If you own a freshwater tank then you’ve probably thought about including betta fish in your tank community. These are among the most stunning aquarium fish in the world with elaborate fins and enticing colors. However, they are known to be quite territorial and so it is important to make sure that they have suitable tank mates who also require similar conditions.
Mollies are very popular freshwater fish that are relatively easy to take care of and so make a great starter fish for those just getting into fish keeping. But can betta live with mollies?
Betta fish and mollies make a great pair. But that’s not to say there aren’t risks involved. The mollies will not stress out your betta fish and they aren’t vibrant enough to cause problems with the betta becoming overly territorial. That said, there are a few things you will need to consider before introducing the two in your tank.
Mollies can grow larger than betta fish, by quite a considerable amount, so you will need to make sure that you have plenty of room for the animals. You will also need to think about the water conditions for both species and make sure that you find the perfect balance. Otherwise, it can be a risky business.
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Keeping Mollies With Betta Fish
When you decide to put any two types of fish together, there are a lot of things you need to think about and mollies and betta are no different. If anything, you should plan things even more carefully. While these two fish can live in perfect harmony, this can only happen when the right conditions are given. If you fail to provide these then you’re in for a bumpy ride.
One of the key things to remember when pairing these two species as tank mates is that they don’t need one another. Their pairing is more to do with you than anything else. Both of these species are quite happy to live on their own. In fact, most betta would probably prefer it but that’s unlikely in most home situations.
In order to understand their compatibility, we must first get to know each of the species. So let’s take a look at them both and get better acquainted.
The Betta Fish
There are many different varieties of betta fish but one thing that they all have in common are their beautiful fins and bright colors. These fish come from Asia and tend to be found in shallow, slow-moving waters, typically in streams but sometimes a pond environment.
What’s interesting is that, while these are sometimes known as the Siamese fighter fish, they are a very protective species when it comes to their own. The males will build bubble nests to ensure protection for the young, particularly during the night when these fish become less active.
One of the things that makes betta such an attractive species to aquarists is that they will form a bond with their owners. They will quickly learn to recognize them and may even show excitement when they see you approaching their tank. This is largely down to their curious nature which also gets the better of them when it comes to getting to know their tank mates.
However, this curiosity will often come out as aggression especially when the betta feels as though its territory is at risk. If another fish gets into their personal space, they’d better watch out because while beautiful, the betta can be vicious. This is because they like to have a lot of free space for swimming.
For this reason, it is evident that keeping the betta alone is the best option and they will always prefer this setup over anything else. In fact, depending on what you try to pair them with, things could actually get a little dangerous.
However, it is possible to keep them with other fish if you keep in mind that they need space and provide them with a larger tank. This way, your betta may not have any reason to show aggression.
The Molly
Mollies are also very attractive looking fish especially when they are young and their big eyes make a very prominent feature. Something that attracts fish keepers to them immediately. They come in a range of colors from almost transparent through to dark and mysterious.
The molly fish can be found in coastal brackish waters and freshwater streams and is very common around Mexico. However, they can also be found in some parts of the southern United States as well as parts of Central America.
While they are relatively healthy fish, the molly is prone to stress and this can result in a condition known as shimmies. It won’t kill them but stress is never good for fish and makes them more susceptible to other diseases. If you keep mollies with betta in too small a tank, there is a risk that they will be bullied and therefore stressed.
When keeping them on their own, mollies require at least a ten-gallon tank. But when they are kept with other fish, including betta, you will need to make sure that they have even more space. We would recommend at least 30 gallons, if not more.
These fish can live on their own but it is important to keep in mind that this means they don’t need to be with other species. They do, however, need company in the form of other mollies so make sure they’re kept in groups.
Things That Make Betta And Mollies Good Tank Mates
Keeping betta fish mollies together can be a great pairing and there are several reasons for this. If you’re keen to own both of these stunning species, you’ll be pleased to read the following points.
Water Conditions
Mollies are classed as freshwater fish but in the wild, they will thrive better in brackish waters. But what about the betta fish? In actual fact, these fish can survive quite well in brackish conditions so you could cater to both fish’s needs by adding a little aquarium salt.
When it comes to the pH of the water, it’s good news again since both fish require a neutral pH of around 7.0. The temperature of the water is also the same for both species and should remain between 72ºf and 80ºf.
Diet
Another thing that makes betta fish and mollies very compatible is the fact that they both have very similar dietary needs. Betta are carnivores and mollies are omnivores but they still eat a lot of the same foods so it can be much easier to source food that will meet both of their nutritional needs.
Generally, the mollie will eat a range of invertebrates alongside various plant life and algae. The betta’s diet is made up primarily from insects and larvae. There are many flake foods that cater to these needs. You might also consider using dried bloodworms.
Size
The betta fish and molly are similar in size although the molly will grow a little larger. But not by much. Typically speaking, a betta might get as big as 2 ¼ inches whereas the mollies in your tank could grow up to four inches. That said, some larger betta may reach three inches without a problem.
While they are similar sizes, we must reiterate that they need the room to freely swim around so be sure to get a good-sized tank before committing.
Problems With Keeping Betta And Mollies Together
One of the biggest problems with keeping betta and mollies together is the aggressive nature of the betta fish. They don’t call it a fighter fish for nothing! This is mostly down to them being so territorial and since the mollies might wander into certain areas of the tank where they are not welcome, fights might break out.
This is more common in tanks that are too small, so to avoid this, it’s back to that stressed point of finding a tank that is large enough to accommodate them both.
Mollies are pretty peaceful and are unlikely to cause any problems with other tank members so could become bullied by the betta if this is allowed.
Conclusion
Betta and mollies are both incredibly popular freshwater fish and while they each have different temperaments, it is possible to keep them together when the conditions are right. The main thing to make sure of is that the fish have plenty of room as the betta is wildly territoritorial and may attack if it feels as though its space is being threatened.
