I bought shrimp last week, and my betta tries to eat them often. I thought he may have a chill temperament, because he’s left the snails alone, but I was wrong. Which is fine— I just don’t want him to pick all of them off before they establish a bigger population…
I ordered more plants, and 20 more wild type shrimp. Currently have about 16-20 shrimp in a smaller isolation box, but they keep trying to swim out of the small slits of the box.
I don’t know if they’re too stressed, and don’t want to accidentally overstress and kill them… what should I do?
My tank has moderate hiding spots and vegetation— but I definitely need more.
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1r52kyc
Posted by CerberusFangz
5 Comments
most people would suggest not doing this unless you’re fine with the shrimp being eaten off and possibly not achieving your goal, so I would just like go for it and hope for the best. if you are fine with them being eaten. if you’ve offered them tons of hiding places and properly acclimated them i dont know what else you can do besides let them establish without the betta around, and put the betta back (which is unrealistic for most people) when theyre established. just keep in mind betta fish aren’t too smart and usually will just keep eating forever until theres no more food, which could lead to bloat or constipation easily if they have a constant food source like shrimp around !
Just add more plants. My tank is full of plants. My Betta doesn’t bother my shrimp. They have a ton of hiding places.
I would set up two separate tanks. Bettas can also overeat and have digestive issues if they go after adult Neocaridina.
It’s not particularly fair t the shrimp to keep them in a tank with a predator either
You need to make better decisions. Putting a betta in a breeder box (you stated this in the comments) for doing what every single person in the world knows they do, is cruel and strange. Yes, they eat shrimp. They are predators! Do better.
Hi OP. Shrimp are a betta’s natural food, he will go after them. The tank doesn’t have much cover for the shrimp so this will increase the chances. Caging the shrimp in a breeder box close to the bright light without the safety or cover of the bottom will stress them out. Caging the betta for going after his natural food isn’t right either.
I keep shrimp with my betta in one of my tanks – you got to give the little guys a chance and set the tank up for them. There needs to be enough space and a tonne of cover.
Betta will eat the shrimp, it is inevitable. I have success with the wild types but would never introduce bright coloured ones. Even my betta who was raised with shrimp snacks on a few babies now and then.
Another thought- you have cholla wood, the betta will be relentless in chasing the shrimp as this is a huge enrichment for him in an open space. Please make sure there is nowhere he can get stuck as he’s so focused on the shrimp. Betta can get into tiny spaces and be stuck.
Tank for reference, it’s 30g. This level of plants supports both, there is cover everywhere. The temperament of the betta is a part too, but even then he will occasionally eat them.
https://preview.redd.it/05at4xhilljg1.jpeg?width=4608&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=053a7bdd696ff759069c1ac92f276992fd118da8