An even better suggestion is Trichogaster trichopterus the three spot gourami, also known as the blue, gold, cosby, and opaline gourami. They are similarly ill tempered though and Im not sure how theyd mix with loaches. I was also going to suggest you check out Macropodus obercularis- the paradise fish (Blue paradise- there are also black, spiketailed etc) it is a very hardy fish and more entertaining than a betta. If you did that and added maybe 3 polkadot (kubotai) loaches maybe more maybe five - it depends what else you want in there, you'd be good. If your filter setup doesn't allow for this, even still you will be ok if you simply provide a nice peaceful area with lots of standing and floating plants for the betta to go in. If you could manage a 2 foot or so aquarium, say a fifteen gallon, and have the current more intense along the bottom but not so much at the top that would be perfect. If you put it in a corner of the tank with a bunch of plastic plants infront of it the current in the tank is negligible. They can live without one but anyone will tell you a filter is much better.

not to talk you out of bettas but have you considered any of the other gouramis? They aren't necessarily harder to take care of- remember, even bettas do need a filter. There is someone on this board by the name of Martin who pretty much knows everything humanity has accumulated relating to loaches and he could tell you for sure.Īs far as it bothering the bettas I dont really think its going to be a big deal- especially if you get a plakatt betta (much prettier) Some might say a ten gallon is ok- Im not really the authority. Its freakin huge now like almost five inches- a beautiful fish.

My friend has a very very very beautiful histrionica in a 10 Gallon and it has lived there since it was a little yellow sliver. I don't think you should put loaches in a tank that doesn't have a good two feet of running room.

Zebra loach with betta fish