Male betta fish are incredibly beautiful! They’re more ornate, and it’s not surprising that aquarium owners often consider putting two of them in the same tank. This then raises the question: can two male betta fish live together? The quick answer is no. The long answer requires us to dive into fishes’ “co-living psychology”.
Male betta fish are naturally aggressive, and if you put them in the same tank, they start fighting and, in most instances, to death. This is why they’re often referred to as the Siamese fighting fish. We recommend that you only maintain one male and one female betta fish per tank. In this guide, we’ll look at everything you need to know about betta fish considerations as well as having other different species in the same tank.
Here’s an interesting fact about pet fish; according to CNN Trusted Source Study shows this fish can recognize human faces Researchers found archerfish can tell a familiar human face from dozens of new faces with surprising accuracy. It’s the first time fish have shown this ability. www.cnn.com , research shows that they can recognize human faces. This is especially impressive because fish usually have a small brain.
Betta fish originated from Asia, and their natural habitat is mainly streams and small ponds. They are adapted to the drought and constant flooding that’s common in the region, and this has helped them evolve into labyrinth fish. This means that they can get oxygen from their gills and the air around them, which is also why Betta fish are relatively easy to take care of. These fish aren’t the schooling type, but they can live in groups under optimal conditions.
The main reason why ale betta fish are so aggressive is that they are very territorial. In their native regions, they have a lot of space to swim freely in the rivers, and even though 2 males may find themselves in the same territory, a fight is unlikely to occur because there’s a lot of room for them to retreat. In an aquarium, however, the space is limited, and there’s no place to hide.
Some of the other reasons why male betta fish are so aggressive include;
When two make betta fish are about to fight, they will flare out their gills and fan out their fins. This makes them look bigger and, therefore, more intimidating. If this doesn’t scare away the opponent, they will start fighting until one of them dies.
Interesting female betta fish can stay in the same tank without fighting. You should, however, be cautious when introducing a new fish to a group of 3 bettas that have been together for a while as they may end up getting territorial.
So, can you put two male betta fish together? No. It’s inhumane, especially when the tank is small and there are no compartments or plans for them to hide. They will end up becoming extremely aggressive and then fight to the death. In some instances, you can keep two male betta fish in one tank if it’s large enough and there are females to distract them.
In their native regions, betta fish have miles of canals and rivers to swim freely. This reduces their chances of interacting with other male bettas. Small tanks, however, have limited space for two males to claim their territories. So, if your tank is less than 20 gallons, don’t keep more than one male. If you’re looking for a high-quality 20-gallon tank, experts recommend the Aqueon Aquarium 20 Gallon. It can be used for both salt and clean water aquatic animals and has a high-quality reconstruction. It also has clean silicon edges that keep it stable on the surface that you palace it on.
If you have a large tank, you can keep 2 small males. Alternatively, you could get a rimless tank with two compartments where the betta fish don’t come into contact with each other.
According to the New York Times Trusted Source The 1,000-Year Secret That Made Betta Fish Beautiful Scientists found that the fish were gradually domesticated like dog breeds into the beautiful shapes and colors that turn up today in pet stores. www.nytimes.com , betta fish weren’t always a living work of art. Their long fins and intricate colors were a result of years of selective breeding. Aquatic barriers and distinct decorations act as effective barriers and could prevent your male Betta from being aggressive.
Close proximity with another male betta can cause your fish stress which is why you should separate them by getting a fish tank with dividers. According to multiple reviews, the Aqueon Betta Bowl Kit Black should be one of your top picks. It has a divider, is low maintenance, and comes with food & water samples, gravel, and an aquarium plant. You should, however, get a heater for your betta fish.
While male Betta can live in the same tank, they can surprisingly cohabit with other fish.
Yes. You can put a male betta with a female betta. We, however, advise against it and recommend that you only put them together for breeding purposes.
While you can keep male Betta with other types of fish, there are various considerations;
Can two male betta fish live together? No. male bettas are very aggressive and will fight each other until one of them dies. This is because they’re very territorial and view other males as a threat. To safely keep two males bettas in the same tank, ensure it’s large enough for them and preferably has aquatic plants. It’s best if you got a fist tank that comes with a divider.
