Can Betta Fish Live With Goldfish? (Both Fish Will Die!)

The idea of keeping betta fish and goldfish in the same aquarium has become quite popular in the past few years and for good reason. What is this whole thing really, can betta fish live with goldfish?

The answer to your question can be defined as follows: it really depends on the setup and how you intend to take care of your fish.

Betta fish are Labyrinth fish, which means that they have a special organ that allows them to breathe air directly from the surface. This is different from other types of fish that get their oxygen from the water itself. Therefore, bettas need to have access to the surface in order to breathe properly.

Goldfish, on the other hand, are submersible fish, meaning they get their oxygen from the water itself. So long as there is enough dissolved oxygen in the water, goldfish will be just fine.

With that said, it is possible to keep betta fish and goldfish together in the same aquarium, but there are a few things you need to take into consideration first.

The first thing you need to do is make sure that your aquarium is large enough to accommodate both fish. Betta fish require at least 2.5 gallons of water, so anything less than that is not going to be suitable. Goldfish, on the other hand, can do well in a variety of different-sized aquariums.

The next thing you need to take into consideration is the water temperature. Betta fish prefer water that is between 76 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit, while goldfish prefer water that is a bit cooler, between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

This means that you will need to use a heater to keep the water at the correct temperature for both fish.

The last thing you need to take into consideration is the water quality. Betta fish are very sensitive to changes in water quality and goldfish produce a lot of waste, so you will need to make sure that your filtration system is up to the task.

If you can provide all of these things, then yes, you can keep betta fish and goldfish together in the same aquarium. Just make sure that you do your research beforehand and set everything up correctly.

Dear visitor let’s take a closer look at how betta and goldfish can live together. If kept together, there are some things to watch out for, and potential dangers that we will reveal to you today.

Can Betta Fish Live With Goldfish?

This is a question that needs a lot of research before it can be answered. Because I don’t want any wrong information to kill your favorite fish in the aquarium.

There is much controversy about whether Betta fish can live with goldfish. Today I will publish the information of organizations that research fish to eliminate such disputes.

Institute of Fish Research of China (IFCR) is a national fish research institution in China that has been engaged in basic and applied research on fisheries science for over 50 years.

According to IFCR, Betta fish and goldfish can not only live together but also reproduce normally. However, the fry needs to be carefully protected from being eaten by adults, as they are very small and delicate.

The fry needs to be kept in a separate tank for at least two months before being reintroduced into the main tank. IFCR also recommends that the ratio of male to female Betta fish should be 3:1 to avoid aggression.

Forbes magazine is a leading source for reliable business news and financial information. They have an article written by Dr. Rebecca Wilkin, a veterinarian with a special interest in aquarium fish.

According to Dr. Wilkin, Betta fish can live with goldfish, but they need to be in a very large tank (at least 50 gallons) and there should be more goldfish than Betta fish. The reason for this is that goldfish produce a lot of waste and Betta fish are very sensitive to water quality.

The article also states that Betta fish are territorial and may become aggressive towards goldfish, so it’s important to have plenty of hiding places for the goldfish.

Animal Planet is a website that is dedicated to providing animal lovers with information on all aspects of animal care. They have an article written by Dr. Mark Dvornak, a veterinarian with a special interest in fish health.

He discusses the care of betta fish and goldfish. He states that it is possible for these two species to live together, but there are some things to consider before making this decision.

The first thing to consider is the size of your tank. Betta fish need at least 2.5 gallons of water, while goldfish need at least 10 gallons. If you do not have a tank that is large enough to accommodate both fish, then it is best to choose one or the other.

Another thing to consider is the temperature of the water. Betta fish prefer water that is around 78 degrees Fahrenheit, while goldfish prefer water that is around 68 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water in your tank is not the correct temperature for both fish, then one of them will be uncomfortable.

The last thing to consider is the diet of each fish. Betta fish are carnivores and prefer live food, such as insects or small fish. Goldfish are omnivores and will eat just about anything, including plants. If you are not sure what to feed your fish, it is best to consult with a veterinarian or an experienced fish keeper.

With proper care, betta fish and goldfish can live together peacefully in the same tank. Just be sure to consider the size of your tank, the temperature of the water, and the diet of each fish before making your decision.

Betta Fish vs. Goldfish: Everything you should know

Now you may be unsure about whether to keep goldfish with your betta fish. In the above paragraph, I have answered your question with proof.

But if you want to know about both betta and goldfish separately, you need to pay more attention to this part. Betta Fish Vs Goldfish Keep an eye out here to find out who is really better for you.

Comparison	Betta Fish	Goldfish
Diet	Predominantly carnivorous	Omnivorous
Water Temperature	78°F and 80°F	65°F and 75°F
Behavior	Shy/Aggressive	Friendly/Calm
Water Type	Slow-moving or still water	Freshwater
Water pH	6.5-7.2 pH	6.8-7.8 pH
Lifespan	2-5 years	10-15 years
Size	Up to 3 inches	Up to 18 inches

Betta Fish Care

Betta is Siamese fighting fish. Which is found in Southeast Asia, such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The natural color of the betta is greenish-brown. But it has been artificially selected to be more flashy and brightly colored.

Betta Fish are very beautiful creatures. They have long fins and bright colors. The males are usually more brightly colored than the females. And they are also very aggressive towards each other. That’s why they are called “Siamese fighting fish”.

Betta Fish are known as “labyrinth fish”. Because they have a unique ability to breathe directly from the surface of the water by using a labyrinth organ. This means that they can live in water that is low in oxygen.

Betta Fish are carnivores. Their diet consists of live food, such as brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, etc. You can also give them freeze-dried or pellets specially made for betta fish. But live food is always better for them.

Betta Fish can be a great pet for beginners. Because they are easy to care for and don’t need a lot of space. A 10-gallon aquarium is enough for a pair of betta fish. But if you want to keep more than one betta fish, you will need a larger tank.

Betta Fish are very sensitive to water quality. So you need to do a water change at least once a week. And you should also clean the tank and filter regularly.

Betta Fish are also sensitive to changes in their environment. So you need to acclimate them slowly to any new tank mates, water conditions, or foods.

Goldfish Care

Goldfish are one of the most popular pets in the world. They are beautiful, peaceful, and easy to care for. Goldfish come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors.

Goldfish are originally from China. But they have been bred in captivity for centuries. Today, there are many different types of goldfish available.

The most common type of goldfish is the fancy goldfish. These fish are usually brightly colored and have long fins. Some popular fancy goldfish include the ryukin, oranda, lionhead, pearlscale and bubbleeye goldfish.

Goldfish are omnivores. Their diet consists of both plant and animal matter. You can feed them live food, such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia, etc. You can also give them pellets or flakes specially made for goldfish.

Goldfish are very sensitive to water quality. So you need to do a water change at least once a week. And you should also clean the tank and filter regularly.

Goldfish are also sensitive to changes in their environment. So you need to acclimate them slowly to any new tank mates, water conditions, or foods.

How do keep Goldfish and Betta together?

Your aquarium tank is very large but has nothing but betta fish. Maybe you are thinking goldfish are very beautiful fish so how can I keep goldfish and betta together?

If such questions are on your mind then here are some tips that you can follow to keep goldfish with your betta fish.

1. Water Temperature

One of the most notable differences between betta fish and goldfish is their ideal water temperature. Betta fish prefer water that is slightly warmer than room temperature, whereas goldfish prefer cooler water.

This can make it difficult to find a happy medium between the two species. The ideal water temperature for betta fish is 77-86°F (25-30°C), while the ideal water temperature for goldfish is 65-72°F (18-22°C).

It is as clear as daylight here that there is a difference in water temperature for both fish to live comfortably. You can use a water heater to solve this problem.

2. Oxygen Levels

Another big difference between betta fish and goldfish is the amount of oxygen that they need in their water. Betta fish are known for being able to breathe from both their gills and their labyrinth organ, which allows them to live in water with lower oxygen levels.

On the other hand, goldfish depend solely on their gills to breathe and require higher levels of oxygen in their water. The ideal dissolved oxygen level for betta fish is 5-6 ppm (parts per million), while the ideal dissolved oxygen level for goldfish is 7-8 ppm.

To resolve this issue, you can add an air stone to the tank which will help to aerate the water and increase the oxygen levels.

3. Water flow rate

The third and final big difference between betta fish and goldfish is the water flow rate that they prefer. Betta fish prefer still or slow-moving water, while goldfish prefer water with a moderate to high flow rate.

The ideal water flow rate for betta fish is 0-0.5 inches (0-1.3 cm) per second, while the ideal water flow rate for goldfish is 1-2 inches (2.5-5.1 cm) per second.

Again, this difference can be resolved by using an aquarium filter with an adjustable flow rate. By setting the flow rate to a moderate level, you can create a happy medium between the two species.

4. Tank size

Another important difference between betta fish and goldfish is the minimum tank size that they require. Betta fish can live in tanks as small as 2.5 gallons (9.5 L), while goldfish need a minimum of 20 gallons (75.7 L).

However, it is best to err on the side of caution and provide as much space as possible for both fish. A 20-gallon (75.7 L) tank is a good starting point for keeping goldfish and betta together.

5. Diet

One final difference between betta fish and goldfish that you need to be aware of is their diet. Betta fish are carnivores and prefer to eat live or frozen food, such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia.

On the other hand, goldfish are omnivores and prefer a diet that is made up of both plant and animal matter. A good-quality goldfish food pellet should provide all the nutrients that your goldfish need.

You can feed your goldfish and betta together by giving them each their own food. Betta fish should be given live or frozen food, while goldfish can be given pellets.

By following these tips, you can successfully keep goldfish and betta fish together in the same tank.

Betta fish will fight with goldfish

It is hard to tell if they will fight even from the same fish tank. So I started searching to find out if a betta fish would actually fight a goldfish.

Betta fish are known to be very aggressive towards other fish, even fish of their own species. So, it is not surprising that they would also be aggressive towards goldfish. However, there are some things that you can do to reduce the chances of your betta fish and goldfish fighting.

The first thing that you can do is to make sure that you have a large enough tank for both fish. Betta fish need at least 2.5 gallons of water, while goldfish need at least 10 gallons. If you do not have a tank that is large enough to accommodate both fish, then it is best to choose one or the other.

Another thing that you can do is to provide each fish with its own space. Betta fish are territorial and will defend their space from other fish. Goldfish are not as territorial, but they still need their own space. If you do not provide each fish with its own space, then they may start to fight over territory.

The last thing that you can do is to provide each fish with the right diet. Betta fish are carnivores and prefer live food, such as insects or small fish. Goldfish are omnivores and will eat just about anything, including plants. If you are not sure what to feed your fish, it is best to consult with a veterinarian or an experienced fish keeper.

By following these tips, you can reduce the chances of your betta fish and goldfish fighting. However, even if you do everything right, there is still a chance that they may fight. If this happens, then you will need to separate them into different tanks.

Can Female Betta Fish Live With Goldfish?

Just like with male betta fish, it is not recommended to keep female betta fish with goldfish. Female betta fish are just as aggressive as male betta fish and will fight with goldfish if they are kept in the same tank.

If you want to keep both female betta fish and goldfish, then it is best to keep them in separate tanks.

Can a male and female betta fish live together? I wrote a whole blog post about this why don’t you read it? Let’s know the true story.

Aquarium tank food list for both Betta fish and Goldfish

Food for survival is first and foremost be it betta fish or goldfish. You can see how difficult it is to keep these two species of fish together. So how do you feed your betta fish?

You are getting restless thinking but here is the answer. We will show you how to feed betta and goldfish in the same aquarium.

1. Select the meal

Both betta fish and goldfish can eat a variety of things, but it is important to know what they both like so you can provide the best diet for them. Betta fish will generally eat pellets, freeze-dried bloodworms, brine shrimp, and tubifex.

Goldfish will generally eat flakes, freeze-dried bloodworms, brine shrimp, and tubifex.

2. Decide how much to feed

A good rule of thumb is to feed your fish twice a day, and only give them as much food as they can eat in two minutes.

This will ensure that they get the nutrition they need without overfeeding them and causing water quality problems.

3. Choose a delivery method

There are a variety of ways to deliver food to your fish, and the best method will depend on the type of fish you have. Betta fish can be fed by hand, or with a small tube that delivers the food directly to their mouth. Goldfish should be fed with a small scoop or cup so that they can eat from the surface of the water.

4. Set a feeding schedule

It is important to establish a regular feeding schedule for your fish so that they can learn when to expect their meals. Betta fish should be fed once or twice a day, and goldfish should be fed three times a day.

Feedings can be spaced out evenly throughout the day, or you can feed your fish all at once and then remove any uneaten food after a few minutes.

5. Be consistent

Once you have established a feeding schedule, it is important to be consistent with it so that your fish can learn to expect their meals at the same time each day. This will help them stay healthy and happy.

Risks of Keeping Betta Fish and Goldfish in the Same Fish Tank

Even if you take the proper precautions, there is still a risk that your betta fish and goldfish will fight. If this happens, then you will need to separate them into different tanks.

Here are a few potential risks of keeping betta fish and goldfish in the same fish tank:

1. Betta fish may attack goldfish

It is not recommended to keep female betta fish with goldfish. Female betta fish are just as aggressive as male betta fish and will fight with goldfish if they are kept in the same tank.

If you want to keep both female betta fish and goldfish, then it is best to keep them in separate tanks.

2. Goldfish may out-compete betta fish for food

Goldfish are omnivorous and tend to eat anything that is available in their environment, including the food pellets that are typically given to betta fish.

This can lead to the goldfish monopolizing the food supply in the fish tank, leaving the betta fish hungry and malnourished.

3. Betta fish may attack and harm goldfish

If you keep betta fish and goldfish together in the same fish tank, there is a risk that the betta fish will attack and harm the goldfish.

Betta fish are very aggressive and can easily harm the goldfish with their sharp fins. In addition, betta fish can spread disease to the goldfish, which can kill them.

It is therefore not recommended to keep betta fish and goldfish together in the same tank.

4. Goldfish may damage betta fish fins with their tails

Goldfish are known for their large tails, which can easily damage the fins of smaller fish. If you keep betta fish and goldfish together in the same tank, there is a risk that the goldfish will damage the fins of the betta fish with their tails.

This can cause the betta fish to become stressed and stop eating. In severe cases, it can even kill the betta fish.

5. Betta fish may spread disease to goldfish

Betta fish are known for carrying diseases that can be harmful to other fish. If you keep betta fish and goldfish together in the same tank, there is a risk that the betta fish will spread disease to the goldfish.

Diseases that betta fish can spread to goldfish include fin rot and velvet disease. Both of these diseases can be deadly to goldfish.

6. Goldfish may stress betta fish and cause them to stop eating

Goldfish are known for being very active fish, and their constant movement can be stressful for betta fish. If you keep betta fish and goldfish together in the same tank, the goldfish may stress the betta fish and cause them to stop eating.

In severe cases, this can lead to the betta fish wasting away and dying.

7. Betta fish may nip at goldfish fins

Betta fish are known for nipping at the fins of other fish. If you keep betta fish and goldfish together in the same tank, there is a risk that the betta fish will nip at the fins of the goldfish.

This can cause the goldfish to become stressed and stop eating. In severe cases, it can even kill the goldfish.

8. Goldfish may eat betta fish eggs

Goldfish are known for eating the eggs of other fish. If you keep betta fish and goldfish together in the same tank, there is a risk that the goldfish will eat the eggs of the betta fish.

This can prevent the betta fish from reproducing and cause the population of betta fish in the tank to decline.

How do I acclimate goldfish to my betta fish?

It is not recommended to keep betta fish and goldfish together in the same tank. However, if you do decide to do so, there are a few things you can do to minimize the risks:

1. Get a larger fish tank

If you want to keep both female betta fish and goldfish, it is best to keep them in separate tanks. A larger tank will give the goldfish more space to swim around and will reduce the risk of them being aggressive towards the betta fish.

2. Feed the goldfish first

When adding a new fish to your tank, it’s important to make sure that you introduce them slowly so that there isn’t any conflict. In the case of a betta and a goldfish, you’ll want to start by feeding the goldfish first.

This will help to establish who is in charge of the food supply, and it will also get the goldfish used to being in the same space as the betta. Once they’re both eating comfortably, you can move on to the next step.

3. quarantine new fish

It’s always a good idea to quarantine new fish before adding them to your tank. This will help to ensure that they are healthy and free of any diseases that could potentially harm the other fish in your tank.

To do this, simply set up a separate tank for the new fish and observe them for a week or two before adding them to the main tank. This will help to reduce the risk of any problems down the road.

4. provide plenty of hiding spots

When you’re setting up your tank, it’s important to provide plenty of hiding spots for both the betta and the goldfish. This will help to reduce stress and make sure that everyone has a place to go if they need some time alone.

You can use plants, rocks, or even commercially available aquarium decorations to create hiding spots. Just make sure that there are enough for both fish and that they’re not too close together.

5. keep an eye on water quality

When you have two different types of fish in the same tank, it’s important to keep a close eye on water quality. This is because different fish have different needs and tolerances.

For example, goldfish produce a lot of waste and require more oxygen than bettas. This means that you’ll need to do more frequent water changes and make sure that the tank is well-aerated.

You can use a water test kit to keep track of the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels in your tank. This will help you to identify any problems early on and take steps to correct them.

6. be prepared for differences in temperament

Betta fish are known for being aggressive, while goldfish are generally more docile. This means that you’ll need to be prepared for the possibility of the two fish not getting along.

You can help to reduce the risk of aggression by providing plenty of hiding spots and making sure that the tank is large enough for both fish. You should also avoid keeping two bettas together, as this will almost certainly lead to fighting.

7. don’t overfeed your fish

One of the biggest mistakes that new aquarium owners make is overfeeding their fish. This can cause all sorts of problems, including poor water quality and aggression.

It’s important to feed your fish only as much as they can eat in a few minutes. You can use quality fish food or even vegetables to provide them with the nutrients they need.

8. enjoy your new fish!

Adding a betta to your goldfish tank can be a fun and rewarding experience. Just make sure that you take the time to acclimate them slowly and provide plenty of hiding spots. With proper care, they can coexist peacefully for years to come.

Do betta fish eat goldfish?

No, betta fish do not eat goldfish. However, they may attack and kill smaller goldfish if they feel threatened.

It’s important to provide plenty of hiding spots and make sure that the tank is large enough for both fish. You should also avoid keeping two bettas together, as this will almost certainly lead to fighting.

Wrap Up

We have come to the end of this article. Basically, if we are a little careful, we can keep goldfish with betta fish. We must remember that they have different needs and we must provide for both of them.

We also need to be vigilant in monitoring water quality as things can go wrong quickly if we’re not paying attention.

Helped us to write the article: Officer of Chinese Fish Research Institute, Mr. Zhou Rongbin. In technical terms, he is also a “pet fish keeping consultant“. He has over 10 years of experience in the field and has written many popular articles on pet fish care.

If you have any questions about this article or anything else related to pet fish care, please feel free to leave a comment below or get in touch with us directly. We would be more than happy to help!