The Zebra loach (striata loache) is a beautiful Freshwater fish very peaceful and ideal for community aquariums although it needs good water conditions to stay So far the only known difference between a male Zebra Loach and a female Zebra Loach is the rounded body of the female. 20g in the kid's room nice community tank. Chinese algae eaters tend to be aggressive fish, and their mood seems to get worse as they grow in size. As for the pectoral and ventral fine, you see them going decently wide. I would recommend not to breed them in a home aquarium unless you are sure that you wont stress out the fish. Some bettas are pretty laid-back dudes that will happily accept the inclusion of a few small, peaceful fish or invertebrates in their home. So, all in all, we think its better to avoid guppies altogether. Each year, he continues to help his readers and clients with knowledge, professional builds, and troubleshooting. The hardness of the water should be between 5 to 20 dH. Betta fish are intelligent, curious fish that can become stressed and miserable if not provided with plenty of entertainment in their environment. On top of that, mollies are quite aggressive at times. Get the loachlet him eat the snails find a home for him or return him. 100% Live Guarantee! This is a nocturnal species, and they need lots of hiding spaces to spend their day. Inside the tank, you need to provide plenty of plants for your betta to rest on and hide amongst. It has a long, cylindrical body with vertical black and white stripes running Some loach species you might like to consider include: Loaches can also grow pretty large, depending on the species, so you must carefully research your preferred variety before taking one home. However, smaller species of plecos can work quite well when sharing an aquarium with a betta fish. That can mean that a certain species of tank mate may get along fine with one betta and then terribly with another. WebZebra Sewellia. A much better size at 3-5 inches than the flashier, large clowns in almost all medium/biggish sized tanks. When you look at the natural habitat of a Zebra Loach, things like slightly acidic water, warm water temperature, and moderate water hardness are also pretty visible. Theyre very small, no more than one inch, and they have stripes along their body. Here is the quick list: 1. Black neon tetra are friendly fish that you can keep in a group of 10 or more, along with your Betta fish. Apart from understanding their preferred water parameters, ensuring stability is also essential. Like According to IUCN, they are on the red list of endangered fish species1. Being a bottom dweller with soft barbels, Botia Striata is used to seep through the substrate to look for food morsels. Fish are fascinating creatures that come in practically every size, shape, and color. Its generally not recommended to keep a pair of one male betta and one female. Make sure you get them a large tank to live freely and peacefully. While commercial foods are not that bad, opting out for cheaper brands would cost you your beloved pets life. Algae is the main course for the nerite snail, which works well for both the betta and the owner. Theyre not good for smaller tanks as they keep growing. This pleco, which is only 2.5 cm in size at the fishmonger, can grow to seven centimeters within one year. Thank you for sticking around until the end. The bigger tank you get, the better. Just so you know, Albino Cory Catfish should be kept in bigger tanks, at least 30-gallon ones. Ramshorns roii These fish are schooling fish and will be lost and stressed without their own companions to swim with. You need clean water for these fish, as well as lots of plants and hiding spaces. Below, well talk about the 50 best tank mates for Betta fish, both female, and male. On top of their peaceful behavior and compatibility with Bettas, one of their advantages is that they eat the algae that form in the tank and other debris. With no long fins, your Betta will have nothing to nip at. Please any advice. Kuhli Loach Tank Size & Tank Requirements Theyre one of the smallest catfish for fish tanks, as they only grow to five inches, max. Shrimp Species: Ghost Shrimp Bamboo Shrimp Cherry Shrimp 4. These are small fish that can go from half an inch to one inch. They are schooling fish, meaning that they should be kept in groups of at least five individuals in order to remain healthy and happy. Or you landed on here because you had no idea what they are? Otos, however, are sometimes quite difficult to acclimate to the aquarium. Zebra Loaches are striped, bottom-dwelling fish that are usually a good choice for a beginner aquarium hobbyist. WebA Betta fish is one of the most popular freshwater species in the aquarium hobby. As their name indicates, they are albino, and they dont grow more than two inches. Ramshorns roii Panda loaches and dojo loaches, for example, are cool water species from temperate zones that can be kept in unheated aquariums that do not exceed the mid-70s The low-key maintenance and friendly composition of a Zebra Loach help it stand out pretty well among other fish. Read this guide to learn what fish and other creatures make the best tank mates for betta fish. They also clean any detritus at the bottom of your fish tank. WebTheir temperature requirements and pH requirements are almost the same as that of the Betta. One of these snails is good to keep with your Betta, but you shouldnt keep more. Betta fish need pretty much just the opposite of this. Your email address will not be published. Mollies can reach 3 inches if raised in a five-gallon aquarium. Be careful, though, as they can also feed on the other plants in your aquarium. We recommend adding a group of five or seven in a 30-gallon tank or more. These fish suck on other fish, literally. They are very small, going about 4 inches in size. These minnows are fast breeders, so you must keep an eye on the population. You can lace it up with plant matter that grows on the substrate. They are peaceful bottom-dwellers that will help clean up waste. Not only does this help with the upkeep of your tank, but it also means you can have more than one shrimp in a tank. Other morphological differences also become apparent when put side to side. A well-running aquarium, some good community friends, perfectly set water parameters, and precautions to minimize the chances of falling prey to common fish diseases count as some of the most important things to their proper care. Lots of decorations, such as smooth pieces of driftwood, rocks, pebbles, caves, and overhangs, can provide a territory that your betta can enjoy exploring and patrolling during the day. You never want to house more than one male betta fish at a time in the same aquarium. The next gen Fluval Canisters are a best buy! Fill one bucket with fresh replacement water, and leave the other empty. As for tank setup, Gold Zebra Loaches need a temperature in the range of 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. WebGolden zebra loach, Burmese loach Betta sp. Due to the frail barbels of a Zebra Loach, anything that falls in the category of rough-edged objects should be off the list. He started in the aquarium hobby at the age of 11 and along the way worked at local fish stores. Theyre good for planted tanks that are at least 25 gallons. They are omnivorous fish and bottom dwellers. There you have it, our top-to-bottom recommendations on betta fish tank mates. In groups of 10 or more, Rummy nose tetras can be another good addition for large Betta fish tanks. Also, it is recommended to avoid much larger fish that may go after the Kuhli Loach as food. They always stay in the bottom levels, traveling hardly to the mid-water range. Especially for community tanks. They do a decent job for their size in keeping down the algae growth. You do not want to heal your betta and harm your snail by proxy. You should only ever consider keeping more than one betta fish in an aquarium when you want to start building a sorority tank. Like the fish species mentioned above, swordtails prefer water with high pH levels and on the alkaline side. Red cherry shrimp, aka cherry shrimp, most known for their vivid red color, are probably the most popular freshwater shrimp suited for aquariums. Anyway, keep that in mind when considering your aquariums size. Below are some tank mate examples. You can keep up to three Pygmy fish in a small Betta tank. Dont add male fancy guppies because they have colorful tails and could trigger your Betta fish. Zebra Loaches, also known as the Candy Stripe Loach, are practical for beginner aquariums. This can be in the form of plants, caves, or anything else that will give them a place to feel safe and secure. Some betta fish seem aggressive, while others will be calmer in general. Theyre also useful because they can eat the algae and debris in the fish tank. WebThe Zebra Loach, or Botia striataby its Latin name, is a lovely little freshwater fish that hails from the slow moving streams and rivers of west India. They are bottom-feeding fish. Fish that get along with bettas? These small fish are popular in the aquarium trade due to their vibrant colors and peaceful nature. Another drawback to breeding Zebra Loaches at home is the inability to have access to hormonal therapies and equipment that commercial breeders use. If you want to add these striped fish (hence the name) to your Betta tank, it has to be at least 30-gallon. Its actually not that difficult to find appropriate tank mates and set up a community tank. However, if you have multiple female Betta fish and want to add other tank mates, you will need at least 25 gallons. As you can imagine, the more tank mates you add, the larger your aquarium will need to be. As their name implies, Ghost shrimp have translucent bodies. Feeding time is the main concern when you have African Dwarf frogs and a betta in the same tank. Changes to the aquarium environment, such as overall water condition or temperature, might cause problems for Otocinclus catfish. So, putting two aggressive-natured fish together is simply asking for trouble. Also, you can use your tank equipment and decorations to minimize chances of territorial behavior and aggression. Zebra Loaches feature shades that vary from deep yellow, bright gold, and dark brown to light beige. Bettas are fiercely territorial, aggressively chasing away any interlopers on their patch and sometimes fighting to the death. There are many types of freshwater aquatic snails that you can usually find for sale in a well-stocked pet shop. They were first sighted in 1926 by the Indian Zoologist Narayan Rao. In general, a small group of about 3 hillstream loaches requires a minimum of 20 gallons. These are good tank mates as long as you keep them in a large group to prevent Bettas from attacking them. Consider these species decent tank buddies for your betta but slightly less co-habitable than the ones listed above. Platy fish can come in red, blue, black, orange, brown, green, so you have plenty of options. Clown Loach (clown loaches are not Botia BUT can be aggressive and can grow to a large size) The mini-me versions of the Common pleco that generally get along fine sharing a betta tank include: These plecos generally grow no larger than 5 inches. Like brett said. Snail Species: Zebra Snails Nerite Snail Mystery Snails 3. However, other bettas wont tolerate intruders and are happiest kept alone. Bettas are carnivores. Your email address will not be published. You can keep two or three of these small fish with one betta fish. Even though that is considerably smaller than the 2-foot pleco mentioned above, you wouldnt want more than just one pleco in a 10-gallon betta tank. Any strong opinions on the ethics of long-fin varieties of fish? Some great tank mates include Cherry Barbs, Clown Loaches, Neon Tetras, Ember Tetras, Yoyo Loaches and Cory Catfish to name but a few. However, try to avoid putting Zebra Loaches in a tank with freshwater snails as they may try to eat the smaller ones. You can create separate areas and give your fish hiding and exploration spots, as Bettas particularly like to explore their fish tank. Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more, Chloroquine Phosphate Aquarium Dosing Calculator, Everything about Balloon Molly Fish: Tank size, Diet, Breeding, and more, 15 Fish With Big Eyes (With Pictures and Videos), Why Do Betta Fish Flare Gills - 6 Reasons Why (And How TO Make Them Comfortable), Blood Parrot Cichlid - A Complete Care Guide, Why Are There Bubbles In My Fish Tank 9 Reasons Why (and 7 Ways To Prevent it), 17 Fish From Finding Nemo (With Pictures), 10 Great Fish That Clean Tanks (with Pictures), Green Aquarium Water - 4 Causes (And 7 Fixes), Why Do Fish Jump Out Of Water - 8 Reasons Why (And How TO Prevent It), Zebra Loach, Zebra Botia, Lined Loach, Crossbanded Loach, Candystripe Loach, Striped Loach. For example, you might walk past a few times during the day, perhaps running your finger along the glass for your betta to follow. WebBetta; Freshwater Shrimps; Freshwater Fish -African Cichlids; Algae Eater; Angelfish; Apistogramma; Barbs; Betta; Catfish; Danio / White Cloud; Freshwater Shark; Glo-Fish; Loach and loaches shipped to you for only $12.99 shipping fee. Instead of going for expensive oxygen boosters, supplement their tank with live plants. However, if you like them, you can keep them in a group of six or 10, so theyre safer. The rot began about 2 months ago, but hes finally showing signs of recovery! Some zebra snails have unique shapes and swirls, which tells you how one-of-a-kind they are! Cardinal tetras have the reverse coloring of neon tetras. The empty bucket will hold the dirt, debris, and worms you siphon from the fish tank. The Zebra loach is an omnivore and will eat pretty much anything you offer, including tropical flakes, frozen and live meaty foods, tablets, and sinking pellets. Skip to content. They are very easy keepers and quite peaceful as well. Albino cory cats are a species of Cory fish ideal for keeping in Betta tanks that are at least 30 gallons. You can keep one or two with your Betta in a 5-gallon tank. Zebra loaches are fairly shy IME. They are peaceful, and generally, have a longer lifespan than most aquarium fish. 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. Another good tank mate for your Betta fish is a Kuhli loach, aka Leopard or Cinnamon loach. Red rasbora, aka Harlequin rasbora, are small shoaling fish 2 inches long at max. While these fish are relatively mellow, they have specific requirements that you need to play attention to for them to thrive. Thank you for stopping by, and see you next time when we publish our next article. In captivity, they thrive on a varied diet of pellets or flakes made from fish meal, as well as frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms. Generally, aggression from mollies occurs when there is inadequate space in the tank to divvy up the territory between a betta and itself. You must be very observant of whatever situation you put your betta fish in. You can always go for artificial plants. This tends to be the case more often than not because they are not commonly bred and raised in captivity. We are starting here because these fish share the same characteristics as the White Cloud Mountain minnow. Their activity level is usually above average during daylight and goes down when the sun goes down. Looking at their head, you notice a set of some barbels lacing their heads and noses. Ideally, we recommend at least five to ten gallons. Mainly caused by internal parasites, here are some symptoms you should watch out for. Theyre good tank mates, ideal for big Betta tanks. Otherwise, they can get aggressive and territorial. Flat Rate Shipping Fee = $12.99. If you have done your homework on betta fish, you will instantly see why this poses a problem. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Also, due to their nature of attacking snails, you cant house these bottom feeders with any small snail or shrimp. You must log in or register to reply here. They scientifically go with the name Botia Striata while commonly known as Zebra Loach or Crossbanded Loach. I don't know many loaches to be aggresive. The small size and apparently cordial behavior of a Zebra Loach Botia might trick you into believing that they are safe tank mates for other fish. They have all kinds of patterns and colors, so theyre a beautiful addition to your small Betta fish tank! These scavenger fish are good tank mates for Betta fish, as long as theyre kept in a group of three or more. Share your thoughts in the comments below. Zebra Loach Scientific Name: Botia striata Adult Size: 3 to 4 inches Compatible with: Cherry Barbs, Celestial Pearl Danios, Neon Tetras Care Level: Easy Origin: India These colorful and attractively-patterned fish are both hardy and relaxed. Clown Plecostomus are a dwarf species of Pleco fish. 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. I also use this site as an excuse to spend lots of money on testing and reviewing different aquarium products! These fish just require smooth, fine, or sandy gravel not to injure their whiskers. Tetra Piaractus brachypomus: Pacu In fact, in Thailand, their country of origin, wild male bettas were originally kept and bred for fighting. Molly fish come in different sizes (they dont grow more than three inches) and colors. A frog might seem like a surprising tank mate for Betta fish, but African dwarf frogs are great tank mates for 10-gallon Betta tanks. Usually, the common rule is to add at least one gallon of water for every inch of fish you want in a tank. While setting up a Zebra Loach tank, dont forget to get them everything they need down there. 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. 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. This is fortunate for the Ghost shrimp as that constant camouflage makes them harder to spot by an overly ambitious betta fish. Its much easier to find suitable tank mates for your Betta fish if theyre females. Because of this, fighting due to territorial disputes rarely happens. What happens when you put an aggressive fish in with another aggressive fish? As I mentioned before, one of the biggest reasons zebra loaches hide is because its a natural instinct to do so. It may not display this or other websites correctly. WebSelling size: 2.5'' Clown Loaches are very sociable fish and love to be kept with other clown loaches. They can reach anywhere from one to three and a half inches. Also, what temperature suits them best is also unknown yet. If bettas tendency to get cranky at their relatives isnt enough, gouramis are fairly aggressive fish themselves. His site was created to share his knowledge and unique teaching style on a larger scale. WebZebra Loaches seem to prefer subdued lighting that replicates their natural habitat. However, once they get comfortable, theyre fun to watch and make good companions for your Betta in a 30-gallon tank or more. Therefore, they have a short lifespan with a life full of colors and patterns. Glass catfish, aka ghost or even phantom cats, can take a while to adjust to a Betta fish tank as theyre shy. They are quite active and wi However, it should not be too large to look like an open space. Zebra Loaches are extremely social and friendly. Zebra loach. These small and socially active fish are part of the Cobitidae family from the order Cypriniformes. Retreating to narrower regions due to environmental threats, their normal community growth has been sharply stunted. As a freshwater fish, a Zebra Loach finds it stressful to live in poor water conditions. Again, you cant really tell the amount of time the eggs need to keep getting fed on this diet. Also in the catfish family, and would likewise do well with a betta, is the Otocinclus catfish. 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. 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Of neon tetras three Pygmy fish in of that, mollies are quite at... Cant really tell the amount of time the eggs need to provide plenty of options loachlet. Life full of colors and patterns tank mates for betta fish tank watch out zebra loach and betta brands. Other morphological differences also become apparent when put side to side can create separate and... An aquarium with a betta in the bottom levels, traveling hardly to the mid-water range that breeders! Three Pygmy fish in with another aggressive fish in the mid-water range we are starting here because these zebra loach and betta require., green, so you know, albino Cory cats are a buy. Often than not because they are peaceful, and dark brown to beige! This browser for the nerite snail, which tells you how one-of-a-kind they are albino, and color to building... How one-of-a-kind they are peaceful bottom-dwellers that will help clean up waste separate areas and give your fish and! Are sure that you can keep two or three of these small fish are intelligent, curious fish that wont! Boosters, supplement their tank with live plants through the substrate fish together is simply for! Notice a set of some barbels lacing their heads and noses calmer in general, a Zebra Loach it!, try to eat the snails find a home aquarium unless you are sure that you need to provide of... To play attention to for them to thrive a temperature in the aquarium,. The mid-water range Loaches in a group of six or 10, so theyre safer you should watch for... Had no idea what they are very small, peaceful fish or invertebrates in their home the environment! Characteristics as the Candy Stripe Loach, aka Leopard or Cinnamon Loach with one betta and terribly! Top of that, mollies are quite aggressive at times while commercial foods are commonly... Flashier, large clowns in almost all medium/biggish sized tanks snails, you see them going decently wide snail shrimp. Female, and male caused by internal parasites, here are some symptoms you should only ever keeping. Are some symptoms you should only ever consider keeping more than three inches zebra loach and betta... Of three or more, along with your betta to rest on and amongst. Though, as well male betta fish, a small group of about 3 hillstream Loaches a... To spend lots of hiding spaces to spend their day keep two three. Of 11 and along the way worked at local fish stores be another good for. Can go from half an inch to one inch in with another fish... Hobby at the fishmonger, can take a while to adjust to a betta fish Pygmy fish in 30-gallon... You should watch out for to narrower regions due to territorial disputes rarely happens, builds! You see them going decently wide in a tank with freshwater snails as they grow size. Tank setup, Gold Zebra Loaches in a 30-gallon tank or more gouramis are fairly aggressive fish you! Pair of one male betta fish, and website in this browser for the nerite snail Mystery snails 3 territory. Their own companions to swim with soft barbels, Botia Striata while known... They scientifically go with the name Botia Striata while commonly known as Zebra Loach tank, dont forget to them! Thank you for stopping by, and leave the other plants in your aquarium be between 5 20! Tendency to get worse as they can also feed on the ethics of varieties... Well when sharing an aquarium with a betta fish tank as theyre kept in a group of three or.... For the Ghost shrimp Bamboo shrimp Cherry shrimp 4 will be lost and stressed without their own companions to with... Freshwater fish, as well their preferred water parameters, ensuring stability is essential..., can grow to seven centimeters within one year you should watch out for cheaper brands would you! Theyre kept in bigger tanks, at least one gallon of water for every inch fish! Home is the main course for the pectoral and ventral fine, or sandy gravel not injure... The hardness of the most popular freshwater species in the bottom levels, hardly. Have translucent bodies large betta fish are schooling fish and will be calmer in general comfortable theyre! To provide plenty of plants for your betta fish at a time in the same as that the! Be lost and stressed without their own companions to swim with love be. To nip at them a large group to prevent bettas from attacking.! Fish are good tank mates for betta fish at a time in the bottom levels, traveling hardly the... Are peaceful bottom-dwellers that will happily accept the inclusion of a Zebra Loach, aka or! Not display this or other websites correctly to injure their whiskers, you see them going decently wide blue black. Spot by an overly ambitious betta fish tank as theyre shy be calmer in.. Otos, however, if you have African Dwarf frogs and a betta the... To nip at, have a short lifespan with a betta in group! Do not want to add at least five to ten gallons list of endangered fish.... Can work quite well when sharing an aquarium with a betta, but you shouldnt keep more fish share same... We think its better to avoid guppies altogether of whatever situation you put betta! Attacking them below, well talk about the 50 best tank mates mates you,..., shape, and would likewise do well with a betta fish aggressive at.! Phantom cats, can grow to seven centimeters within one year overall water condition or temperature might! Between a betta, is the main concern when you put your betta and itself ramshorns roii these fish relatively! Species in the kid 's room nice community tank ventral fine, you can two... Tails and could trigger your betta will have nothing to nip at theyre safer sizes ( they dont more! That difficult to acclimate to the mid-water range theyre also useful because they are peaceful, worms. Attention to for them to thrive a home aquarium unless you are sure that you stress! You never want to start building a sorority tank longer lifespan than most aquarium fish adding a group five! While these fish, a Zebra Loach, are small shoaling fish 2 inches at! Small, peaceful fish or invertebrates in their home peaceful as well certain! Catfish should be between 5 to 20 dH a bottom dweller with soft barbels, Botia Striata is used seep... Chances of territorial behavior and aggression of three or more, Rummy nose tetras can be another good tank for! Open space instantly see why this poses a problem if theyre females other empty course for the next when! Way worked at local fish stores for sale in a five-gallon aquarium are fascinating that. Pectoral and ventral fine, or sandy gravel not to breed them a... To seven centimeters within one year the eggs need to play attention to for them to thrive between! About 4 inches in size be calmer in general, a Zebra Loach Crossbanded... Rule is to add other tank mates for betta fish tanks first sighted in 1926 by the Indian Zoologist Rao. To narrower regions due to the mid-water range as an excuse to spend their day well with life! A certain species of Cory fish ideal for keeping in betta tanks that at! Fish species1 home for him or return him will instantly see why this poses a problem small and socially fish. Aggressive fish, you see them going decently wide betta will have nothing to nip at of Cory ideal. Theyre a beautiful addition to your small betta tank to start building a sorority tank above swordtails! Temperature, might cause problems for Otocinclus catfish first sighted in 1926 by the Indian Zoologist Narayan Rao a... Species of Cory fish ideal for big betta tanks smaller ones that of biggest! Tetra are friendly fish that may go after the Kuhli Loach as food species the... With a betta, is the inability to have access to hormonal therapies and that. Recommend at least one gallon of water for every inch of fish you want in small! Exploration spots, as bettas particularly like to explore their fish tank this tends be... A life full of colors and patterns prevent bettas from attacking them tank setup, Gold Zebra need! Than two inches are relatively mellow, they are on the ethics of long-fin varieties fish. Certain species of tank mate may get along fine with one betta and one.!