Betta fish are notorious for getting violent when it comes to protecting their territory. You can’t keep two male bettas together, but is it possible to keep a betta with platies?
The quick answer is yes, you can if you introduce them properly!
Today, we discuss the steps and requirements for keeping platies and bettas together. If you follow our tips, you could have a healthy community tank with a fun fish dynamic.
Let’s get to it!
Are Platies Compatible With Bettas?
In general, platies can live with bettas in one tank. They’re both tropical fish that have similar living requirements.
It’s way better to keep a betta in a community tank than to have it alone in a tiny fish bowl. Your betta won’t get bored if it has a variety of companions.
Platies are a great tank mate option because they can swim faster than a betta. It’ll be hard for your betta to catch them.
There may be a few exceptions to this rule. However, there are a few tricks to help platies and bettas get along.
Platy and Betta Color Compatibility
Betta fish attack fish with bright colors and long fins. It triggers their aggression response.
Go for the dullest color for your platyfish. If this isn’t possible, pick a color different from the betta fish.
An article by Medium says that a betta fish is more likely to fight fish of the same color as itself. In short, there’s a higher chance that an orange betta will attack orange platies over blue ones.
How Do You Setup a Tank for Bettas and Platies?
Here’s how to set up a tank with ideal conditions for platies and bettas!
1 – Tank and Population Size
Platies and bettas both like to hang out at the surface. This could be an issue because your betta might claim the top of the tank as its territory.
As such, your tank should be wide enough that seven fish don’t have to come near each other. One male betta can live with up to ten platies in a standard-sized ten-gallon tank.
Note that there should only be one male platy and one male betta in the community tank.
Avoid placing a female betta together with a male betta as well. There’s a high chance they’ll become aggressive towards each other!
2 – Water Parameters
Betta fish can live in water with pH 6.5 to 8, while platies need water with pH 7 to 8. Ensure that you keep your water’s pH in the comfortable range for both species.
The good news is you won’t have any problems with differences in ideal temperatures. Both fish need a water temperature of 72°F to 82°F.
3 – Hiding Places
Platies love it when their tank has hiding places like plants, rocks, and wood. It’ll give them a safe place from the betta fish.
However, pick decor without sharp edges as these can tear the delicate fins of a betta fish!
You may opt to use edible aquatic plants as your decor. Platies are omnivores, so they’ll appreciate a variety in their diet.
What’s the Best Way to Introduce Bettas to Platies?
A good tip is to put the platyfish into the tank before the betta fish. This prevents the betta from establishing its territory on the surface of the tank.
When it’s time to introduce the betta, place it in a breeder box at the top of the tank. It’ll flare up and try to attack the other fish.
Wait for the betta to calm down before releasing it from the breeder box. You may distract the other fish with sinking food as well.
Closely watch the fish for signs of aggression before leaving them alone.
Can Betta Fish Eat Platies?
Betta fish can’t chase adult platies but they can eat platy fry!
Platies multiply at a rapid rate. A female can give birth to 10 to 40 fry each month.
Female platies are constantly pregnant, and it can lead to an overcrowded tank. You don’t want overcrowding to happen since it could lead to diseases.
Because of this, some people think juvenile platies are the perfect live food for betta fish. Feeding your platies to your betta can have the following perks:
- It controls the platy population.
- Platy fries are a great source of protein for the betta.
- Chasing juvenile platies can become an enrichment activity for your betta.
However, if you don’t want them to get eaten, you may separate pregnant platies from the other fish. You can also avoid buying a male platyfish so they can’t reproduce!
Can Platies Eat Betta Food?
Yes! Bettas are carnivores, and platies are omnivores. This means that platies can eat betta food without any issues.
You may feed them both insects and brine shrimp. Although, the best diet for betta fish is still their specially formulated pellets.
On the other hand, your platies will need a source of greens on top of the betta food. They can’t live on proteins alone.
You must occasionally give your platies algae, cucumber, squash, or even spinach.
To successfully integrate bettas and platyfish in the same tank, make sure you feed them both right!
A Feeding Issue You May Encounter
If there’s ever a time for platies to become aggressive, it’ll be during meal times.
Because they swim so fast, platies can consume all the food before your betta can get a bite. It’s necessary to watch them during feeding time to ensure that the betta has had its share.
A good trick is to place food at the far end of your aquarium for the platyfish. This’ll distract them long enough so you can put food above your betta.
What Other Problems Should You Watch Out For?
Always monitor your tank for signs of trouble. Here are some of the signs that your bettas and platies aren’t getting along.
Fin Nipping and Fin Rot
Fin nipping is when fish may bite each other’s fins and cause them to discolor. It’s a sign that the living conditions in the tank aren’t favorable.
Self-inflicted nipping also occurs because of bullying or poor water conditions.
Excessive Flaring
Your betta shouldn’t be flaring up whenever a platyfish swims past it.
Constant flaring could stress a betta fish. You might want to consider separating it from the community tank.
Final Thoughts
Platies and bettas are beautiful fish that you can keep together. All you have to do is follow the right population and tank size.
Of course, you should meet the dietary requirements of both species and look out for signs of fighting. Selecting the right colors and introducing them properly helps as well.
Once you follow all these tips, you can enjoy a community tank with a lively group of inhabitants!
Jeff has always enjoyed having pets, but as a child, he was drawn to his family’s fish tank. Being able to maintain a small ecosystem and observe the behaviors and interactions in the underwater world peaked his interest early on and has kept him hooked until this day. On Avid Aquarist, Jeff shares everything he’s learned about helping aquatic life survive and thrive in a home aquarium.