If the necessary settings and circumstances are provided, a 10-gallon tank can accommodate more than one Betta. The needs vary depending on the sex of your fish, the environment of your aquarium, and the number of other fish in the same tank.
Continue reading to learn how many betta fish in a 10 gallon tank, and also the requirements for other species required to create a peaceful environment.
Are Bettas Able To Live In A 10-gallon Aquarium?
Contrary to common opinion, bettas actually require a lot of space. Betta fish are commonly purchased as decorations to be kept in tiny glass containers or vases based on this notion. Bettas, on the other hand, require significantly more room than a small vase or container could supply.
Water quality deteriorates faster in smaller areas, making fishing hazardous. The smaller the fish habitat, the greater the need for protection.
The Betta is an energetic fish that enjoys swimming. Consequently, it is recommended that you use small tanks of 5 to 10 gallons. A Betta aquarium of this size can allow the fish to swim freely.
Having more water means less toxicity builds up in the water, so your fish will be able to live in a healthier area.
How Many Betta Fish In A 10 Gallon Tank?
A 10-gallon tank may safely hold more than one Betta if the required limitations and safeguards are in place. In a 10-gallon tank, you can keep 4-5 female bettas as a general rule.
If you use dividers to keep them apart, you can keep up to three male bettas in one tank. And please note that male and female betta fish should never be kept together unless the breeder is using the bettas for reproduction.
How many female betta fish can you have in a 10-gallon tank?
Betta Sororities are a group of female Betta fish that share the same tank.
Betta fish are less aggressive than males, although they’re not totally calm. A female may become territorial if she believes that she is the dominant female in the tank.
It is recommended to maintain a 10-gallon minimum. We will not operate anything less than 10 gallons due to space and bioload restrictions.
If you have a 10-gallon tank, keep 4-5 female bettas, as the number of fish matters a lot when it comes to keeping female bettas together.
Which other species of fish can live in a tank with a betta in a 10-gallon tank?
+ Ember Tetras
This collection of red-orange tetras will brighten up any aquarium with a capacity of over 10 gallons. Purchase at least five or six of them so your Betta will have a more challenging time figuring out which fish is which.
Tetras like to swim in the middle of the tank, and they consume the same foods as your Bettas, so feeding everyone in the tank is easy. Combining them with a bright white or blue betta fish creates an amazing display for everyone to enjoy.
+ Harlequin Rasboras
An aquarium containing this 2-inch fish will show off its bright orange body and black triangle patch. The rasboras will gladly socialize with each other if you place at least six in your aquarium, just like the ember tetras do.
Since they have a peaceful temperament, your Betta will have no problems with them monopolizing the food during mealtimes. While your betta fish probably won’t be able to catch them, he will enjoy the healthy activity of chasing them.
+ Kuhli Loaches
Approximately 3.5 inches long, these strange fish are excellent scavengers who eat your Betta’s leftover food.
Because of their nature as nocturnal creatures, you can rest assured that they’re a safe option since they tend to hide during the day and come out at night when your Betta is asleep to play.
What Kind Of Equipment Will You Need For A 10 Gallon Fish Tank?
After you’ve determined how many betta fish are in a 10-gallon tank, you should find out what else you’ll need for it. If you do not have all the equipment, your beta has very little chance of surviving. Basically, your tank is incomplete without these elements, and without some of them, it will not be able to function properly.
Heater & Thermometer
The heater is going to be the most important thing you need. It will maintain 78°F consistently throughout the tank. In most aquarium kits, heaters are not included because some types of fish do not require them.
Heating them is usually very straightforward. When the water temperature drops below a set temperature, you can just turn the dial to the temperature you want the water to be, and the heater will kick on until the water temperature reaches the desired temperature a second time. For your own safety, it is advisable to have a thermometer on the side of the tank as well.
You will need a heater that has a power range of 25-70 watts to heat a 10-gallon tank.
Filter
Filters are probably the most important equipment in a system. You will need a filter for your fish tank in order to keep them healthy because filters are designed for cleaning the water. Unless you have a filter, your fish will quickly become poisoned by its own bioload.
Lights
You should also ensure that your fish have adequate lighting. While lights aren’t as necessary as a betta filter and heater, they are going to improve its health immensely nevertheless. Lights tell Bettas when to eat and rest, and without lights, the betta would have a messed up circadian rhythm. Also, a light source is also vital in helping plants in the aquarium grow.
Air bubbler
This is another piece of equipment that’s not completely necessary but definitely helpful. The air bubbler enriches the water with oxygen. The result is that your betta can breathe much easier. Nevertheless, it is important to note that air bubblers are not really necessary for your tank, and your Betta fish will be fine without the use of one as well.
Water conditioner
It isn’t necessary to keep a water conditioner in your tank all the time. You only need it when you are adding new water to your aquarium. With a water conditioner, you can remove all the chemicals that are present in tap water, which are good for you, but not so great for your Betta.
Video: 10 Gallon Betta Fish Community Tank Setup
FAQs
Are Bettas able to live in a 10-gallon aquarium?
Certainly! Bettas have developed the ability to flourish in tanks bigger than 6 gallons. If you want the betta to flourish, you should put it in a 10-gallon aquarium with plants, rocks, and hiding places.
Can I keep two Betta fish in a 10-gallon tank?
Yes, but they require their own small dwellings. If you choose to buy live food, make sure it is suitable for the betta in question. Some species thrive on specialized live foods, such as bloodworms, wax worms, or brine shrimp. Watching the fish is fun, but it is important to keep in mind that the more your betta has, the higher the probability of one of them eventually outgrowing the others.
Do bettas do well in a 10-gallon tank?
I wouldn’t recommend keeping more than four or five fish in a 10-gallon aquarium, but if you wish to, feel free to do so. A local pet store can provide you with a great starter kit for a reasonable cost. These kits have everything you need to start. If you gain a bit of experience and understand how bettas live, you will be able to keep several more.
With a female Betta in a 10-gallon tank, how many males can I keep?
You can generally keep four to five female bettas per 10-gallon tank. If you use dividers to separate your male bettas, you can keep up to three in each tank. It is not recommended to keep male and female Bettas together unless a professional breeder is breeding them.
Annette M. Chaney is an experienced marine biologist with over 20 years of experience as an aquarist and fishkeeper. She started her first aquarium at a young age, filling it with frogs and goldfish obtained from the ten-cent pet store.
Annette grew up caring for and breeding African Cichlids, which led to a hobby in high school that doubled as a profitable means. Attending Reed College gave her time to solidify herself as an accomplished aquarium caretaker with an eye for sales. After that, from 2009 – 2013, she studied at Roger Williams University – one of the most prestigious universities for Aquaculture and Aquarium in USA. She is the founder of AquariumCircle since 2010.