Many people are wondering can Betta Fish live with Glofish? The answer to this question is YES. Glofish and Bettas can be kept together but… There is always “but”. Only certain Glofish species can be tank mates with a Betta. Those are Glofish Danios and Glofish Tetras and in rare cases Glofish sharks.
In this article:
Water Conditions for Glofish and Bettas
We will point out some features and water conditions for each species of Glofish and their compatibility with a Betta.
Glofish Danios should be kept in a 10-gallon tank minimum. Their life span is up to two years. They grow in length up to 2.5 inches. They like a bit cooler water between 65 and 78 degrees with a pH of the water between 6.5 and 7.2. The water conditions are compatible because Bettas like their water between 76 and 82 degrees so if you keep it at Bettas lower border at 76 degrees and Glofish Danios top border 78 degrees both fish will be satisfied. For Bettas, the pH of the water should be 7,00 and that is the ideal middle for Glofish Danios as well.
Water perimeters for Glofish Tetras are similar to Bettas. They like their water warm from 70 to 85 degrees which is a wide range. The pH of the water should be between 6.0 to 7.5 so Bettas 7.0 fit this scale. So, these two kids are compatible too.
When it comes to Glofish sharks they can be compatible as long as they have enough space so big tanks are the key for these two to coexist. Even if it comes to a conflict, Glofish sharks rarely bite other fish, they just tend to chase fish out of their territory. As far as water temperature it should be in the range of 75 and 81 degrees which is almost the same as with Bettas, a degree more or less. The pH of the water for Glofish should be between 6.5 and 7,5 and for Bettas is 7,0 so it is the ideal middle.
Glofish Behavior – Do they get along with Bettas?
Glofish Danios are peaceful fish when kept in groups. The recommended number is six and more. They occasionally chase and fight among the group, rarely with other fish. They are famous for being fast swimmers but also fin nippers.
Glofish Tetras are on the other hand peaceful and slow swimmers and hardly they will nip or harass Bettas. They also go in schools of five and more. They mostly keep to themselves and are the most recommendable fish for a community tank. They grow a bit longer than Glofish Danios and that is from 2.5 to3.0 inches long, and they can live 3 to 5 years.
Glofish Sharks are peaceful and rarely bite other fish, they just tend to chase fish away. So, they can share a tank with Bettas as long as each has its own territory. This isn’t that hard because Glofish Sharks occupy the bottom while Bettas keep the surface of the tank. If you have a big tank of 30 gallons or more, they could coexist. Glofish Sharks grow up to 6 inches and live longer than other species of Glofish, 5 to 6 years.
Can Glofish Eat Betta Food?
Glofish are omnivores and in general, they are able to eat Bettas food but not for long. Their digestive system is slow compared to Bettas which require a high number of proteins in their diet. Glofish require a balanced diet. It is recommended to feed them both live and frozen food. The most recommendable food for Glofish is: brine shrimp, flake food, bloodworms, frozen food, pellets, veggies, meaty food and live daphnia. The best is you feed it twice a day. If you do not want to overfeed it just follow the 2 minutes consumption rule, that is the amount Glofish can eat in 2 minutes. And the same as Bettas, they can last without food for two weeks.
How to Choose Glofish?
If you have decided to buy a Glofish this is what you need to know. First, find a reputable pet store. Check the tank where fish are kept, if it is clean, has no dead fish and bad smell. Then look for fish that appear bright under normal light and fluorescence brilliantly under blue light. They come in fluorescent vibrant colors such as red, green, blue, orange, purple and pink. They inherit vibrant color from their parents and pass them on to the next generation.
How Many Glofish Can I Keep With My Betta?
The most important thing when it comes to Glofish and Bettas as tank mates is tank size. The tank should be not less than 30 gallons, preferably 50 and more. When it comes to the number of Glofish they should be kept in school of at least five-six and more, that way they will be focused on establishing their hierarchy chasing each other and the possibility of conflicts with a Betta will be reduced to a minimum. You should put Glofish first, allow them to adjust, and after a while add a Betta. That way you will avoid Betta`s defending territory. It is also advisable to add a female Betta to your tank because they tend to be less aggressive than males.
Can Betta Fish Live With Glofish? Final Thoughts
To sum up, you can keep a Betta and Glofish in the same tank and in most cases, they will be great tank mates. Keep in mind that only several species of Glofish can be tank mates to a Betta. Pay attention to everything mentioned above and no trouble will arise.
Introduce a female Betta as they are less aggressive than males. Keep Glofish in the school of at least six so they are turned to themselves. Arrange the tank with a lot of hiding places and leave a lot of space. Glofish will occupy the bottom of the tank and Betta will stay around the top so they won’t bother each other. Provide a balanced diet for both fish to stay healthy and grow.
Provide water temperature between 78 and 80 degrees with a pH of the water at 7.0 which is suitable for both species.
If you have read all the information provided, you are ready to try forming a community with a Betta and Glofish school.
Recommended reading: Can Neon Tetras and Betta Fish Live Together?