Everyone gets mistaken by thinking that bettas live in small places in the wild, so they can also live in small-size tanks, bowls, or even in a vase in captivity.
However, bettas are active swimmers and require plenty of space to live and swim comfortably. Therefore, when we keep them in captivity, we should know about the betta fish requirement regarding space needed, parameters, and conditions. So, How many betta fish in 5-gallon tank? Let us find out.
We should keep one betta fish in a 5-gallon tank, as adding more than one will overcrowd the tank. In addition, bettas require ample space to swim comfortably. Avoid keeping two male bettas in the same tank, as they are aggressive creatures and will fight until one passes away.
We will also discuss whether we can house more than one male betta together in a tank and what betta fish actually require to ensure their long lifespan in captivity.
Table of Contents
How many betta fish can live in a 5-gallon tank?
You can keep one betta fish in a 5-gallon tank.
Keeping more than one betta fish in a 5-gallon tank will result in overcrowding.
An overcrowded tank will make your betta fish come under stress, and they can suffer from critical issues.
Also, you must know that fish under stress for a long time will become vulnerable to various diseases and parasites.
An overcrowded tank will risk ammonia and nitrite poisoning because of excess fish waste and poor water conditions.
Bettas are creatures that prefer to live on their own.
Adding more than one betta will trigger aggressiveness and territorial behavior in them.
You can keep as many female bettas together as you want, as they are less aggressive and will live together.
However, consider providing each betta with a minimum tank size of 5 gallons to ensure their comfortable living.
Also read: How Many Betta Fish Can Live Together?
Can betta fish live comfortably in a 5-gallon tank?
A 5-gallon space is a minimum space your betta will require to live and swim comfortably.
When it comes to keeping fish in a tank, we should always follow the one-inch one-gallon rule.
The one-inch one-gallon rule means one inch of fish per gallon of water.
Bettas can reach up to the size of 3 inches, which means they will require three-gallon of space to live comfortably.
Some of the space in the tank will be acquired by plants, decors, and substrates.
So, considering all these things, we recommend you keep your betta in a minimum size of a 5-gallon tank.
Keeping them in a tank that is smaller than 5 gallons will not do justice to them, and they will not be able to live comfortably.
Living comfortably and surviving is a completely different things. Keeping betta in a small size tank will only ensure their survivability and not comfortable living.
Also read: Can Betta Fish Live In A Bowl?
Can we put two male bettas in a 5-gallon tank?
We should never keep two male bettas together in the same tank, no matter how big your tank is.
Bettas are aggressive creatures, and keeping two male bettas in the same tank will result in them fighting each other until one is dead.
Also, a five-gallon tank is enough for only one betta fish, and adding more than one betta in a 5-gallon tank will overcrowd their tank.
So, consider keeping only one male betta fish in your 5-gallon tank.
Can we keep one male and one female betta in a 5-gallon tank?
We never recommend keeping one male and one female betta in a 5-gallon tank.
Bettas are aggressive and territorial fish, which means that when keeping more than one fish in a small tank, they will fight each other to mark their territory.
Many owners keep them in a small tank to breed them, but this is not a wise choice.
Consider a 25-30 gallon tank to breed your betta fish, as it will give them more space, and they will rarely fight for their territory.
Add plenty of live aquatic plants and hiding spots to your betta tank to keep them safe from each other.
Also, it will help mimic their natural habitat, preventing stress.
You can prefer adding a divider in the middle of the tank to separate them and remove it only sometimes.
When your betta is stress-free and happy, it will likely breed.
Once your female betta lays the eggs, separate the female betta as it can eat them.
What do betta fish require in their tank?
To keep your betta fish healthy and happy, provide it with all these things:
- Provide your betta fish with good and clean water conditions.
- Add gravel to your betta fish tank.
- Add a heater to your betta fish tank.
- Add a good filtration system with media to your betta fish tank.
- Add plenty of live aquatic plants.
Good water conditions
Betta fish require clean water conditions to thrive.
Keeping your betta fish in a tank with poor water conditions will make them stressed and weak.
To ensure good water conditions, perform a weekly water change of at least 35% to keep the water clean.
Make sure to treat the water using a water conditioner to dechlorinate it.
We recommend using the API water conditioner to treat the water, as it will help you eliminate chlorine, chloramine, ammonia, nitrite, and heavy metals from the water.
You can buy this product on amazon:API TAP WATER CONDITIONER.
Also, Keep a regular check on ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, and maintain ammonia and nitrite at 0 ppm, whereas nitrate should be below 20 ppm.
We recommend using the API Freshwater Master Test Kit to check your fish tank’s ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH level, as it shows an accurate result.
You can buy it from amazon:API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT.
Add gravel
Add gravel as a substrate in your betta fish tank.
Betta fish will not inhale the gravel, eliminating the issue of betta fish eating on the substrate when feeding food from the bottom.
Also, gravel will help you eliminate some bacteria from the tank.
Add a heater
Betta fish require a well-heated tank to thrive as they live in warm waters in their natural habitat.
They are very sensitive when it comes to water temperature.
Adding a heater will ensure that your betta fish has adequate and stable water temperature.
We recommend using the Fluval M200 Submersible heater for your tank.
You can buy this product at amazon:Fluval M200 Submersible Heater.
Also read: What Is A Good Water Temperature For Betta Fish?
Add a filter
Adding a filter to your betta fish tank will prevent the tank from excess waste.
Also, a good filtration system with biofilter media will protect your betta fish tank from harmful toxins like ammonia and nitrite.
You can consider adding a Hygger Small Aquarium Bio Sponge Filter for your betta fish 5-gallon tank, as it will help you keep your betta fish tank super clean.
You can buy this product at amazon:HYGGER SMALL AQUARIUM BIO SPONGE FILTER.
Add live aquatic plants and hiding spots.
Adding live aquatic plants to your betta fish tank will help you mimic their natural habitat.
Also, your betta fish will enjoy swimming between the plants and will not get bored.
Adding plenty of live aquatic plants and hiding places will make your betta fish feel safe, and they will not be stressed out.
There are many options available when it comes to adding hiding places in your guppy fish tank, of which rock caves are good.
You can buy rock caves at amazon:Stackable Aquarium Decoration Rock Caves.
These are some of the best live aquatic plants you can consider adding to your betta fish tank:
- Anubias
- Water sprite
- Vallisneria
- Java fern
- Betta bulb
- Sword plant
Conclusion:
We always recommend keeping one betta fish per 5-gallon tank.
And if you are going to keep a male betta, then you have to keep only one, as two male bettas in the same tank will end up fighting each other.
Bettas are active swimmers and require ample space to live and swim comfortably.
Keeping them in a small size tank or an overcrowded tank will cause stress to them.
You can keep female bettas together as much as you want, but for that, also you have to provide each betta with a 5-gallon space to ensure their comfortable living.
Consider keeping your betta fish in a tank with plenty of live aquatic plants and hiding places to prevent stress and mimic their natural habitat.
Reference: College of Veterinary Medicine
