Can bettas live with black skirt tetras?

Verdict
No

No. Bettas and black skirt tetras should not share a tank. Black skirt tetras nip fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.

BettaBetta76–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5 Black skirt tetraBlack skirt tetra70–80°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 76–80°Betta 76–82°Black skirt tetra 70–80°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Betta 6.5–7.5Black skirt tetra 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Betta · 2.5 inBlack skirt tetra · 2.5 in0"1"2"3"4"5"6"
Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

BettaBlack skirt tetra
Temperature76–82 °F70–80 °F
pH6.5–7.56–7.5
Adult size2.5 in2.5 in
Minimum tank5 gal15 gal
TemperamentSemi-aggressiveSemi-aggressive
Swims atTopMiddle
GroupOne per tankGroups of 6+
DietCarnivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for bettas

All betta tank mates

Better tank mates for black skirt tetras

All black skirt tetra tank mates

Questions

Can bettas live with black skirt tetras?

No. Bettas and black skirt tetras should not share a tank. Black skirt tetras nip fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.

What temperature suits both bettas and black skirt tetras?

76–80 °F. Bettas need 76–82 °F, black skirt tetras need 70–80 °F.

What size tank do bettas and black skirt tetras need together?

At least 15 gal, set by the black skirt tetra. Add space for each extra fish.