You might want to put together a small aquarium with cherry shrimp and Betta fish, which are also known as Siamese fighting fish. Both of these species do well in small aquariums. Both are tiny and make a perfect choice for planted, lightly filtered nano tanks. But can they live together?.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about keeping cherry shrimp and Betta fish together. Let’s see if they get along with each other and look at some ways to make it work!
Can Betta Fish Live With Shrimp? What You Need To Know
Betta fish are popular freshwater fish loved for their beautiful fins and coloring They are also known for being aggressive and territorial, This can make finding suitable tank mates a challenge A common question is whether betta fish can live with shrimp, This article will give you a comprehensive answer,
Shrimp are appealing options to add visual interest and help clean aquarium tanks. Popular shrimp for community aquariums include cherry shrimp, ghost shrimp, amano shrimp and bamboo shrimp. But their small size makes them vulnerable to predation Will a betta’s aggression and predatory nature inevitably lead to trouble?
The answer is: it depends. Many factors influence compatibility, including the individual betta’s temperament, tank setup and conditions, shrimp species and shrimp size. With the right betta and proper precautions, bettas and shrimp can coexist peacefully. However, there is always a risk that the betta may attack, kill and eat the shrimp.
Betta’s Natural Behavior Towards Shrimp
In the wild, bettas are carnivorous fish that eat insects, insect larvae, worms and other small animals. Their natural diet can include small shrimp and shrimp larvae. So they are evolutionarily inclined to view small shrimp as prey or a snack.
This predatory instinct continues in captivity. Bettas may opportunistically hunt and consume smaller tank mates, especially juveniles. They are known for nipping the legs and antennae off shrimp. Even larger shrimp are susceptible to harassment and attacks. Constant chasing and nipping can gradually weaken and kill shrimp.
So by nature, bettas see shrimp as potential prey rather than tank mates. However, an individual betta’s personality plays a big role in behavior. Some bettas are more aggressive and predatory than others. With caution, less aggressive bettas can become shrimp-friendly.
Betta’s Temperament & Tank Setup Are Key
Betta personalities vary. Some male bettas in particular can be extremely territorial and aggressive. But others have calmer, more community-friendly temperaments. Females tend to be less aggressive than males.
Observe your betta’s behavior carefully before introducing shrimp. Is he or she relatively peaceful or very reactive and attack-prone? Aggression and previous shrimp-hunting point to probable trouble. A calmer, less reactive betta is more likely to tolerate shrimp.
The tank setup is also critical. A spacious, well-planted tank with hiding spots and sight breaks can help shrimp elude the betta. A 10 gallon or larger planted tank is ideal. Live plants, rocks, driftwood and tank decor create visual barriers and give shrimp places to hide and rest safely.
Making sure the betta is well-fed can also curb desire to hunt shrimp. Try scheduling shrimp feeding times separate from betta mealtimes to avoid competition. Providing shrimp hiding spots and food can help, but there are no guarantees. Much depends on the betta’s personality.
Best Shrimp Species For Bettas
Hardier shrimp species are better able to withstand cohabiting with bettas. Good options include:
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Amano Shrimp – Often recommended. Their larger size makes them less likely prey. Peaceful; good algae eaters.
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Ghost Shrimp – Also larger. Tend to ignore bettas. Good scavengers.
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Bamboo Shrimp – A larger species less attractive as prey. Help clean tanks.
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Red Cherry Shrimp – Colorful but very small; likely to get eaten. Keep in species-only tank.
Avoid more delicate shrimp like vampire shrimp. Shrimp under 1 inch long are high risk. Juveniles and molting shrimp are especially vulnerable as they struggle to escape.
Introducing & Monitoring Shrimp With Bettas
Go slow when adding shrimp to a betta tank. Introduce only one or two adult shrimp first and closely observe the betta’s reaction. Apparent shrimp harassment or hunting instincts call for removal.
Add shrimp to an established tank, not a new setup. Mature tanks have the stable conditions shrimp need. Acclimate shrimp slowly. Dim lights during initial introduction.
Provide ample hiding spots with plants, rocks and decor. Shrimp may need to keep out of sight initially until the betta adjusts. Keep a close eye on interactions for the first few days. Promptly remove the betta if aggressive behavior emerges.
Expect some casualties, especially weaker shrimp. The betta may pick off compromised individuals. Healthy shrimp able to hide and establish territories can potentially coexist long-term with calm bettas.
While shrimp-betta cohabitation is risky, many have success keeping ghost, amano and bamboo shrimp with non-aggressive bettas in planted tanks. Caution is needed, but compatible bettas can peacefully coexist with larger, hardier shrimp species given the proper conditions.
Shrimp as live food?
Okay, this one depends a bit on how you feel about the topic and how squeamish you are. But remember: Betta fish would naturally hunt small bugs. Feeding yours only formulated pellets takes away the enrichment that finding its own prey would offer.
Bettas should be fed live foods every once in a while to keep them from getting bored and doing bad things like biting their own fins. So, even if your Siamese fighting fish likes to hunt shrimp, it might be a good idea to put some in its tank. The cherry shrimp can be raised in a separate, small aquarium. When the colony gets too big, you can put some in with your Betta for it to eat.
Can cherry shrimp and Betta fish live together?
To answer this question, you need to remember that Betta fish are carnivores by nature and eat small invertebrates. You’re right if you think “small invertebrate” sounds a lot like a cherry shrimp, which is scientifically called Neocaridina davidi “Red Cherry.” We don’t think you should keep your shrimp and Betta together if you don’t want your Betta to eat any of them.
The thing is, though, that cherry shrimp breed very quickly. Additionally, once they reach their adult size, theyre a bit on the large side for a Betta. It is usually possible to keep a cherry colony with a Betta without the fish being able to kill them all. Yes, there are some good things about this! But, once more, it depends on how you feel about the Betta eating a few shrimp here and there.
As with everything in the aquarium, this is kind of an individual thing. Most Bettas will be content to pick off the occasional shrimp fry and leave it at that. Others will leave the shrimp alone entirely. Yet others, though, will cause absolute carnage and not be suitable to keep with any tankmates.
Theres no way of knowing beforehand which one your Siamese fighting fish is going to be. Plan B should be ready, or make sure to get your shrimp for a very low price so that the whole thing doesn’t cost too much.
Can betta fish live with shrimp? Will bettas eat shrimp?
FAQ
Can a betta live with shrimp?
Can I feed my betta baby shrimp?
Can betta fish eat frozen shrimp?
Can we feed dry shrimp to betta fish?
Can bettas eat shrimp?
Bettas can generally coexist with shrimp, but compatibility depends on the betta’s temperament and proper tank conditions for both. Bumblebee, Amano, Ghost, and Cherry shrimp are potential tank mates for bettas, with Amano shrimp being the most recommended due to their size and peaceful nature.
Are diabetics allowed to eat shrimps?
Shrimp is appropriate for pre-diabetics and diabetics in most cases because of its minimal effect on blood sugar. Shrimp is a versatile, high protein, low carbohydrate food. It contains moderate amounts of vitamin B12, selenium, and is low in saturated fat. The concentration of cholesterol in shrimp may present an issue for some individuals with type 2 diabetes or those with already unhealthy lipid profiles. However, this is most likely only an issue if consumed in excess and in the context of an already unhealthy dietary pattern. Shrimp, when caught sustainably and consumed moderately are a healthy choice for humans and the environment. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest aiming for two 4-ounce servings of seafood per week and many health experts suggest up to 12 ounces per week. Look for shrimp certified by an independent agency such as Wild American Shrimp or the Marine Stewardship Council(MSC), which certifies that wild fisheries are well-managed and sustainable. Or look for the Best Aquaculture Practices label, which is for farmed shrimp.
Do betta fish eat baby shrimp?
Put the shrimp into the tank first so the betta knows them as part of the environment. While eating baby shrimp is often a natural feeding instinct, other aggression in betta fish often comes down to territory. By putting the shrimp into the tank before the betta, you’re telling the betta this tank isn’t only theirs.
Do betta fish eat cherry shrimp?
Cherry shrimp are probably the number one freshwater shrimp common in betta tanks. They tolerate a huge range of water conditions, including those your fish needs. Like the ghost shrimp, cherry shrimp hide from other fish naturally. This means they’re well-equipped to defend themselves against a betta.