Can Goldfish and Betta Fish Be Kept Together? 10 Great Facts will tell if you can do so.Betta fish are one of the most popular and hardy fish you can keep as a pet. They’re also great for beginners, because they require very little care to thrive in your home aquarium. But are they compatible with Goldfish?
Many hobbyists love keeping goldfish in their tanks with their bettas, but others say that this is a bad idea. So, which is it? Let’s take a look at the real answer to keeping these two types of fish together.
Goldfish And Betta Fish Have Different Temperature Needs
The temperature of the water is a big part of this equation. Both goldfish and Betta fish have different temperature needs, so if you’re thinking about keeping them together this is a big disadvantage.
Bettas are tropical fish and need warmer water than goldfish. Goldfish, on the other hand, thrive in cooler temperatures. This has a direct impact on the metabolism of the fish and survival also.
Goldfish cannot survive in warmer temperatures and bettas can die in cooler waters.
Bettas Are Aggressive
It’s important to know that bettas are aggressive, especially when it comes to their territory and other fish.
So, if you’re thinking about getting a betta as a pet, make sure you have plenty of time to dedicate to the care of this creature.
Bettas can attack goldfish for no reason, and this can cause injury to the fish. Bettas are aggressive by nature, so they should not be kept with other fish.
If you have a betta and want to keep it with other fish in your tank, you will need to make sure that they are compatible tankmates.
Goldfish And Bettas Have Different Dietary Needs
Goldfish and Bettas have different dietary needs. First, it’s important to understand the dietary needs of both species. Goldfish need less protein and more carbohydrate. Betta needs high protein.
This means that if the goldfish eat betta food, it can upset their digestive system. This can affect their health and their longevity.
Therefore, it is not recommended to keep these fish together as they won’t be getting the proper food needed for their individual needs.
Filter Requirements Are Different
Betta fish are beautiful, but they do best when kept alone. They are also extremely sensitive to the water flow, so they need a soft filter which is not forceful.
Goldfish on the other hand need a very effective filter that is powerful enough to keep waste from building up in the tank.
This is not a minor aspect that it cannot be ignored.
In most cases, keeping the betta in the goldfish will kill the betta due to the sheer force of the filter which can stress the betta.
Bettas are Carnivores
Can Goldfish And Betta Fish Be Kept Together?
Bettas are essentially carnivores and will happily attack small goldfish and eat them too. They can be kept with other fish but only if they are large enough not to be eaten by the betta.
The best option is to keep bettas with other fish that have no interest in eating them, or you could house them in separate tanks if you want to keep them together.
However, some people keep their Bettas in tanks with goldfish or other small fish. This is not recommended.
It’s not unheard of for a betta to even attack a full-grown goldfish.
Because of this, it’s best not to keep these two types of fish in the same tank. Goldfish and bettas are therefore not ideal tank mates.
Goldfish Are Fin Nippers
Goldfish are fin nippers. This can be a problem if you have a betta fish in the tank with them.
Bettas have long flowing fins, and the goldfish may try to nip at these fins. Betta’s will also nip at the fins of the goldfish if they feel threatened or want more food items.
Fin nipping can cause injury and fin rot and lead to infections and other health complications which even prove fatal.
Large Goldfish Can Swallow Betta Fish
Large goldfish can actually swallow a betta fish and can even choke on them. They have the capacity to eat them whole, so it’s best to keep them in separate tanks.
This is why it’s important to get to know your fish before making any decisions about what tank mates are right for them.
Although it might be tempting to put a betta in with your goldfish, it’s actually not a good idea. Betta fish are very colorful and attractive, and their movement is also fast.
This makes the goldfish chase the betta. Since they are omnivore, goldfish won’t hesitate to actually swallow them. In the process they may choke which is dependent on the size of the fish.
Bettas Need Slow Moving Waters
Bettas were originally found in paddy fields which are still waters. On the other hand, goldfish are river dwellers.
Hence the water flow required by each of them is different. Goldfish need a constant flow of water to keep their gills healthy.
This is because the oxygen levels in stagnant water tend to drop, which makes it difficult for them to breathe.
On the other hand, betta fish do not need a lot of water movement because they are used to living in still waters.
Goldfish Increase Ammonia Quickly
Goldfish and Betta fish are two of the most popular aquarium fish. While they can look like they would be a great pair, they actually make a terrible match.
Goldfish eat a lot and produce a lot of waste. Thus, the ammonia builds up fast in their tanks.
Betta needs clean water and ammonia can kill the betta. As a result, they cannot be kept together.
Tank Requirements Are Different
Goldfish and betta have different tank requirements such as substrate, plants etc. Therefore, it is not advisable to keep them together in the same tank.
Bettas need a warmer temperature, and it needs to be maintained by a heater. Goldfish on the other hand cannot withstand the effects of the heater.
Goldfish are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and meaty foods. They will eat plants that are not in their tank, so goldfish do not let the plants in the tank survive.
Goldfish also like to dig around in the substrate, so they need a substrate which is not toxic to them.
Bettas can get affected when the goldfish dig the substrate and dirty the water by making it murky. This is because bettas are easily susceptible to infection.
Conclusion
As you can see, it is not advisable to keep both fish in the same tank. Goldfish and Bettas have different needs and will require different tanks.
Goldfish and betta fish should not be kept together, as they have different needs and requirements. They are by nature not compatible as both are fin nippers.
Bettas can attack goldfish while goldfish can swallow the bettas. So, if you want to have both fish lead a healthy and happy life, keep them in different tanks or choose to have a single tank with either of the two.
