Can Bettas Live With Guppies?
Edited by Ivan F.
Short answer
No
No, not fancy guppies. Their long, bright tails make them look like a rival, so a male betta is likely to attack them.
A betta reacts to shape and fins as much as to its own kind, and a fancy guppy has the flowing, colorful tail that sets off that response. The guppy is also a slow swimmer with fins that are easy to catch. Guides that allow any guppy at all point to plain-tailed females, which is not the fish on this page.
How they compare
Figures come from our species pages. Shared ranges are where both animals are comfortable.
Betta and Fancy Guppy
- Adult size
- Betta: 2.8 in (7 cm)
- Fancy Guppy: 2.4 in (6 cm)
- Minimum tank
- Betta: 11 US gal (41 L)
- Fancy Guppy: 11 US gal (41 L)
- Temperature
- Betta: 72–86°F (22–30°C)
- Fancy Guppy: 63–82°F (17–28°C)
- pH
- Betta: 6–8
- Fancy Guppy: 7–8.5
- Hardness
- Betta: 1–15 dGH
- Fancy Guppy: 8–30 dGH
- Temperament
- Betta: Territorial/Aggressive
- Fancy Guppy: Peaceful
- Swim zone
- Betta: Top
- Fancy Guppy: Top
Shared by both
Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH: 7–8
Hardness: 8–15 dGH
Largest species minimum
11 US gallons (41 L), from Betta. This is a starting point, not a stocking plan.
What to watch for
- Male fancy guppies are the worst match, because their tails look most like a rival betta's.
- Plain female guppies are safer but still carry real risk with a male betta, so have a separate tank ready.
- Guppies eat fast and can leave a betta short of food, so make sure the betta gets its share.
- Any guppy fry in the tank are likely to be eaten.
Tank setup
Gear for the largest setup on this page
The essentials for a small, gently filtered tank.
Tank size for the largest species (Betta)
At least 11 US gallons (41 L)
Filter
Air-driven sponge filter
Gentle flow that small fish and long fins can handle, plus a safe home for good bacteria.
Aquarium Co-Op Coarse Sponge Filter (Small) US
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter US
Tetra Brillant Filter Spain
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 10-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Heater
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 25 W at 5 gallons, 50 W at 10
Keeps a small tank stable. Adjustable models let you set the temperature your species needs. Size up for a cold room.
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater US
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 50 W US
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater Spain
Eheim Thermocontrol e 50 Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 10-Gallon Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water Conditioner
Dechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Maker's page · Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test Kit
Liquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
Maker's page · Sold at The Shrimp Farm · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
Frequently asked questions
Are female guppies safe with a betta?
They are the lower-risk choice because their tails are short and plain, but a male betta may still chase or attack them. A female betta with female guppies is the mildest version of this mix, and it still needs close watching.
Why does a betta attack guppies?
Long, colorful fins can read as another male betta, so the betta treats the guppy as a rival in its territory.