i feel like this is such a dumb question, but i sure would be lonely being in the same old boring tank by myself day after day after day. "Chuey" is quite a character. He always swims to greet me and gets "excited" when i come to watch him and swims back and forth and will chase my fingers when i run them along the glass. ( he does not flare and does not present typical betta aggression... i did a lab in my college biology class on aggressive betta behavior). He gets fed normal betta pellets and eats about 4 or 5 a night, but maybe 2 nights a week he will get blood worms instead. He will just eat the pellets normally but when i give him the worms he kindof attacks them, its cute.
I want to get him a room mate but i dont know if he will like one. I know to never put another betta in the tank and i also know something colorful with long flowy fins isnt good either, but what about something like a couple zebra fish?

bettas are not schooling fish. since they're so strictly territorial, it's doubtful that they get lonely - remember, most people who are lonely are lonely for other people (pets help, sort of, but they're not perfect substitutes for human interaction) - and other fish probably won't make much of a difference. if he was a corydora or a tetra, i would say yes, as they naturally school in the wild. a betta, however, enjoys being the undisputed king of his tank.-

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if you've got a tank under 5 gallons, you also don't have much choice in fish. perhaps you could get shrimp, to help clean up?

Mine gets along great with the cory cats I have in the tank. I think he gets surprised when ever he encounters one though.

yes i think he needs a partner.

no way........my bettas are all fine by themselves, however they can have tankmates, just not another betta or a fish that resembles a betta. Platies and mollies are the best tankmates for bettas IMO.

me

It's not a dumb question at all. :) My betta actually got quite depressed when I took her tankmates out (they were outgrowing the tank and I had to give them away. I bought a different species and she'll soon be going with him into the 90 litre community tank). Isn't it cute they way they go nuts for anything worm shaped? :) They are so into killing those dead worms. :p

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Some bettas love company, some hate it. It really does depend on the fish. If you do decide to get him some roomies, make sure you have the space. You can't keep them with other fish in less than 10 gallons.
I'd personally advise again zebra danios. They need to be kept in groups of at least six and do need 20 gallons, as they are pretty active. They are also sub-tropical and prefer colder water to your betta.

Some of the best tankmates for male include pygmy cories, which are cute bottom feeders, otos (delicate little algae eaters), dwarf plaites (non-aggressive, brightly coloured but non-threatening fish) and peaceful tetras. Keep all tetras in groups of six to minimise the risk of nipping, and don't get neons. Tetras also need 15 gallons for a school. I have a friend who has had success with cherry barbs in 10 gallons with a betta, but they can be a tad nippy too. Kuhli loaches are another good option, as they stay away from the betta and vice versa. Snails and shrimp are also good if you only have 5 gallons. :) pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com

So, it really depends on how much space you have. In 5 gallons, just shrimp and snails. In 10, some nice bottom dwellers might be the go. In 20 or more, options start to open out to include more barbs and tetras. :) I hope this helped and you can find the fish you want. :)

Fish lover
Betta addict

A male betta sets up a small territory where he can build a bubble nest and care for his young. He is a home body and visitors, unless they are ripe and willing female bettas, are not appreciated.

The kind of loneliness he might have would require a female betta to visit. As you know, you can't leave her there and have to introduce her safely. A clear glass cylinder open at both ends works well and does not disturb the bubble nest when put in and out carefully. She will stay near the side of the cylinder close to the male if interested. When you think they are both paying friendly attention to each other, lif the cylinder. Watch the proceedings and remove the female if anything goes wrong, or as soon as the female is depleted of eggs.

Guppies to Groupers PBS TV show

there are many fish that are compatible as betta tankmates. The four rules that you can use to determine whether a fish is compatible are