Can bettas live with jack dempseys?
Verdict
No
No. Bettas and jack dempseys should not share a tank. An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches bettas do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches bettas do.
- Deal breakerJack dempseys are aggressive, and slow, long-finned bettas cannot escape them.
What works
- Both are fine at 76–82°F.
- pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: bettas the top, jack dempseys the mid.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Betta | Jack Dempsey | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 76–82 °F | 72–86 °F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 2.5 in | 10.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 5 gal | 55 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Aggressive |
| Swims at | Top | Middle |
| Group | One per tank | Alone or in pairs |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for bettas
Better tank mates for jack dempseys
Questions
Can bettas live with jack dempseys?
No. Bettas and jack dempseys should not share a tank. An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches bettas do.
What temperature suits both bettas and jack dempseys?
76–82 °F. Bettas need 76–82 °F, jack dempseys need 72–86 °F.
What size tank do bettas and jack dempseys need together?
At least 55 gal, set by the jack dempsey. Add space for each extra fish.