Can a male Betta get along with 1 or 2 neon tetras?

i have a male Betta in a 12 gallon tank with a water heater and filter he looks a little bored and sleeps most of the time in his little coral cave there's plenty of things in there for him to play with but i think he needs a friend/friends i was thinking maybe 1 or 2 neon tetras since they can live in the same water conditions also i wanted to know that if i do get one if he can eat the flakes i feed my Betta or should i get another food for the little neon? maybe pellets? also since Betta's are territorial should i get another cave since my Betta seams to love his so much? PLEASE READ THE DESCRIPTION AND PLEASE NO JOKES!!