Can a Girl Japanese Fighting Fish Be in the Same Tank as a Boy Fighting Fish?

While sometimes called the Japanese fighting fish, bettas actually come from Thailand, formerly Siam. Like their name, confusion also surrounds their temperament. Bettas can get very aggressive sometimes. However, this aggression tends to get directed very specifically.

  1. Male Bettas

    • In general, only male bettas display aggression. These fish have been selectively bred for both color and a fighting temper. In Thailand, male bettas are often pitted against each other for sport. However, male bettas usually only fight other male bettas. In general, bettas will not bother other fish, except for those that resemble male bettas in some ways.

    Female Bettas

    • In most varieties of bettas, females have drabber colors and shorter fins than their male counterparts. Additionally, female bettas have a much milder temperament. Unlike males of the species, female bettas almost never fight. Female bettas can live together in groups in aquariums with no incident. They will establish a pecking order, but this does not usually result in any fighting of consequence.

    Males and Females

    • Male and female bettas will usually get along in an aquarium. However, some males are more aggressive than the average betta, so always keep an eye out for aggression in this kind of arrangement. Additionally, when bettas get ready to breed, males may start to get aggressive towards females. Specifically, male bettas may chase and harass female bettas that are unwilling to spawn. If you see a male betta chasing a female around the tank, you may have to separate the fish to ensure the female's safety.

    Other Species

    • While most bettas in pet shops belong to a single species, Betta splendens, other species of bettas exist and show up in the aquarium trade on occasion. These fish can have radically different personalities than the common betta. For example, B. imbellis can live in groups without any major fights under aquarium conditions. However, always research a species before you bring it home, since some other bettas give B. splendens a run for its money in terms of aggression.