What fish are best for a 3-gallon tank? Can bettas have tank mates?

Most of the compatible fish are schooling fish that do best in groups of 4-8. This would include Neon Tetras, Ember Tetras, Harlequin Rasboras or White Cloud Minnows. That many fish may be too much for a 3 gallon tank. Other non-fish option include Ghost Shrimp, Zebra Snails or African Dwarf Frogs.

The small size will limit the species of fish as well as the number. White Cloud Minnows or Guppies would do fine in a small tank. You could keep no more than 2 or 3 fish total. If you are looking for company for your Betta, the same species can be kept. Other options include Otocinclus (Otos), Corys, Platys or Harlequin Rasboras. Again, no more than one or two in addition to the Betta. Water changes for any tank are simple. Change no more than 30% total volume at a time. Use a water conditioner to remove harmful chemicals and make sure the water is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Rinse the filter in tank water, not tap water, to preserve beneficial bacteria. Vacuum the substrate every couple of weeks.

A 2.5 gallon tank is fine for a Betta and 2 snails. If you have artificial plants, use ones made of silk instead of plastic which can harm delicate fins. You'll need a heater also. Bettas are tropical fish and do best between 78 F and 80 F.

A snail would be fine but anything else and the Betta may try to bully or pick at it. Most fish ignore snails but watch closely that Norman does not take a lot of interest in the snail. If he does, you will need rehome the snail.

It's not really recommended to keep fish in bowls with no filtration. And 2.5 gallons isn't really big enough for much. A Beta fish may possibly do ok in it if you can maintain it. But I would recommend more doing plants and a few snails or ghost shrimp type of animals in a bowl that size.

It is very difficult to see the markings of these fish from the pictures. Many fish may be able to live with a Betta if there is a large enough tank. Here are some guidelines on how to pick tabkmates for a Betta. No nibblers – if a fish nibbles at a Betta fish they will get bit back! Bigger fish and colorful fish could be seen to be intimidating – you don’t want to intimidate a fighting fish! Think of the size of your aquarium – you should always have 5 gallons of personal water space for your betta fish Many bottom feeders* are fish that can live with bettas Remember the dietary requirements for both tank mates Add a few tank ornaments and live plants for any intimidated fish to hide (just incase) You can find some more info here. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/category_home.cfm?acatid=158

Hi there! The general rule of thumb is 1 gallon for each inch of fish, so I think that you may need a bigger tank. If the bettas are 2 inches each, they each require 2 gallons of water, making the minimum tank size 14 gallons. Since male bettas can be territorial and aggressive, I highly recommend a larger than normal tank with lots of hiding places for 7 fish (at least 20-25 gallons). You should also watch them very carefully for fighting, and have a backup plan in case any of them need to be separated. Good luck!