Can bettas live with guppies?

No No, bettas and guppies should not live together.

  • Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like guppies, mistaking them for rivals.
  • Betta fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase guppies, which use the same area.

Side by side

Betta fishGuppy
Adult size6.5 cm (2.6 in)5 cm (2 in)
Temperature24–28°C (75–82°F)22–27°C (72–81°F)
pH6–87–8
Minimum tank5 gallons (19 L)10 gallons (38 L)
Group sizeAlone (only one male)3 or more
TemperamentSemi-aggressivePeaceful
Swims atTopTop

Shared range: 24–27°C (75–81°F), pH 7–8.

Better tank mates

Frequently asked questions

Can bettas live with guppies?

No. Betta fish tends to attack colourful, long-finned fish like guppies, mistaking them for rivals. Betta fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase guppies, which use the same area.

What temperature suits both bettas and guppies?

Keep the tank at 24–27°C (75–81°F), where both are comfortable.

Verdicts come from our compatibility rules and researched species data. Individual fish vary, so add new fish gradually and watch them closely. Check other pairs in the compatibility checker.