Bettas in community tank?

[ichthyogeek]

Bettas not only can attack other fish, they can be the victim due to their long fins. There's no reason to try it, imo.
Also, the 6 in a group is just a minimum number. More is obviously better.

Not to be offensive here, but why not add a betta? They're incredibly hardy if you know how to take care of them, they display beautifully once acclimated, and they make wonderful showpiece fish. People keep gouramis, angelfish, and other species specifically bred for long fins in community tanks, and those fish are just fine sometimes.

Ehh, 6 might be a good minimum for others, but I advocate for 8.

 

[Anders247]

Why not? Why not? Because they are aggressive, and territorial. It's like having mbunas in a community tank IMO.

 

[Hoplo]

As long as the fish they are with are not fin bitters, or have long colourful fins the beta should be fine, I keep my beta with Neons, and corries.

As for guppies though, that is just asking for trouble, and I would advise never doing that.

 

[Anders247]

Bettas have been known to kill cories, and they aren't fin nippers.

Imo, the best tankmate for a betta would be a fish that stays under the gravel all day and is active at night.

 

[ichthyogeek]

Anders, you must have some pretty whacko bettas. My sister's betta coexists with a platy fry. In a 2.5 gallon (WELL FILTERED) tank. No killing yet, or for the foreseeable future. Also, where are the reports of bettas killing cories? I have yet to find one...