Can bettas live with serpae tetras?

Verdict
No

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

BettaBetta76–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5 Serpae tetraSerpae tetra72–79°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 76–79°Betta 76–82°Serpae tetra 72–79°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Betta 6.5–7.5Serpae tetra 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Betta · 2.5 inSerpae tetra · 1.75 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

BettaSerpae tetra
Temperature76–82 °F72–79 °F
pH6.5–7.56–7.5
Adult size2.5 in1.75 in
Minimum tank5 gal20 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 serpae tetras

All serpae tetra tank mates

Questions

Can bettas live with serpae tetras?

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

What temperature suits both bettas and serpae tetras?

76–79 °F. Bettas need 76–82 °F, serpae tetras need 72–79 °F.

What size tank do bettas and serpae tetras need together?

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