The short answer? Yes, a male betta can live with a female betta. However, specific times and circumstances warrant the fish coexisting – but more on that later. I try not to keep these adorable fish together long-term as they fight to the death.
I learned from experience that male and female bettas should not live together for long periods. One evening, both fish were swimming around in their tank, and the following morning my female betta was floating along the surface. I had always assumed that only male bettas fought, but after some research, I found that this is unfortunately not the case.
Read on to understand how you can keep one male and one female fish in a tank together, details on when and why you may want them in the same tank, and tips.
Male & Female Betta Demeanors
Male betta fish are quite territorial and aggressive with other fish, including other bettas. Any interactions in the same aquarium for extended periods can cause injury or death among the fish. Male bettas are docile when not in the same tank as other bettas.
Female bettas are less territorial (although only slightly) but just as calm when alone in the tank. Their aggression levels are much lower than male bettas, but they will lash out when threatened.
Short Term Together
Short-term is the way to go when placing male and female bettas together in a tank. The primary reason to have them in the same tank is procreation. Another circumstance would be during tank cleaning – when you finish cleaning the tank, put the foreign betta back in its home. They should only be together for a few hours if breeding is not the primary goal.
Regardless of the circumstances, you still need to ensure each fish has a healthy tank. Always check the following before putting males and females together:
- The water temperature is between 77 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Water should have sufficient oxygen.
- Provide healthy, preferably live food.
- Place plenty of plants in the tank so the female betta can escape if needed.
Breeding
Navigating betta mating can be tricky. You can tell when a female is ready to lay eggs because her body will appear bloated, and you will observe stripes along the sides of her torso. The male betta will flash his fins to attract his mate.
Note that healthy female bettas produce eggs throughout the year. Betta fish do not have a specific mating season.
Things to Know Before Breeding Bettas
Putting a male and female betta together for mating may seem easy enough, but there are a few considerations before moving forward.
- How old is your betta fish? The prime breeding age for bettas is 4 to 12 months. If you have older fish, the babies will likely have health issues.
- Ensure your water temperature remains stable and comfortable for bettas (77-80 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Test for ammonia and nitrates before you start the breeding process.
Breeding is rewarding, but you may want to hold off if you are a fish-keeping beginner or seem to have a particularly aggressive betta. If you meet the above requirements, you can begin the introductory phase.
How To Introduce Them for Breeding
When you are ready for breeding, I suggest following the steps below as closely as possible to keep your fish healthy and happy.
Step 1: Introductions
The first step in mating is to introduce the female to the male. Let the female betta familiarize herself with the male in a different or the same tank.
You can use a divider to separate the male and female betta fish or put them in two separate tanks near each other. This introduction should initiate the mating process. Watch for the male betta flashing his fins or the female becoming plump in her underbelly.
Step 2: Breeding Tank
After you observe fin-flashing and your female betta has stripes on her sides, you can place her in the breeding tank with the male.
Ensure the male and female pair well to increase their breeding chances. If the male is interested in the female, he will start blowing bubbles to build the bubble nest for the eggs. The bubble nest should signal you to put them in the breeding tank. While there, monitor their interactions, attractions, and aggressions toward each other.
If you observe aggression or lack of interest, they may not be a perfect pair for breeding.
Step 3: Monitor the Female
The female betta will eventually approach the bubble nest made by her male counterpart. If the female likes the nest, she will stay near it. If she disapproves, she will destroy or leave it and swim away.
Remove the female immediately if she disapproves of the bubble nest, as the male can be aggressive and harm her. If she approves of the nest, mating will likely occur within a few hours.
Step 4: Remove the Female
Males become overprotective and hostile if the female remains near the nest after laying the eggs. Remove the female immediately to avoid any fights or potential aggressive behavior.
Although it may seem repetitive, follow these steps before each breeding period. The introduction takes time but is essential for healthy offspring and ensuring your bettas remain calm while coexisting.
Long Term Together
I do not recommend putting a male and female betta together for long periods, but some fish keepers have found that it goes smoothly. While it depends on the specific demeanor of your fish, all bettas have a natural inclination to fight – so keep an eye on them!
Fighting is the primary reason you may want to avoid leaving male and female bettas together, and many fish keepers do not think the risks are worth keeping a male and female in the same tank (and I agree). If you must have them together, monitor their behavior closely for aggression or lethargy.
What You Need to Keep Male & Female Bettas in the Same Tank
Two betta fish need at least a 75-gallon tank, as a smaller tank may make the fish feel trapped or cause stress. Use rectangular tanks – and do not be afraid to add decor and plant life.
Go for a wide fish tank so the fish can swim upwards for air, and give them space to explore and create their betta territory. Avoid small and long tanks as they limit freedom and pose water contamination risks which could harm the fish.
Ensure you have enough hiding places within the tank to allow the female to hide from the male. Caves and driftwoods also will enable the betta fish to hide or potentially find breeding grounds within the tank. Balance the plant life and other decorations or items to mimic their natural habitat and make the fish comfortable.
Tank Divider
A tank divider helps you isolate your betta fish in different compartments in the same tank. It helps in the breeding process or simply keeping your betta fish together.
When using a divider, ensure you use a broad tank and give the female a significant portion since they enjoy swimming in space.
A tank divider saves space and eases your breeding and mating season since you do not have to introduce the fish before mating. That said, tank dividers are not magic. Your bettas may still feel stressed, despite being unable to hurt one another.
Having Different Sexes Together
There are a few ways male and female bettas can live in the same tank. Below are some examples of coexisting methods.
A Male and a Female Together
As mentioned above, keeping a male and female together may or may not work. Some bettas are fine together, while others will fight incessantly.
Risks
A few risks associated with cohabitating male and female bettas are:
- Stress – stressed betta fish become even more aggressive and weaken the immune system of males and females.
- Unhappy female bettas may not produce eggs.
- Death – bettas, especially males, fight until they die. Putting two bettas together, regardless of sex, can lead to brutal deaths for one or both fish.
Again, most betta keepers do not believe the risks are worth the reward.
How To Keep Them Together
The best way to keep a male and female betta together is to limit their interactions using a large tank or a tank divider.
Remember that a tank divider and large aquariums may not stop aggressive behavior entirely. Monitor your bettas!
Betta Harems
A betta harem occurs when you add a male betta to a sorority of female bettas (more details on sorority tanks later). This method can sometimes help mellow the male betta and allow for a smoother introductory period.
Betta harems do not work well for beginners. Only experienced fish keepers should attempt this approach.
Precautions
Male Betta fish need a larger space where they can mark their territory. For every male fish, you should add 20 gallons of water. Female fish need 5 to 10 extra gallons.
The introductory period is relatively similar to introducing a male to a singular female. Take it slow, and gradually move the male betta into the tank. Since females are less aggressive, they typically accept males without issue.
As male bettas are responsible for raising the fry, the numerous breeding pairs in the betta sorority can prove overwhelming. Watch your male betta for any signs of distress or excessive aggression.
Females may also become violent during mating season as they try to mate with the male betta.
Betta Sorority
A Betta Sorority comprises several female bettas living in one aquarium. Try to get your sorority fish from a single spawn, or at least ensure that they are the same size and age to enhance their peacefulness and how they get along.
What You Need
The best way to introduce a betta sorority is to place them all in the tank concurrently. Monitor the fish once you station them together to check for any bullying within the group. Always keep hiding places for these fish to promote coexistence in the sorority. Do not use small fish tanks as they encourage the fish to fight for their space.
Bettas and Other Species in the Same Tank
Some species of fish (and other water-dwellers) work well with bettas, and others do not. A few types that coexist with bettas well are:
- Mystery snails – help keep your tank clean and do not interact with bettas.
- African Dwarf Frogs – docile and fun to watch.
- Clown Plecos – Calm bottom-feeders that may live up to 10 years.
Species to avoid putting in the same tank as bettas include male goldfish, Chinese Algae Eaters, and cichlids.
Always follow the standard acclimation protocol when introducing a different species to your betta. You must have a tank over 10 gallons if you want to add fish to your betta aquarium.
Final Thoughts
Betta fish are simple, beautiful, and peaceful, yet can be very hostile when they feel their space is in danger. Your duty as the fish keeper is to present a solution for their needs to help them thrive and live comfortably.
While male and female bettas can live together, they shouldn’t for long periods. Keep their tank-sharing to a minimum unless you decide to establish a betta sorority or harem.
