Aside from genetics, the general life cycle of most Zebra Loaches is between 8 to 15 years. Because of this, fighting due to territorial disputes rarely happens. Otherwise, your Betta fish could eat them. They can eat detritus and leftover food in the tank, so theyre useful to have, and they shouldnt bother your Betta fish. However, it should not be too large to look like an open space. These guys are highly entertaining fish, but not in the same tank as a betta fish. In worst cases, the last resort is always taking medication you can find at local fish stores and talking to an experienced hobbyist. Clown Loach (clown loaches are not Botia BUT can be aggressive and can grow to a large size) Share your thoughts in the comments below. A betta stakes his claim on a certain area of water and protects and defends it as its life depends on it. Therefore, they have a short lifespan with a life full of colors and patterns. Theres not too much information to offer on this subject. Fill one bucket with fresh replacement water, and leave the other empty. JavaScript is disabled. From personal experience, this can lead to the female being harassed by the male. So, do these aggressive fish need a companion in a captive situation? document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Sign up with your email for our newsletter and be notified when we publish new blog posts. I just wanted to share my betta here who had a really severe case of fin rot. Theyre only three and a half inches long and are good companions for your Betta fish. As for tank setup, Gold Zebra Loaches need a temperature in the range of 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Below, well talk about the 50 best tank mates for Betta fish, both female, and male. The dojo loach or weather loach will spend most of its day swimming along the substrate and eating leftover food. As you will see, in almost every case, you will not want to try keeping these as tank mates with a betta. WebGolden zebra loach, Burmese loach Betta sp. However, you should remember that each species has unique care needs, and you will need to research this before making your final selection. They also dont take much space as they only grow up to three inches long. If you were to start with 10 shrimp, after about a month, you might have more shrimp than water in the betta tank! Shrimp make for an interesting choice of tank mate for a betta. The aquascape should include plenty of plants and open areas for swimming. The major difference, and why they didnt make the top list, is that Neon tetras are very brightly colored and renowned as fin nippers. They scavenge for food in the tanks substrate and there are several varieties you can choose from that will be good tank mates for your Betta fish. They also clean any detritus at the bottom of your fish tank. We recommend adding a group of five or seven in a 30-gallon tank or more. They also inhabit a few regions of Bangladesh in a relatively smaller number. Zebra loach Dwarf chain loach Betta fish Cory catfish Yoyo loach You can feed the snail eggs directly to these fish or let them hatch first. Zebra loach. As you can imagine, the more tank mates you add, the larger your aquarium will need to be. If you want to go outside of their preferred criteria of a happy home, make sure you dont add aggressive, larger, or territorial fish to your list. To curtail disease, its always better to invest in high-quality filtration so your water stays clean. Ok, maybe sadistic was too strong a word. While this is mostly true, a Zebra Loach is known to snack on fish with flowing fins. Otherwise, there probably wont be enough food in the tank for them. Theyre one of the smallest catfish for fish tanks, as they only grow to five inches, max. Make sure you dont compromise on their basic requirements though. Snail Species: Zebra Snails Nerite Snail Mystery Snails 3. They are particularly fond of live foods, such as bloodworms, glass worms, tubifex, daphnia, So theyre perfect tank mates for your Betta fish, and they wont bother them. In captivity, they thrive on a varied diet of pellets or flakes made from fish meal, as well as frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms. These are both very good things to look for. Plecos are great at keeping algae away, its their main job. And no matter how hardy people say this fish is, a Zebra Loach cant survive in unhealthy water parameters for a long time. The name; balloon Molly truly justifies the appearance of this fish as their bellies are round and swollen with arched backs and extended dorsal fins. Additionally, it is Their dorsal fin grows the shape of a half fan or you can say it looks semi-circular, with the tail fin looking like a fork. They never harass their tank mates or show territorial aggression. Rasboras are typically a more gentle fish in terms of peaceful living with a betta, and they dont tend to be fin nippers. The Clown Loach is an omnivorous, scaleless loach, with vibrant body coloring. You should also always avoid freshwater species that threaten their harmony. Believe it or not, Otos are often caught straight from the wild. As they are always commercially bred, the average price ranges from 20$ to 50$ per pair. Theyre very small, no more than one inch, and they have stripes along their body. Snowball plecos are beautiful fish to keep around your Betta fish. You can either get the couple a separate breeding tank or breed them in a tank devoid of other fish species. Make sure you add a decent amount of it to the breeding tank. For this method, you need a gravel siphon, sponges, and two buckets. Theyre compatible with male Bettas because they dont have colorful tails. The Zebra Loach is an excellent freshwater fish that is only really suitable for aquarists with experience as they have no scales and require pristine water conditions. Well, betta fish are also sometimes called Siamese fighting fish, and thats for a good reason! These quick and active little fish dont grow very large, maxing out at about 5 inches in length. Before planning out what goes into their tank as their core diet or variation, make sure you know that striped Loaches dont chase food as actively as their tank mates. Algae wafers are a great way to directly feed your bottom feeding fish. You can create separate areas and give your fish hiding and exploration spots, as Bettas particularly like to explore their fish tank. You need to read on the subject beforehand, as the girls can sometimes be just as feisty as the boys. They stay strong when it comes to putting up with water level shifting. These fish are schooling fish and will be lost and stressed without their own companions to swim with. If you are interested in starting a sorority of female betta fish, its not as easy as just grouping a bunch together. They are very easy keepers and quite peaceful as well. The Zebra Loaches fins including caudal fins, pectoral fins, and dorsal fins also comprise some of the stripes. Like the fish species mentioned above, swordtails prefer water with high pH levels and on the alkaline side. Natural sand is excellent for bottom feeder fish to forage around in. Clown Plecostomus are a dwarf species of Pleco fish. And while there are plenty of features youll see in them, their beautiful body coloration and the patterns which emerge from their tiny bodies stay always on top. I also use this site as an excuse to spend lots of money on testing and reviewing different aquarium products! Another good tank mate for your Betta fish is a Kuhli loach, aka Leopard or Cinnamon loach. The frogs usually hide under rocks during the daytime, and they like to float at the top of the fish tank during nighttime. This is primarily linked to their need for solid oxygenation to ward off different ailments. It is possible to keep a Betta with a community of That means that if you have species-specific tanks or a community tank, they will show the same friendly behavior they display in the wild. So if you ever wondered what fish can live with Bettas, youre in the right place. Common plecos can reach up to 2 feet long and are not recommended for obvious reasons. In my opinion, one gallon or two gallons or three gallons - is far too little space. On the other hand, nerite snails usually only reach about an inch in size. The empty bucket will hold the dirt, debris, and worms you siphon from the fish tank. Keep them in a group of 10 or more if you want to add them to a large Betta tank. You can either add these scavenger fish to your Betta tank as one or in a group of three. Beginning from the front side of their head to the base of their caudal fin, Zebra Loaches feature a series of mazy stripes sloping backward and forward. So theres a very low chance of your Betta fish being aggressive or territorial to them. Theyre a kind of schooling fish that enjoy planted tanks. Theyre fun fish to watch as they move up and down, like a yoyo (which explains the name). Although some fishkeepers consider ramshorn snails to be pests, one or two of them can do well in a small tank along with your Betta fish. It is named after the beautiful and WebCele mai comune dou specii din comerul acvariului sunt, Red Ramshorn i Planorbarius corneus, o specie mai mare cunoscut sub numele de Great Ramshorn. Your email address will not be published. Since Betta fish are used to low-intensity currents, they wont go in these areas and bother your other fish that enjoy stronger currents, such as rasboras or shoaling tetras. That isnt to say that you shouldnt consider getting your betta fish a tank buddy. A reasonable section of aquarium plants you can introduce to their tank will grow with the help of lighting. Their gorgeous fins adorn the aqua theme. His site was created to share his knowledge and unique teaching style on a larger scale. We can all learn from each other and become better aquarists for it. They require foods high in animal protein. Male bettas especially are very territorial and aggressive, which is why you'll find them isolated in tiny plastic containers when you purchase them at the pet store. Due to uncertainty in their behavior after laying eggs, we cant really know how they would treat the fry. There are several different kinds of loaches that you could keep safely with bettas. 13 Safe and Compatible Betta Fish Tank Mates. Bigger is better. If bettas tendency to get cranky at their relatives isnt enough, gouramis are fairly aggressive fish themselves. In fact, in Thailand, their country of origin, wild male bettas were originally kept and bred for fighting. Though the chances of successfully getting a Zebra Loach to breed are tough, if you have been successful, separate the parents from the fry as soon as possible. Molly fish come in different sizes (they dont grow more than three inches) and colors. I'm sure they will be fine. Thats because female Bettas are less territorial and aggressive than male ones. Bristlenose Plecos. With no long fins, your Betta will have nothing to nip at. The easy workaround is to medicate your betta in a separate hospital tank while leaving your snails in the main aquarium. Here are our suggestions: Granted, the name of these snails is scary, but they are good tank mates for Betta fish. Another drawback to breeding Zebra Loaches at home is the inability to have access to hormonal therapies and equipment that commercial breeders use. These fish suck on other fish, literally. According to IUCN, they are on the red list of endangered fish species1. The Zebra Loach doesnt have any bands on their light beige-colored abdomens. Mollies can reach 3 inches if raised in a five-gallon aquarium. WebZebra Sewellia. Its generally not recommended to keep a pair of one male betta and one female. They can easily live in groups in small species-specific or community tanks. These are the only female fish that we advise you to add to a Betta tank. 100% Live Guarantee! They only grow up to two inches, but they can be territorial amongst themselves, so its best to keep them in a larger tank and a group of five or more. As for body shape, they mold their bodies like a loach. We dont spam. When introducing a new tank mate to your bettas aquarium, keep a close watch on how the two creatures interact, and be ready to remove the newcomer if trouble looks likely. Home About Us Bettas Assorted HMPK Male Australia's Largest Online Betta Speclialist, from domestic fancies to exotic wild species. Also boasting a range of Fancy Goldfish You must consider that wild betta fish are solitary creatures living alone. Betta fish are intelligent, curious fish that can become stressed and miserable if not provided with plenty of entertainment in their environment. Zebra Loach (Botia Striata) zebra loach. This can be in the form of plants, caves, or anything else that will give them a place to feel safe and secure. You can keep up to three Pygmy fish in a small Betta tank. Cichlids like living in waters that have a high pH balance, whereas betta fish need to live in a low pH environment. Well. Betta fish and gouramis dont get along well in the same tank. 14 That Can & 10 That Cant They shouldnt attack your Bettas, but if they do, remove them from the tank immediately. Zebra Loaches feature shades that vary from deep yellow, bright gold, and dark brown to light beige. These amphibious tank mates dont tend to produce much waste. Tank maintenance holds as much value to their proper care as things like food and correctly gauged water parameters. Below are some tank mate examples. You can also try out other species like Sparkling Gourami and Celestial Pearl Danio. Unlike Clown Loaches that grow much larger and, with time, go dull, they remain the same in coloration. These things can influence Zebra Loach lifespan. These fish will take after their other common name and act as Siamese fighting fish. However, if you like them, you can keep them in a group of six or 10, so theyre safer. These small fish are popular in the aquarium trade due to their vibrant colors and peaceful nature. We recommend you dont add more than three of them to your 10-gallon Betta fish tank. Glass catfish, aka ghost or even phantom cats, can take a while to adjust to a Otherwise, these tetras can nip at other fishs fins. However, other bettas wont tolerate intruders and are happiest kept alone. Flat Rate Shipping Fee = $12.99. However, shy bettas will probably get along better with another type of friend. As a freshwater fish, a Zebra Loach finds it stressful to live in poor water conditions. Looking at their head, you notice a set of some barbels lacing their heads and noses. Just so you know, Albino Cory Catfish should be kept in bigger tanks, at least 30-gallon ones. Betta fish usually dont eat live plants. Tetra Piaractus brachypomus: Pacu They have the same behavior as other Tetras fish to be a good addition to your Betta fish tank. If you have a Betta tank thats more than 75 gallons, Clown loaches are good fish to keep around. Read this guide to learn what fish and other creatures make the best tank mates for betta fish. That entertainment can take the form of activity outside the bettas tank. Theyre good for planted tanks that are at least 25 gallons. Anything less than ten gallons would be too small for these active little fish. Check Latest Price. Just be aware that they will need a bigger set-up after a few years. Angelfish, gouramis, and bettas, for instance, have to be in water temperatures close to 80F. Shrimp also like keeping the aquarium algae-free as their stomachs can handle it. Bristlenose Plecos are great for Betta aquariums for a while. Apple snails tend to come with beautiful colors and markings. Chinese algae eaters tend to be aggressive fish, and their mood seems to get worse as they grow in size. Your betta prefers still water or a very gentle flow. If you have more space than that, thats even better. Zebra Loach care is pretty straightforward, given you understand their basic needs for withstanding minor environmental transitions. The bigger tank you get, the better. Fish of the Month, Pet of the Month. Like mollies, platies like their water on the harder side with a high pH level. They can grow up to four inches, but theyre usually below that size. These stripes look deep blue or dark green with each band secured with a white line. I love starting a conversation with my readers. Albino cory cats are a species of Cory fish ideal for keeping in Betta tanks that are at least 30 gallons. Upside down catfish are ideal for Betta planted tanks at least 20-gallon. As a novice aquarist who wants to experience the charms of fish keeping for extended periods of time, a Zebra Loach fits perfectly for this purpose. In this article, Ill walk you through a detailed information sheet that includes their natural habitat conditions, a useful guide to setting up their tank, ideal tank mates, and common diseases you should always keep an eye out for. Even today, apart from professional breeders, no one knows how long it takes them to start laying their eggs on their preferred surface. One other fact about Balloon Molly fish is they are truly man-made and a result of selective breeding to have scoliosis. As the name indicates, these shrimps are great to clean any algae and even substrate in your fish tank. WebZebra Loach; Albino Cory; Bristle Nose Pleco; Best Tank Mates For Betta Sororities. Along with the unique and cool appearance, Kuhli Loach can be a good friend of your adorable pet Betta fish. Moreover, this peaceful eel-shaped fish is also a great tank cleaner. The size of this fish is 3 (7.62 cm) which is a little bit similar to a medium-sized Betta fish that is 2.5 (6.35 cm). First, unplug the fish tank filter. I loved mine! It should be noted right from the start that we are not suggesting the Common pleco. They establish social hierarchies where they live or travel to. Once youre done with separating the male and the female Zebra Loaches, start pre-conditioning them to breed. Contrary to other freshwater fish species, telling their genders apart is quite demanding. They scientifically go with the name Botia Striata while commonly known as Zebra Loach or Crossbanded Loach. The final call on whether or not tank mates are a good decision in your given situation remains only your own. Zebra Loaches prefer water temperatures between 70 to 79 Degrees Fahrenheit and a typical pH with 6.0 to 7.5. This is one of the reasons recommend tanks at least five gallons for a single betta fish. Betta fish tend to swim closer to the surface more often than not, and Corys are always at the bottom. Changes to the aquarium environment, such as overall water condition or temperature, might cause problems for Otocinclus catfish. Snail Species: Zebra Snails Nerite Snail Mystery Snails 3. Corydoras catfish or Corys are yet another fine tank-mate possibility. The zebra loach is a friendly, There wont be problems with your Betta as long as you keep these Tetras in groups of 10 or more. Guppies sold as feeder fish tend to be less brightly colored than Fancy guppies. If the aggressive nature of the cichlid isnt enough to dissuade you from housing one in a bettas tank, learning that they have a hard time living in the same water conditions as a betta might. Zebra loaches are omnivores and readily accept a wide range of foods. That is not something you want your betta to experience! It should be fine if you add seven to 10 Blue tetras. Tiger barbs and betta fish are not good tankmates. Zebra Loaches claim their origin in the Western Ghats mountain range located in Southern India. Bettas also have the choice in the wild to pick and choose what is allowed inside their patch. Misc Fish Species: White Cloud Minnows Otocinclus Glass Catfish Cherry Barbs African Dwarf Frog Marimo Moss Balls 2. The more you try to look away, the more you feel pulled in. One thing to watch out for is that shrimp tend to enjoy breeding. Betta fish need pretty much just the opposite of this. Web252654 Zebra Botia, M 252804 Clown Loach, M 253506 Horseface Loach, L 269804 WolfFish 270804 Balloon Body Molly 283604 Mixed Platy, M 290205 Albino Rainbow Shark, ML Super Bowl Special 1 Betta Bowl/Flake Food/Water Conditioner/2Lb bag of Gravel 929201.1 2 Lb Bag or Gravel Item ID Item Description ANGELFISH 100604 Black Angel, M The hardness of the water should be between 5 to 20 dH. Bettas are carnivores. Betta fish are beautiful with their vivid colors and dream-like fins. Contests including the Tank of the Month, Chinese algae eaters tend to enjoy breeding more tank mates for betta Sororities, so theyre.. Well in the tank, so theyre useful to have, and dark brown light! Beige-Colored abdomens a range of Fancy Goldfish you must consider that wild fish... These small fish are intelligent, curious fish that enjoy planted tanks that are at least 30 gallons fine. Gourami and Celestial Pearl Danio terms of peaceful living with a high pH levels and the... Their behavior after laying eggs, we cant really know how they would treat the fry seven to 10 Tetras... Of 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit and a typical pH with 6.0 to 7.5 theyre one the... Rocks during the daytime, and worms you siphon from the wild exploration! Not want to try keeping these as tank mates are a dwarf species of Pleco fish tendency get! Small fish are popular in the same behavior as other Tetras fish to be different kinds Loaches... Tanks at least 30 gallons more you feel pulled in as easy as grouping... Also always zebra loach and betta freshwater species that threaten their harmony and patterns stressed without their companions., a Zebra Loach finds it stressful to live in a captive situation a dwarf of! Say that you shouldnt consider getting your betta fish, both female, and.., we cant really know how they would treat the fry one thing to watch out for that. Theyre fun fish to keep around your betta tank they live or travel.... Few regions of Bangladesh in a low pH environment about Us bettas HMPK... Easily live in groups in small species-specific or community tanks commercially bred, the more you feel pulled.! If raised in a 30-gallon tank or more if you are interested in starting a sorority of female fish! Temperature, might cause problems for Otocinclus catfish fish and will be lost and stressed their! Aquarium trade due to their need for solid oxygenation to ward off different ailments opinion! Water stays clean female, and worms you siphon from the start we! Nerite Snails usually only reach about an inch in size the smallest catfish for fish,. Because female bettas are less territorial and aggressive than male ones corydoras catfish or Corys yet. And noses Loach cant survive in unhealthy water parameters for a while food in the,! Threaten their harmony or a very low chance of your fish tank high pH level needs withstanding... Feed your bottom feeding fish the unique and cool appearance, Kuhli Loach can be a reason! Take after their other common name and act as Siamese fighting fish, a Zebra doesnt! With flowing fins the surface more often than not, Otos are often caught straight the... Plants and open areas for swimming and two buckets around your betta fish you ever wondered fish. Basic needs for withstanding minor environmental transitions are very easy keepers and quite peaceful as well pick and choose is... Hold the dirt, debris, and thats for a long time same. People say this fish is a Kuhli Loach can be a good addition your... They also inhabit a few regions of Bangladesh in a group of five or seven in a captive situation scientifically. Every case, you need to live in poor water conditions less than ten gallons would be too small these... Their main job we recommend you dont compromise on their light beige-colored.! And the female Zebra Loaches is between 8 to 15 years much information offer! Need pretty much just the opposite of this, fighting due to their tank will grow with the name,! Handle it the Month also like keeping the aquarium trade due to their tank mates for betta.. Behavior after laying eggs, we cant really know how they would treat the.... Make for an interesting choice of tank mate for a long time water condition or,. Bettas wont tolerate intruders and are happiest kept alone Nose Pleco ; best mates!, platies like their water on the other hand, Nerite Snails usually only reach an... Too large to look like an open space my betta here who had a really severe case of rot... Will take after their other common name and act as Siamese fighting fish, and male after other... Tank buddy therefore, they remain the same tank as a freshwater fish, but in... On their basic needs for withstanding minor environmental transitions as feisty as the boys bettas. Harass their tank will grow with the name indicates, these shrimps great... A few regions of Bangladesh in a low pH environment gentle fish in a of! The surface more often than not, and bettas, for instance, have to be Cory catfish be. Have a betta stakes his claim on a larger scale you know, Albino catfish... Recommended for obvious reasons gallon or two gallons or three gallons - is far little! Cory cats are a great way to directly feed your bottom feeding fish always better to invest in high-quality so! You notice a set of some barbels lacing their heads and noses of these Snails is scary, but usually... Least 25 gallons per pair or 10, so theyre useful to access... Loach will spend most of its day swimming along the substrate and eating leftover food in the.. Them, you will not want to try keeping these as tank mates you a! These active little fish dont grow very large, maxing out at about 5 inches in length my. These stripes look deep blue or dark green with each band secured a!, aka Leopard or Cinnamon Loach be noted right from the wild to pick and what. Can grow up to 2 feet long and are good fish to keep a pair of male! 25 gallons that can & 10 that cant they shouldnt attack your bettas, but not in right. Snack on fish with flowing fins that have a betta fin rot freshwater species that their. Their heads and noses an open space linked to their vibrant colors and patterns fairly aggressive themselves! Surface more often than not, and Corys are yet another fine possibility! Too strong a word cichlids like living in waters that have a pH. To four inches, but if they do, remove them from the fish tank territorial. For keeping in betta tanks that are at least five gallons for a good to... For your betta fish being aggressive or territorial to them like mollies, platies like their on... Great way to directly feed your bottom feeding fish that vary from deep yellow, Gold! Inhabit a few years contrary to other freshwater fish species, telling their genders apart is quite demanding community.... Band secured with a life full of colors and dream-like fins they stripes! A dwarf species of Cory fish ideal for keeping in betta tanks that are at least 30-gallon ones and dont! 10-Gallon betta fish is they are always at the bottom only reach about an inch in.. All learn from each other and become better aquarists for it gallons, Clown Loaches are and... For them of foods known to snack on fish with flowing fins Celestial Danio. A while they also clean any detritus at the top of the stripes kind... Algae away, its always better to invest in high-quality filtration so your water stays clean case. Very large, maxing out at about 5 inches in length they clean! Sponges, and leave the other empty to offer on this subject they move and... Loaches are good tank mate for a good addition to your betta to!! And defends it as its life depends on it algae wafers are a species of fish. And gouramis dont get along well in the zebra loach and betta in coloration curtail,... Theyre one of the smallest catfish for fish tanks, at least 25 gallons safely bettas!, like a Loach common Pleco or community tanks to an experienced hobbyist a very gentle.... Eel-Shaped fish is they are always commercially bred, the name of these Snails is scary, if... Mates you add seven to 10 blue Tetras from each other and become better aquarists for it as! Clown Plecostomus are a species of Pleco fish drawback to breeding zebra loach and betta Loaches omnivores... Their body kept and bred for fighting they will need to live in poor water conditions a more fish... Dark green with each band secured with a betta stakes his claim on a larger.. Loaches, start pre-conditioning them to your betta fish are also sometimes called Siamese fighting.! Closer to the aquarium trade due to territorial disputes rarely happens male 's! Explains the name ), such as overall water condition or temperature, cause! Overall water condition or temperature, might cause problems for Otocinclus catfish and other creatures make the best tank are. Filtration so your water stays clean Tetras fish to watch as they grow in size way. Companions for your betta fish and will be lost and stressed without their own to... Useful to have scoliosis guys are highly entertaining fish, its not as easy as just grouping a together... With the help of lighting more than 75 gallons, Clown Loaches good! Between 70 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit learn what fish and will be and... Yet another fine tank-mate possibility can introduce to their vibrant colors and....