Whether you’re an experienced aquarist or just getting started in the hobby, you may be wondering if it’s possible to keep angel fish and betta fish together. This common question arises because both species are popular freshwater fish with unique personalities and behaviors.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: angel fish and bettas can potentially coexist peacefully if proper steps are taken with tank size, tank mates, and monitoring their interactions. However, there are also risks to housing them together that you need to consider.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about mixing these two fish, including ideal tank setups, tank mates, potential problems to watch for, and tips to increase compatibility and reduce aggression.
Read on to learn all the key factors in successfully keeping angel fish with bettas!
Tank Size Considerations for Angel Fish and Betta
Minimum Tank Size for Angels and Bettas
The minimum recommended tank size for keeping an angel fish is 29 gallons. This allows room for the angel fish to grow to its full adult size of up to 6 inches. Betta fish need at least a 5 gallon tank to thrive.
Keeping either fish in too small of a tank risks stunting their growth and leading to disease and early death.
While technically you could keep a betta in a tiny 1-2 gallon desktop tank, they will be much happier with more room to swim around. Female bettas in particular should have at least a 10 gallon tank since they are even more active than males.
Tank Depth Is Important for Angels
Angels need a tank with at least 12-18 inches of depth to give them adequate vertical swimming space. As anaerobic fish, they greatly appreciate planted tanks with lots of hiding spots among roots and leaves. Dense planting also protects their long, delicate fins from getting damaged.
Bettas do not require as much depth, as they primarily swim at the top and middle levels of the tank. But they still appreciate a tank with 10+ inches of height for comfort.
Tank Length and Horizontal Swimming Space
Angels should have a tank at least 24 inches long to have sufficient room to swim horizontally. Active varieties like silver angels need even more swim room. Bettas are satisfied with a footprint of at least 16×8 inches for cruising back and forth.
Here is a handy comparison of minimum recommended tank sizes:
| Fish Type | Minimum Tank Size |
| Angel Fish | 29 gallon |
| Betta Fish | 5 gallon |
As you can see, angels need much larger tanks overall to accommodate their potential full grown size. But bettas still deserve ample space for stress-free living, so do not keep them in tiny 1 gallon tanks.
Ideal Tank Mates for Angel and Betta Community
Bottom Dwellers
When keeping angel fish and bettas together, it’s important to choose peaceful bottom dwellers that won’t compete for territory. Some great options include:
- Corydoras Catfish: These small, armored catfish are an excellent choice. They stay towards the bottom and help clean up extra food and debris.
- Kuhli Loaches: Fun and energetic loaches that dwell in the lower parts of the tank. Their eel-like bodies and nocturnal activity make them interesting to watch.
- Bristlenose Plecos: Helpful algae eaters that reach 4-6 inches in length. They tend to mind their own business and are hardy fish.
Avoid aggressive bottom dwellers like crayfish that may nip fins or uproot plants. No more than 1 bottom dweller per 5-10 gallons is recommended.
Schooling Fish
Some schooling fish make excellent tank mates for angels and bettas when kept in large enough groups. Try to have at least 6 of the same species. Good choices include:
- Tetras: Neon tetras, black skirt tetras, cardinal tetras, and rummy nose tetras are colorful options that won’t bother angels or bettas.
- Rasboras: Harlequin rasboras and lambchop rasboras school together while ignoring other fish.
- Danios: Zebra danios and pearl danios are very active but do not pester slower tank inhabitants.
Avoid fin-nipping species like tiger barbs. Also be mindful of fish that may compete with angels and bettas for food like larger tetras.
Avoid Aggressive Tank Mates
Angelfish and bettas should never be kept with notoriously aggressive fish that may attack or stress them out. Some species to avoid include:
- Cichlids: Convict cichlids, Jack Dempseys, and other large or territorial cichlids are likely to bully passive community fish.
- Gouramis: Kissing gouramis, blue gouramis, and pearl gouramis tend to fight with bettas and angels over space.
- Goldfish: Fast moving goldfish often nip fins and will compete for food.
It’s also best to avoid keeping multiple bettas or angels together unless you have a very large tank. Monitor all new fish for signs of aggression like chasing or fin nipping. Be ready to separate any overly aggressive species.
By choosing suitable tank mates, you can create a thriving community with angel fish and bettas. Opt for bottom dwellers, small schooling fish, and avoid territorial or fin-nipping fish. Provide plenty of plants and hiding spots and a larger tank of at least 40 gallons.
With some planning, these two beautiful fish can coexist peacefully!
Monitoring Behavior and Preventing Aggression
Watch for Flaring, Nipping, and Chasing
Bettas and angel fish can sometimes display aggressive behaviors like flaring their fins, nipping, and chasing when housed together. It’s crucial to closely observe their interactions, especially in the first few days of cohabitation, to spot any concerning behaviors right away.
Flaring, where the betta expands its gill covers, may just be a harmless display of dominance. But persistent chasing and nipping means it’s time to separate them.
Break Up Sight Lines
Bettas and angels are very territorial by nature. If one fish spots another from across the tank, it may provoke aggression. Break up their line of sight by using tall plants like hornwort and cabomba or hardscape decor like driftwood or rock formations.
This interrupts their view and provides visual barriers to give them both some peaceful alone time.
Add Plenty of Plants and Hiding Places
A tank crammed with decor makes both types of fish feel more secure. Live plants are ideal as they offer thick cover. Floating plants like hornwort or anacharis are great choices. Silk plants are an alternative to live ones.
Also be sure to include caves, tubes, and tunnels so they have retreats to duck into if feeling threatened. The more hiding spots, the better!
Use Tank Dividers If Needed
Sometimes bettas and angel fish just refuse to get along no matter what precautions are taken. Tank dividers are a handy solution to separate feuding fish while allowing them to remain in the same tank. Dividers with small holes allow water flow between compartments.
Materials like acrylic or mesh work well. Just be sure the divider is securely positioned so no fish can swim around it and access the other side. This enables everyone to have their own secure space.
Proper Feeding Methods and Schedule
When housing angel fish and bettas together, it’s crucial to utilize proper feeding techniques to reduce aggression over food. The key is to ensure all fish get adequate nutrition while minimizing competition.
Match Food to Fish Size
Bettas and angels vary greatly in size, so their dietary needs differ too. Young angels start tiny but grow over 6 inches long – they need substantial foods like flakes, pellets, frozen foods like brine shrimp or bloodworms, and even vegetables.
Bettas stay under 3 inches, needing smaller foods like betta pellets and flakes. Match foods to each fish’s mouth size to prevent choking hazards.
Spread Out Feeding Areas
Territorial disputes often erupt around prime feeding spots. Reduce this by scattering foods across the whole tank instead of one area. Strategically placing multiple feeding zones cuts down on food competition.
Floating betta pellets on one side while sinking angel flakes on the opposite side lets both fish eat stress-free. Adding leaf hammocks or tall plants as feeding posts offers more options too.
Feed Angels and Bettas Separately If Needed
If angels rapidly gobble up foods before bettas get their share, temporarily isolating the gluttons during feedings helps. Use tank dividers to separate fish, feed angels on one side and bettas on the other, then remove the barrier after 10-15 minutes.
This ensures everyone eats their fill without bullying.
Another tactic is training angels to feed from your hand – they learn to associate your hand with food rather than attacking tankmates. Through patience and persistence, angels can learn to peacefully accept foods from your fingers without disturbing other fish.
Tank Setup Tips for Angel and Betta Compatibility
Use Soft, Natural Decor
When housing angelfish and bettas together, it’s important to use soft, natural décor in the aquarium. Sharp decorations can damage long, flowing betta fins and the delicate finnage of angelfish. Opt for smooth stones, driftwood, and live or silk plants instead of rough rock formations or sharp plastic decorations.
The natural look also reduces stress by mimicking the species’ native habitats.
Add Dither Fish for Distraction
Another great tank setup tip is to add small, peaceful “dither” fish as tankmates. Species like neon tetras, rasboras, and corydoras catfish can help distract aggressive fish. With other targets in the tank, bettas and angelfish are less likely to fight each other.
Aim for at least 6 dither fish, and make sure any tankmates share similar water parameter needs as your angel and betta fish.
Maintain Proper Water Parameters
Ensuring proper, consistent water conditions gives angel and betta fish the best chance at cohabitation success. Both species thrive at a temperature around 76-82°F and in soft, acidic water with a pH between 6.0-7.0.
Use a liquid test kit, not test strips, to check levels for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, hardness, and pH at least weekly. Be prepared to change 10-25% of the water whenever ammonia or nitrites exceed 0.25 ppm or nitrates go over 20 ppm.
Keeping the environment clean and stable helps reduce aggression and stress.
| Water Parameter | Ideal Level |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 76-82°F |
| pH | 6.0-7.0 |
| Ammonia | 0 ppm |
| Nitrites | 0 ppm |
| Nitrates | Under 20 ppm |
By starting with a spacious tank and using soft decorations, adding dither fish, and maintaining excellent water quality, you can successfully house angel and betta fish together. With some strategic setup decisions and consistent care, these beautiful freshwater fish can coexist peacefully!
Conclusion
In closing, housing betta fish and angel fish together can work but requires careful planning and preparation. Focus on providing a spacious tank with areas for hiding and retreat, select peaceful tank mates, and be ready to separate fish if aggressive behavior arises.
With extra effort taken to curb territorial issues, your angel fish and betta may coexist happily for years to come. We hope this guide gave you the knowledge needed to make the right choices for your aquarium’s inhabitants and to create a thriving community tank environment.
