Can I keep a betta in a 2.5 gallon tank?

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I recently bought a tank shelf that came with 4 2.5 gallon tanks. Now I also have 2 bettas that are currently in a 20 gallon tank alone and in my 60 gallon tank with corys. Would I be able to move them into my new 2.5 gallon tanks? I've always been scared to put fish in tanks under 5 gallons so I wasn't really sure. Another option I was thinking of was to use this other 20 gallon long shrimp planted tank that I have and move the shrimp to the 2.5 gallon tanks and then put a glass divider in the 20 gallon and put my 2 bettas in there.

TLDR: Can my bettas live in 2.5-gallon tanks or should I use them for shrimp?

*Edit one of my bettas is occupying a 20 gallon by himself and the other is in a 60 gallon with corys

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

You could put a betta into a 2.5 gallon tank but I wouldn't recommend it. Go with shrimp tanks or snail tanks(if hard water).

 

[itiwhetu]

Why not, they live in smaller tanks than that while they are coming to your place. Lots of live plants, especially floaters and the Betta, will be fine.

 

[StandbySetting]

Disagree with the above comment. Just because it happens doesn't make it right.

For me no fish should be housed permenantly in any tank smaller than 5 gallons.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Could be ok, if you do regular large water changes and have live plants. I wouldn't recommend though especially as they're coming into a small tank from one much bigger, it's a major downgrade

 

[hansgruber7]

I don't recommend it. I had a betta in a 2.5 Gallon for a few weeks and he seemed bored and depressed. I moved him to a planted 5G and he was immediately more active and seemed happier and healthier. I keep shrimp in my 2.5G and it works great for that. That's what I would recommend. I also think moving a betta from a 20G he has to himself to a 2.5G would be a brutal adjustment for the poor guy.

 

[Rocky998]

For me, 5 gallons is "ok" but I wouldnt do it. I would much rather see one in a 10 gallon.

 

[Crispii]

For me, 5 gallons is "ok" but I wouldnt do it. I would much rather see one in a 10 gallon.

 

[Slaphppy7]

5.5 USG is the smallest size tank I'd keep a single betta in...

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Short answer: No, I personally wouldn’t. In my younger days of keeping fish, I kept a Betta in a 2.5g tank. He wasn’t at all that happy. It’s also hard to find equipment suitable for a Betta, in a tank that small.

I person don’t keep Bettas in anything smaller than 10 gallons. I think you can get away with keeping them in a 5g, but you really need to stay on top of maintenance and weekly water changes.

 

[connorlindeman]

I would never keep one in less then a 10g with lots of plants