TankmateChecker

Can bettas live with paradise fish?

Verdict

No

No. Bettas and paradise fish should not share a tank. Paradise fish nip fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.

Betta

Betta76–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5

Paradise fish

Paradise fish61–79°F · pH 6–8

What to watch

Deal breakerParadise fish nip fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
Deal breakerBettas and paradise fish are both labyrinth fish and tend to fight over the surface.
Deal breakerParadise fish and bettas are both labyrinth fish and tend to fight over the surface.

What works

Both are fine at 76–79°F.
pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.

Water side by side

The green band is the temperature range both can live in.

The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

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

	Betta	Paradise fish
Temperature	76–82 °F	61–79 °F
pH	6.5–7.5	6–8
Adult size	2.5 in	3.5 in
Minimum tank	5 gal	20 gal
Temperament	Semi-aggressive	Semi-aggressive
Swims at	Top	Top
Group	One per tank	One per tank
Diet	Carnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for bettas

All betta tank mates

Better tank mates for paradise fish

All paradise fish tank mates

Questions

Can bettas live with paradise fish?

No. Bettas and paradise fish should not share a tank. Paradise fish nip fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.

What temperature suits both bettas and paradise fish?

76–79 °F. Bettas need 76–82 °F, paradise fish need 61–79 °F.

What size tank do bettas and paradise fish need together?

At least 20 gal, set by the paradise fish. Add space for each extra fish.