Can Betta Fish Live With Peacock Gudgeon?
No, bettas may attack peacock gudgeons because of their colorful fins and small body size.
Why
- Peacock gudgeons reach 3 inches and have colorful, flowing fins that bettas target.
- Bettas are known to attack anything with bright colors that resemble their own appearance.
- Peacock gudgeons are peaceful bottom-dwellers that cannot defend themselves against a betta.
- Even peaceful bettas will sometimes nip at gudgeon fins given the opportunity.
What could go wrong
The betta nips the peacock gudgeon's fins until it stops eating from stress or develops an infection.
If you keep them in separate tanks
Sized for the 15 gallon minimum this pairing needs. Affiliate links — we earn a small commission if you buy through them.
AquaClear 30 Power Filter
Oversized filtration is what lets you stock two species together without water quality crashing. Rated for a tank slightly larger than the 15 gallon minimum.
Eheim Jager 150W Thermostat Heater
Holds a steady temperature inside the 76-79°F window both species need.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit
Keep ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in check. Two-species tanks have more bioload and less margin for error than single-species setups.
Better pairings to consider
Peacock gudgeons do well with small peaceful tankmates like corydoras and rasboras. Bettas do well with snails and shrimp in species-only setups.
Related compatibility questions
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