Hey there! I’m Mike, an aquarium enthusiast who’s kept bettas and shrimp for over 8 years Today, I wanna share my experience about keeping cherry shrimp with bettas in a 5-gallon tank – a question I get asked like, ALL the time!
Quick Answer
You can keep 10-15 cherry shrimp with one betta in a 5-gallon tank. But wait! There’s more to it than just numbers…
Why These Numbers Matter
Listen up! When I first started, I made the rookie mistake of cramming too many shrimp in my tank Here’s what I’ve learned
- Cherry shrimp have a tiny bioload (fancy way of saying they don’t make much waste)
- A 5-gallon tank is the minimum size for a happy betta
- Your betta’s personality is SUPER important (more on this later!)
Important Factors to Consider
1. Tank Setup
For this combo to work, you need:
- Lots of plants (live ones are best!)
- Small hiding spots
- Good filter
- Stable water params
2. Betta Personality Check
Here’s the tea – not all bettas play nice! Before adding shrimp, watch your betta’s behavior:
- Aggressive = No shrimp friends
- Chill = Green light for shrimp!
Starting Population Tips
I always tell my friends to start small:
- Add 5-6 shrimp first
- Wait 2 weeks
- If everyone’s alive and happy, add 5 more
- Maximum 15 shrimp total
Maintenance Requirements
Keep it real with these basics:
- Weekly 20% water changes
- Regular plant trimming
- Monitor ammonia levels
- Feed appropriately (don’t overfeed!)
Common Problems & Solutions
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Betta chasing shrimp | Add more plants |
| Missing shrimp | Check filter, add hiding spots |
| Population explosion | Reduce feeding |
| Stressed betta | Remove some shrimp |
Pro Tips from My Experience
- Buy adult shrimp (babies = betta snacks)
- Feed at opposite ends of tank
- Introduce betta to shrimp tank (not other way around)
- Keep water params stable
Final Thoughts
Look keeping cherry shrimp with bettas ain’t rocket science, but it needs attention. Start with 10 shrimp see how it goes, and adjust based on your betta’s attitude. Every tank is different!
Remember – a happy tank is about balance, not cramming in as many creatures as possible. Trust me, I learned this the hard way!
FAQ
Q: Can shrimp population grow in a 5-gallon with betta?
A: Yep! But you might need to thin the herd occasionally.
Q: What if my betta eats all the shrimp?
A: Some bettas just ain’t shrimp-friendly. Maybe try nerite snails instead!
Q: Do I need special food for shrimp?
A: Nah, they’ll eat algae and leftover fish food, but specific shrimp food is nice!
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this article further?
Advantages of keeping dwarf shrimp with Bettas
If your Betta fish is the type to cohabit relatively peacefully with cherry shrimp, then maintaining a colony of these dwarf shrimp in its tank can actually be a great choice. After all, shrimp like these are considered to be one of the best aquarium janitor crews around!
Of course, no animal can remove the need for you to do regular water changes and other aquarium maintenance. However, they can help. This comes in especially handy in the smaller tanks that are more difficult to keep stable.
Because cherry shrimp are detrivores that will feed on pretty much anything they come across, theyre perfect for helping to prevent potentially dangerous fluctuations in water values. Theyll consume any leftover foods, dead plant matter and other detritus before it has the chance to become a problem.
Additionally, although algae dont make up the majority of a cherry shrimps diet, they will definitely pick at it. Theyre on our list of best algae-eating shrimp for a reason! This way, cherries or other Neocaridina shrimp will contribute to keeping your aquarium looking its best.
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.
Feeding live foods once in a while is often recommended for Bettas in order to prevent boredom and resulting issues like biting its own fins. Because of this, even for a Siamese fighting fish that actively hunts shrimp, adding them to its tank could be a good idea. You can breed the cherry shrimp in a separate small aquarium and toss a few in with your Betta for it to eat when the colony begins to expand too much.