adult size (cm) | 6.5 | Estimate |
| Flow | Low | Estimate |
| Habitat | swamp | Estimate |
| Smallest happy group | 1 | Estimate |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Estimate |
| Diet | Carnivore | Estimate |
| Behaviour tags | long_fins,lone_male | Estimate |
| Typical price min (CAD) | 8 | Estimate |
| Typical price max (CAD) | 40 | Estimate |
Some values are estimates from typical hobby ranges and haven't been checked against a source yet.