No, bettas and goldfish should not live together. They have different needs and their temperaments are not compatible.
I’ve seen fishkeepers try to put these two fish together, but it’s never worked out. I’ve kept both fish separately for years, and it’s clear they are not suited for each other.
Besides having different needs, each fish has attributes that can lower each other’s quality of life and lifespan.
In this article, you will learn:
Betta and Goldfish Basics
Betta and goldfish are both brightly colored and beautiful, but they also have their differences. Let’s look at a few basics about each fish.
Betta
Betta fish are also known as Siamese Fighting Fish, which tells you about their temperament. Male bettas tend to be more aggressive than the Females and shouldn’t be housed in a same tank together.
Female bettas may reach up to 2.6 inches, while the maximum length for males tends to be a shorter 2.25 inches. Bettas commonly live for 3-5 years.
Goldfish
Goldfish are probably the most popular fish with fish keepers. They are peaceful, social, and prefer living in groups.
Some aquarium-raised goldfish only reach 1-2 inches. However, if it’s kept in a suitable environment, a goldfish may reach 6-10 inches long. The average goldfish lifespan is 10-15 years.
Is It Worth It To Put Betta and Goldfish Together?
Putting betta fish and goldfish together in the same tank is not worth it as they require different aquarium conditions.
Creating a healthy environment for both fish would be near impossible, and keeping both fish in the same tank would create health risks for one or the other.
You can put them in the same tank for a short period if you have no other option. However, it’s vital that you monitor them regularly to ensure the betta aren’t bullying the goldfish. If you notice any aggressive behaviors, you should separate them at once to avoid injuries.
Why Can’t You Put Betta and Goldfish Together?
Typically, betta fish require a smaller tank than other fish like goldfish.
However, if you want to put a goldfish in with a betta, you will need to drastically increase the size of your tank for your fishes’ safety. That means you’ll have to spend more money on getting a larger tank, so it may be a better idea to just keep them separate completely.
Below is a list of 6 reasons that it’s best not to put betta and goldfish in the same tank.
1. Different Habits and Temperaments
A betta fish’s temperament is incredibly different from that of a goldfish. Betta fish are typically fighters and will attack other fish that enter their territory, especially if they’re brightly colored like goldfish.
Male bettas will fight each other to death, so keeping only one male betta fish in your tank is recommended. On the other hand, female bettas are less aggressive, and you can keep up to five females together if you have a large enough tank and add them all at once.
It would be best to have a 5-gallon tank or larger for a single betta fish. However, a 10-gallon tank is recommended for a single goldfish as they need a lot of room to swim and hide.
Betta fish are happier in a larger tank with lots of plants. They like to hide and rest among the leaves. In contrast, goldfish prefer open spaces for swimming and will often be found in the middle and upper levels of the aquarium.
Goldfish are very peaceful and tend to get along with most species. However, an important thing to remember about goldfish is that they are omnivores, so you want to avoid adding smaller fish they could eat.
2. Different Diet
Betta fish are carnivores, so they enjoy protein from fly larvae, brine shrimp, and scraps of small fish. On the other hand, goldfish are omnivores and enjoy both plants and meat.
Feeding your betta goldfish food or vice versa can cause health problems. If both fish live in the same tank, it would be impossible to feed them separately.
Although goldfish are a very peaceful fish, they are very greedy regarding food, and they will eat until they become bloated. Therefore, you should only feed goldfish what they can eat in two minutes and remove any food left in the tank.
Betta is much the same when it comes to feeding, and they will eat as much as they can as quickly as possible. Fighting over food can become a problem if you have betta and goldfish in the same tank.
Feedings should be done twice a day for both betta and goldfish. It is recommended that betta fish should be fasted one day a week or every two weeks to prevent constipation.
You should monitor their bodies for any sign of bloating. When bloating is noticed, it could be a sign that you are overfeeding.
3. Different Water Temperature
The biggest reason goldfish and betta fish should not be kept together is the difference in water temperature.
Betta fish are tropical fish that are most comfortable in warmer water. The ideal temperature for betta fish is between 75 and 80 degrees, and goldfish are more comfortable when the water temperature is between 50 and 75 degrees.
When betta fish are in too cold water, their metabolism will slow down. Their movements will lessen, and they will eat less. Any activity will become difficult for them, eventually leading to significant health problems.
Goldfish in too warm water will become stressed, have less oxygen, and often come to the surface to gasp for air. Gasping for air can also be a symptom of other health problems.
4. Different Water Flow Current
Goldfish need a robust filtration system to create a faster water flow than bettas can tolerate. Bettas are small fish that are not strong swimmers, so they need a very slow current. More substantial flows can cause stress for your betta fish, and stress can cause significant health problems for your betta fish.
5. Nipping
Betta and goldfish are fin nippers, and Betta fish nip because of their aggressive nature, while goldfish will nip when provoked. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor your fish for signs of nipping because damaged fins can lead to health problems for your fish.
Fishkeepers should also remember that if your goldfish is bigger than your betta, it could eat the smaller fish.
6. Water Chemistry
When it comes to water chemistry, the pH requirements for betta and goldfish overlap so that you can keep both at a pH of 7.0-8.0. However, the main chemistry difference comes from betta fish’s inability to tolerate high ammonia levels.
Goldfish create a great deal of waste that requires frequent water changes and an excellent filter, and these water changes can be highly stressful for betta fish. Goldfish eat a great deal, so they create a lot of waste, which is why they are known as one of the dirtiest fish.
Large amounts of waste will increase ammonia in the aquarium water, which can be very harmful to your betta fish. Increased ammonia levels in the water can burn your betta fish’s gills. As a result, they will rise to the surface and gasp for air.
Aquarium tanks with goldfish need a strong filtration system, while a bubbling sponge filter is sufficient for a tank with betta fish.
You should change 20% to 30% of the water weekly, which will not completely clean all the waste, but goldfish can tolerate it; betta fish will not.
Could You Keep Them Together Temporarily?
You can keep a betta and goldfish together in the same tank for a few hours if you need to do so.
While it’s not the ideal situation, the fish will survive temporarily while you change the filter or make any changes that you have to make. Be sure to monitor them while they’re together and separate them at the first sign of aggression.
Getting a quarantine tank for temporarily placing your betta fish or goldfish is always better.
Final Thoughts
Betta fish and goldfish are incompatible, so they should not be aquarium mates. They have very different care requirements that make it impossible to create an environment that will be healthy for both fish.
Betta and goldfish may be able to live together for a very short period of time in an emergency. However, this should be hours rather than days, and we never recommend that you keep them together for the long term. Always be sure to keep a close watch for any aggression while they’re together.
Researching as much as possible about your new betta or goldfish will ensure that you can provide the healthiest home for your new pet.
Feel free to share your experiences or leave a comment.
