Guppies and Bettas are very popular fish today. But can guppies live with bettas? Yes, bettas and guppies may coexist. Both of them require the same pH and temperature in their habitat.
However, their nutritional requirements differ from one another. The differences in diets make it simple to provide them their appropriate food.
To keep the betta from harming the guppies, you’ll need to keep an eye on your tank regularly.
Guppies are calm fish that often live in groups. Bettas, on the other hand, are aggressive. Nonetheless, behavioral compatibility is simply among the factors that determine whether these species can coexist.
GA Pet Sitters will give you a detailed answer to the question of can guppies live with bettas. We also include some tips to create the best habitat for your pets.
Let’s read on to discover!
Guppy And Betta Requirements
These two kinds of fish can’t coexist unless the environmental requirements are appropriate. About bettas and guppies, this isn’t an issue since their environmental requirements are identical.
- Temperature: Water temperatures from 75°F to 82°F are optimal for guppies. Bettas like a temperature of around 78°F. Although guppies prefer cooler conditions, they can adjust to the somewhat higher temperatures necessary for the betta fish.
- pH level: Their pH requirements are also quite the same. Guppies require a pH of 7 to 7.2, whereas bettas demand a pH of 7. You may easily find a midway point that fits both fish because these values can meet.
- Water flow: Betta fish need soft water, which guppies don’t like. Bettas, on the other hand, may adjust to harsh water if the owners gradually introduce them to this condition.
- Surroundings: Bettas and guppies are both clean fish. They are vulnerable to amounts of ammonia in the water. Clean aquariums are ideal for them. Unless you have other fish which make the aquarium really dirty, you won’t need to alter the water too often.
Setting a shared habitat for these fish can be at ease. However, there are some challenges you have to face.
Let us now turn our attention to the most difficult element of the situation: the temperaments of both creatures.
Behavioral Compatibility Of Bettas And Guppies
Guppies can communicate with each other and the other kinds of fish in the same aquarium. They seldom ever fight or engage in battle. Bettas, on the other hand, have totally different behaviors.
Bettas are violent and aggressive. They don’t get along well with other fish and may attack bettas. As a result, you must be cautious while selecting tank mates if you are raising betta fish.
If you raise guppies and bettas in the same tank, male guppies are more prone to cause problems. Guppy males, just like bettas, have vibrant hues. It’s possible that the betta fish will mistake the guppy for other bettas.
In this case, the betta fish will begin to prove its dominance in the tank by fighting the male guppy.
Guppies are quiet fish, therefore they won’t fight the betta back. Repeated assault from the betta, on the other hand, can put the guppy under a great deal of stress and finally kill it.
Female guppies appear to be less colorful and bland than male ones. As a result, the betta won’t be afraid. Although bettas are normally cautious of other tankmates, they tend to ignore those that do not pose a risk to them.
However, keep in mind that bettas are predators.
They can assault and gnaw on the fins of guppy females even while the guppies are surrounding them. Guppies with shortened fins suffer from health concerns.
To decrease the probability of attack, support various guppies in your tank with only one betta. It can lower the chances of the betta becoming obsessed with the betta.
When the guppy fish is little, the potential risk skyrockets. The guppy fry may certainly be in danger because bettas may attack them.
If you want to protect the fry, don’t put them in the betta’s tank until they’re large enough to endure.
Luckily, not all the betta fish are violent. You can pick the betta types that are less combative, and the guppies can be happier. Delta and Halfmoon bettas are less aggressive than other betta varieties. They don’t scare the guppies.
Betta fish are more gentle in females. If you want to keep your tank in balance, get the female betta.
Do Guppies Eat Bettas?
Bettas’ delicate and elegant fins and tails might attract fin-nippers such as goldfish and tetras. Bettas, who don’t enjoy being attacked, will erupt in rage and express their fury. Both of them might get hurt in such encounters.
As a result, having bettas and fin-nippers in the same tank is never a good idea. Guppies, on the other hand, are not the fin-nippers.
Guppies don’t fight against fish. They are the omnivores, though. They eat food that fits in their mouths. The food sometimes may be their own babies. As a result, tiny fish should stay away from guppies.
Mature bettas are secure around guppies since they are too huge to eat. However, if you put the betta fry in the tank, guppies will eat it.
You need to wait until the fry becomes bigger. Guppies can’t consume large things.
How To Set Up The Tank For Bettas And Guppies?
When raising a betta and guppies in the same tank, consider the following tips in mind to ensure the safety of your fish.
Choose A Large Tank
For every fish, the tank size is crucial. It becomes more important, though, when the diverse fish in the tank are not entirely compatible. Bettas have a greater sense of commitment. Invasion of their private space is something they hate.
Guppies can’t intrude into their tankmate’s space if the tank is larger. The larger size will decrease the probability of confrontations.
Provide Numerous Hiding Places
Guppies need several hiding places. It would be best if you put more plants in the tank. When the betta becomes aggressive, the guppy may seek refuge in the tank’s planted parts. As a result, the appearance of plants in the tank will be valuable for both species.
Additionally, your fish may take some bites from the plants. As a result, select plants that aren’t poisonous to your pets.
Extra Caring Tips For Guppies And Bettas
Aside from the considerations above, there are some extra tips to provide the best habitat for your pets. Let’s have a look.
Feed Your Fish In The Right Order
Guppies and bettas have distinct nutritional requirements. Betta fish are carnivores that need high-protein diets. Guppies can eat betta food because these fish are omnivores. It can’t, however, include all of their dietary requirements.
You need to fish the guppy fish first to keep them from stealing betta food. The betta won’t care about the guppy meal and won’t cause any problems.
Be Careful Of Diseases
Ich is a virus that may kill both guppies and bettas. Once you notice some white dots on your fish, they are suffering from the illness. The most common source of this disease is strain. Fortunately, there are several ich medications available.
Get A Backup Tank
The backup tank could be smaller than the main one. Its benefit is that the owner can move the backup option if there is something wrong with them. This approach is useful when you raise guppies and bettas in the same tank for the first time.
Tank Dividers
If using the backup tank is costly, you can try these tools. If you are raising fish with a huge tank, this method can work better. That’s why experts often advise on using the tank at least 20 gallons.
Although your big worry may be how the betta will behave towards the guppies, keep in mind that your guppies are capable of snatching their meals and biting on the fins.
If such a thing happens, you’ll need to chase down and separate the problematic guppy.
Note that some species will not be compatible with your tank due to the unique tank requirements needed for both bettas and guppies to be healthy.
While bettas are less sociable and versatile than guppies, they may still live harmoniously with a number of different fish.
How Many Guppies Can You Keep With Your Betta?
Limit a gallon of water for one fish. If you have guppies and a betta, though, you should give them a little additional space.
You could keep three guppies with a male betta in a 10-gallon container. You may add about three extra guppies for every extra five gallons.
Conclusion
Both bettas and guppies can bring a new look to your house. Having them together is possible if you know the caring tips. Check your tank regularly to prevent problems from arising.
Hopefully, your pets can live in harmony. If you need any further information, please feel free to ask.
Thank you for reading!
