Freshwater shrimp and betta fish are both great choices for beginner aquarium hobbyists, especially if you have a smaller tank. But can shrimp and betta fish be kept together? It depends. With the right tank setup and an appropriate diet for all your tank inhabitants, you may be able to successfully keep freshwater shrimp and betta fish together.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the challenges of keeping shrimp and betta fish as tank mates. You’ll also learn which freshwater shrimp species are the best options and how to cultivate and maintain a thriving home aquarium.
Tips for Keeping the Peace
Betta fish are carnivorous, so they’re likely to feed on anything small enough to fit in their mouths—including shrimp. Fortunately, most adult freshwater shrimp are too big for bettas to eat. As long as your shrimp have places to hide and your betta is fed properly, the two may be able to coexist without incident.
Here are some simple tips for ensuring your betta fish and shrimp coexist peacefully:
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Choose a large enough tank to comfortably accommodate both your betta fish and a growing shrimp colony. A minimum of 5 gallons is recommended but bigger tanks are generally easier to maintain.
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Equip your tank with gentle filtration to keep the water clean and minimize excess nutrients. Sponge filters work well for both shrimp and bettas, especially since bettas prefer slow-moving water.
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Decorate your tank to provide hiding places for your shrimp and enrichment for your betta. Carpet plants and driftwood will give your shrimp cover while your betta may enjoy exploring floating plants or rock caves.
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Feed your betta a carnivore-appropriate diet, including live and frozen foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms. Set up a feeding dish for your shrimp to supplement their natural diet of algae and biofilm.
Finally, understand that some betta fish will get along with shrimp and others won’t. It’s impossible to predict what will happen, which is why it’s important to decorate your tank thoughtfully. Also, keep in mind that freshwater shrimp reproduce readily in healthy home aquariums, and the baby shrimp are the perfect size for bettas to feed on. Providing plenty of cover at the bottom of your tank is the best way to protect baby shrimp until they grow too big for your betta to eat.
5 Best Shrimp Species for Betta Tanks
If you have your heart set on keeping shrimp and betta fish together, take the time to research the most compatible species of shrimp. Here are some we recommend:
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Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) – Easily one of the most popular species of freshwater shrimp, cherry shrimp are small and brightly colored. Their size enables them to hide amongst plants and other tank décor to escape predation. They also breed quickly, so even if your betta eats a few you’ll still be able to maintain a healthy colony.
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Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata) – This species grows a little larger than cherry shrimp, so they may fare better against a hungry betta. If you have a small tank, Amano shrimp could be a good choice because they don’t need to be kept in groups and they don’t reproduce in fresh water.
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Ghost Shrimp (Palaemonetes paludosus) – Named for their transparent appearance, ghost shrimp offer similar benefits to cherry shrimp as tankmates for betta fish. They’re small, breed quickly, and can hide easily amongst tank décor. The downside is they’re not as brightly colored but they do tend to be less expensive to purchase.
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Bamboo Shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis) – Unique from the other species on this list, bamboo shrimp are filter feeders. Rather than scraping algae, biofilm, and other detritus from surfaces in the tank, they utilize special fan-like appendages to filter food out of the water itself. Bamboo shrimp are also fairly large, growing up to 3 inches in length, which makes them a good fit for betta tanks.
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Vampire Shrimp (Atya gabonensis) – This species looks very similar to the crayfish, but they are indeed shrimp. Vampire shrimp grow 2-3 inches in length but they’re broader in body than many freshwater shrimp. Their size makes them a good fit for betta tanks but it’s important to remember that they are filter feeders like bamboo shrimp and will require supplemental feeding in order to thrive.
Whatever species you decide on, make sure your aquarium is fully cycled before you add your shrimp. You’ll want to give the tank time to mature so there’s a sufficient supply of biofilm and algae for your shrimp to feed on once they’re introduced.
Start with a small colony to avoid overwhelming the biological filter in your tank and wait to add your betta until the water chemistry has stabilized once more.
With a well-planned tank setup, your betta and shrimp can peacefully coexist in a thriving aquarium. Explore our top-quality shrimp selection at Shrimpy Business and create the perfect habitat today! Need expert advice? Contact us now to ensure a successful and balanced tank for your aquatic pets!