Male Betta Compatibility

There are problems with tank mates for fighting fish. Many bettas will not accept any tankmates at all, others are so laid back they can get bullied to death.

In general terms, you need to avoid brightly coloured fish, especially those with long tails. Male bettas are not that bright and they mistake these types of fish for other male bettas and attack them. The best tank mates are plain monochrome fish and those that live on the bottom of the tank - eg corydoras.

I think you will run into problems keeping a betta with colourful tank mates, especially if you choose fish like tetras or barbs as they are likely to nip a betta's fins.
Shrimp can be OK or the betta might decide to eat them. Crabs are a definite no - they are a no with any fish. Fish and crabs should not be mixed, there is the old saying that you shouldn't keep fins and claws together.



I would look for a different centrepiece fish, I'm afraid.