Hey there! I’ve been keeping both bettas and cherry shrimp for years, and I get this question all the time. The short answer? Yes, they can live together – but there’s a catch! Let me share everything I’ve learned about making this combination work successfully.
The Truth About Betta and Cherry Shrimp Compatibility
Listen, I won’t sugarcoat it – bettas are natural predators that love snacking on small invertebrates. But don’t let that discourage you! With the right setup and approach, these two species can actually become great tankmates. Here’s what you need to know:
The Good News
- Cherry shrimp breed like crazy! Even if your betta snacks on a few, the colony can usually maintain itself
- Adult cherry shrimp are often too big for bettas to eat
- Shrimp make excellent tank cleaners, helping keep your aquarium healthy
- They can provide natural enrichment for your betta
The Not-So-Good News
- Some bettas are more aggressive than others
- Baby shrimp may become betta snacks
- You’ll need proper setup and maintenance
Setting Up Your Tank for Success
Tank Size Matters!
- Minimum 10 gallons recommended (bigger is better!)
- More space = less territorial behavior
- Allows for plenty of hiding spots
Perfect Parameters for Both Species
Temperature: 75-80°FpH: Around 7.0 (6.8 ideal)Tank Size: 10+ gallonsEssential Hiding Places
Your cherry shrimp gonna need places to hide! Here’s what I recommend
- Dense plants (especially java moss – shrimp LOVE it!)
- Driftwood pieces
- Rock formations
- Floating plants
- Small caves or crevices
Pro Tips for a Successful Community
-
Choose the Right Betta
- Pick one that already lives with shrimp in the store
- Avoid super aggressive specimens
- Female bettas might be less aggressive
-
Introduce Shrimp First
- Let them establish territory
- Wait until tank is fully cycled
- Add plenty of plants before adding betta
-
Proper Feeding
- Feed betta high-quality pellets
- Supplement with live/frozen foods
- Let shrimp scavenge naturally
- Add algae wafers once weekly for shrimp
Warning Signs to Watch For
Keep an eye out for these red flags
- Betta constantly chasing shrimp
- Immediate aggressive behavior
- Missing shrimp population
- Stressed or hiding shrimp
My Personal Experience
I’ve had both successful and, uh, not-so-successful attempts at keeping bettas with cherry shrimp. The key is patience and observation! One of my most chill bettas, Blue (creative name, I know), lived happily with a thriving cherry shrimp colony for over a year.
Special Considerations
Filter Setup
- Use sponge filters or cover filter intakes
- Avoid strong currents
- Ensure proper oxygenation
Plants Matter
Best plants for this setup:
- Java Moss
- Anubias
- Floating plants
- Dense stem plants
Alternative Options
If you’re worried about compatibility, consider these alternatives:
- Amano Shrimp (larger size = harder to eat)
- Ghost Shrimp (cheaper if things go wrong)
- Bamboo Shrimp (filter feeders, stay out of way)
Final Thoughts
Can cherry shrimp live with bettas? Yes! But success depends on your setup, the individual betta’s personality, and your commitment to maintaining the right environment. Don’t get discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect – every tank is different!
Remember: if things aren’t working out, always have a backup plan ready. Whether that’s a separate tank for the shrimp or returning one of the species to the store.
Got any questions about keeping cherry shrimp with your betta? Drop them in the comments below! I’d love to hear about your experiences too.
Would you like me to explain any part of this guide in more detail?
Can cherry shrimp and Betta fish live together?
In order to be able to answer this question, you need to keep in mind that Betta fish are naturally carnivores that feed on small invertebrates. If “small invertebrate” sounds exactly like what a cherry shrimp (scientifically known as Neocaridina davidi “Red Cherry”) is, then youre right. If you dont like the idea of your Betta eating any of your shrimp, then wed definitely advise against keeping them together.
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. This means it is usually possible to maintain a cherry colony with a Betta without the fish being able to wipe them out. In fact, there are a few advantages to this! Again, though, it all depends how you feel about the Betta picking off 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. Youll need to have a plan B ready, or make sure to get your shrimp very cheap to avoid the whole thing becoming too costly.
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.
Will Bettas Eat Shrimp? Here’s How To Keep Both
FAQ
Will bettas eat cherry shrimp?
What kind of shrimp can live with betta?
Several shrimp species can potentially live with betta fish, but success depends on tank setup and individual betta temperament. Amano shrimp, Ghost shrimp, and Cherry shrimp are commonly recommended due to their hardiness and size. Larger shrimp like Bamboo shrimp or Vampire shrimp can also be good choices.
How to introduce cherry shrimp to betta tank?
Try a Larger Tank: A 10-gallon tank or larger offers shrimp more space to escape and reduces betta aggression. Introduce Shrimp First: If possible, add shrimp before introducing a betta. This allows shrimp to establish themselves, reducing the betta’s territorial response.
Are betta aggressive to shrimp?