Can Bettas Live With Guppies? (Compatibility Guide)

Yes, bettas can live with guppies, but it’s not always a guaranteed success. The compatibility depends on your betta’s personality, the sex of both fish, tank size, and how you set things up. Some bettas are chill roommates while others turn into territorial nightmares.

Here’s the thing: bettas are known as “Siamese fighting fish” for a reason. They can mistake colorful male guppies for rival bettas and attack them. But with the right setup and fish combination, many people successfully keep these two species together.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly which combinations work best, what tank size you actually need, and how to set up your aquarium so everyone stays safe and happy.

Quick Answer: Can They Live Together?

Yes, IF you follow these rules:

• Use a minimum 10-gallon tank (15-20 gallons is better)
• Choose the right sex combination (female betta + female guppies works best)
• Avoid fancy guppies with long, colorful fins
• Provide lots of hiding spots and plants
• Monitor closely for the first few weeks

Avoid these combinations:

• Male betta + male fancy guppies (recipe for disaster)
• Any combo in tanks smaller than 10 gallons
• Putting them together if your betta is already super aggressive

Red flag warning: If your betta constantly flares at his own reflection or attacks everything that moves, he’s not a good candidate for tank mates.

Why Some Bettas Attack Guppies (And Some Don’t)

Bettas have what I call “mistaken identity” issues.

Male guppies, especially fancy ones, have long flowing tails and bright colors. Your betta sees this and thinks “intruder on my turf!” The betta’s brain basically goes: colorful fish + long fins = rival male = must attack.

But personality matters way more than you’d think. I’ve seen super laid-back bettas completely ignore guppies, while others go into attack mode the second anything moves.

Female bettas are generally less aggressive than males. They’re more likely to coexist peacefully, though some females can still be feisty little bullies.

If Betta piqued your interest, this article will take you even further. Can Bettas Live With Shrimp?

Best Betta and Guppy Combinations

Female Betta + Female Guppies

This is your safest bet.

Female bettas are typically calm and won’t see female guppies as threats. Female guppies have shorter fins and duller colors, so they don’t trigger that “rival betta” response.

Just make sure you’re actually getting females. Some pet stores mislabel young males as females.

Female Betta + Male Guppies (Feeder Guppies Only)

This can work if you use feeder guppies instead of fancy ones.

Feeder guppies have shorter fins and less vibrant colors. Male guppies might try to mate with your female betta (awkward), but she’ll usually just swim away or give them a quick nip to say “not interested.”

Watch out though: male guppies can get nippy when competing for females, even if those females are actually a betta.

Male Betta + Female Guppies

Possible, but risky.

If your male betta is naturally calm, female guppies might work. Their short fins and plain colors are less likely to trigger aggression.

But here’s the catch: even female guppies can be fin nippers. If they nibble your betta’s beautiful flowing fins, he’ll retaliate. And when a betta fights back, the guppy loses.

Male Betta + Male Fancy Guppies

Don’t do this.

This is the worst combination possible. Male fancy guppies have long, colorful fins that scream “I’m a rival betta!” to your male betta.

The result? Your betta will chase, stress, and likely kill the guppies. I’ve read horror stories of people waking up to shredded guppies or a stressed-out betta who won’t stop attacking.

One person on a forum described their tank after trying this combo, and I won’t go into details, but let’s just say it ended with all the fish dead within two days.

Tank Size: Bigger Is Always Better

A 10-gallon tank is the absolute minimum for one betta and 3-4 guppies.

But honestly? Go for 15-20 gallons if you can.

Bettas need space to claim their territory. Guppies need room to school and escape if your betta gets moody. In a cramped tank, there’s nowhere to hide and stress levels skyrocket.

Here’s a simple formula: start with 10 gallons for one betta and three guppies. Add 5 gallons for every additional three guppies.

So if you want six guppies with your betta, you’re looking at a 15-gallon tank minimum.

Hungry for knowledge about Betta? We’ve got you covered in this article. Can Bettas Live With Neon Tetras?

Setting Up Your Tank For Success

Plant It Like Crazy

Live plants are your best friend here.

Java fern, java moss, hornwort, and guppy grass all work great. They create hiding spots, break up sight lines, and give stressed fish somewhere to escape.

Plus, bettas love resting on broad leaves. Your guppies will appreciate the cover too.

Aim for enough plants that you can’t see from one end of the tank to the other. This might sound excessive, but it prevents constant confrontations.

Add Hiding Spots

Caves, driftwood, and decorations give everyone their own space.

Your betta will claim one area as “his.” The guppies will hang out elsewhere. If someone gets chased, they need somewhere to duck into quickly.

Avoid decorations with sharp edges that could tear fins. Smooth caves and rounded driftwood are perfect.

Keep Water Parameters Stable

Both bettas and guppies are tropical fish with similar needs.

• Temperature: 78-80°F is ideal. You’ll need a heater.
• pH: 6.8-7.8 works for both species. Aim for around 7.0 if possible.
• Water changes: Do 25-30% weekly to keep ammonia and nitrites at zero.

Guppies can tolerate a wider range (74-82°F), but bettas prefer the warmer end. Stick with 78-80°F and everyone’s happy.

How To Introduce Them (Step-By-Step)

Step 1: Set up your tank and let it cycle for 3-4 weeks before adding any fish.

Step 2: Add your guppies first. Let them settle in for a week and establish their territory.

Step 3: Rearrange decorations and plants before adding the betta. This prevents the betta from thinking “this is MY tank and you’re invading.”

Step 4: Add the betta last. This way, he’s the newcomer and less likely to be territorial.

Step 5: Watch closely for the first 48 hours. Some chasing is normal, but if your betta won’t stop attacking, you need to separate them immediately.

Step 6: Have a backup plan. Keep a spare tank, bowl, or divider ready in case things go wrong.

Some bettas chill out after a few days once they realize the guppies aren’t a threat. Others never adjust.

If Betta piqued your interest, this article will take you even further. These 12 Fish Can Actually Live with Bettas Without the Drama

Feeding Time: Avoid Food Wars

Guppies are greedy little speed demons.

They’ll zoom to the surface and gobble up everything before your betta even realizes it’s mealtime. Bettas eat slowly and prefer to graze.

Here’s how to fix this:

Feed your guppies on one side of the tank. While they’re distracted, drop your betta’s food on the opposite side.

Use pellets instead of flakes. Pellets float longer, giving your betta time to eat. Flakes sink too fast and get wasted.

Feed 2-3 times daily in small amounts. This gives your slower-eating betta multiple chances to get his fill.

Bettas need high-protein, meat-based food. Guppies are omnivores and need both meat and veggies. You can feed them the same food, but make sure your betta gets enough protein.

What NOT To Do (Common Mistakes)

Don’t Use Tiny Tanks

A 5-gallon tank is too small for this combo, no matter what anyone tells you.

Both species need swimming room. In a cramped space, aggression goes through the roof. Your betta will be stressed, your guppies will be terrorized, and you’ll end up with dead or injured fish.

Don’t Mix Male Bettas With Fancy Guppies

I can’t stress this enough. Fancy guppies = dead guppies when housed with male bettas.

Their long, colorful fins make them look like rival bettas. Your betta’s instinct is to attack and eliminate the competition.

If you already made this mistake, separate them NOW. Before someone gets killed.

Don’t Ignore Early Warning Signs

A little chasing at first? Normal.

Constant harassment, torn fins, or fish hiding 24/7? Not normal.

If your betta won’t leave the guppies alone after a few days, or if the guppies are nipping your betta’s fins, you need to separate them. Some personalities just don’t work together.

Don’t Skip The Backup Plan

Always have a plan B.

Keep a spare tank, large bowl, or tank divider on hand. If things go south, you need to separate them immediately—not “tomorrow when the store opens.”

Fish can die from stress in hours, not days.

Want the inside track on Betta? This post is your go-to guide. Can Bettas and Snails Get Along? The Experts Weigh In

When Things Go Wrong

Sometimes it just doesn’t work out, and that’s okay.

Signs your betta is too aggressive:

• Constantly chasing guppies
• Flaring and attacking whenever he sees them
• Guppies have torn or missing fins
• Guppies spend all their time hiding
• Your betta won’t eat because he’s too busy patrolling

Signs your guppies are the problem:

• They’re nipping your betta’s fins
• Your betta is hiding and won’t come out
• Your betta’s fins look shredded or damaged
• Your betta has lost his color or looks stressed

If any of this happens, separate them. You can try reintroducing them after rearranging the tank, but some fish just aren’t compatible.

Can Bettas Eat Guppy Babies?

Yes, absolutely.

If your guppies breed (and they will), your betta will see the babies as snacks. Guppies are livebearers and can pop out 20-60 fry every month.

Unless you want to raise guppy fry separately, expect your betta to thin the population. Some fry might survive if you have tons of plants, but most won’t.

Better Alternatives If This Doesn’t Work

Not every betta is cut out for community life.

If yours won’t get along with guppies, try these instead:

• Mystery snails – Peaceful algae eaters with hard shells. Bettas usually ignore them.
• Nerite snails – Same deal, plus they’re great at cleaning algae.
• Corydoras catfish – Bottom dwellers that stay out of your betta’s way.
• Kuhli loaches – Shy, peaceful, and they hide most of the day.
• Harlequin rasboras – Small, peaceful schooling fish without fancy fins.

Or just keep your betta solo in a well-planted 5-10 gallon tank. Some bettas are happiest as only children.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep a male betta with guppies in a 5-gallon tank?

No. A 5-gallon is too small for this combination. You need at least 10 gallons, and bigger is always better. In a small tank, there’s nowhere for the guppies to escape if your betta gets aggressive.

Will my betta kill all my guppies?

It depends on the betta. Some bettas completely ignore guppies. Others will chase and attack them until they’re dead or severely stressed. Male fancy guppies are at the highest risk because their fins look like another betta.

Expand your understanding of Betta—click here to uncover more! Betta Fish Bloated: Is It Constipation, Dropsy, or Overfeeding?

Do female bettas get along better with guppies?

Yes, generally. Female bettas are usually less aggressive than males, making them better candidates for community tanks. But every fish has a unique personality—some females can still be bullies.

How do I know if my betta is too aggressive for tank mates?

Watch how he reacts to his own reflection. If he constantly flares, attacks the glass, or seems super territorial even when alone, he’s probably not a good fit for tank mates. Calm bettas will mostly ignore their reflection after a few seconds.

Can guppies and bettas eat the same food?

Sort of. Bettas need high-protein, meat-based pellets. Guppies are omnivores and need both meat and plant matter. You can feed them both the same pellets, but make sure your betta gets enough protein. Guppies will eat anything, including betta food.

Final Thoughts

Keeping bettas and guppies together is totally possible, but it’s not foolproof.

You need the right combination (female betta + female guppies works best), a big enough tank (15-20 gallons is ideal), lots of plants and hiding spots, and a calm-tempered betta.

Watch them closely for the first few weeks. Some chasing is normal as they figure out the pecking order. But if your betta won’t stop attacking or your guppies are constantly stressed and hiding, separate them immediately.

Have a backup plan ready before you even start. Not every betta is meant for community life, and that’s perfectly fine.

Good luck with your tank!