Can Bettas Live With Shrimp?

Yes, bettas can live with shrimp, but success isn’t guaranteed. Some bettas will completely ignore shrimp while others will hunt them on sight. It all comes down to your individual betta’s personality, the size of your tank, and how many hiding spots you provide.

Here’s the thing: bettas are natural predators. In the wild, they munch on small bugs and invertebrates, and shrimp fit that profile perfectly.

In this guide, you’ll learn which shrimp species work best with bettas, how to set up your tank for success, and what warning signs to watch for. You’ll also find out when this combo just won’t work.

Quick Answer: Betta + Shrimp Compatibility

• Best shrimp for bettas: Amano shrimp (largest), ghost shrimp (translucent), cherry shrimp (fast breeders)
• Minimum tank size: 10 gallons (bigger is always better)
• Success factors: Heavy planting, lots of hiding spots, well-fed betta
• Expect losses: Baby shrimp will likely get eaten, even with peaceful bettas
• Watch for: Constant chasing, fin nipping (from aggressive shrimp species), stressed shrimp that never come out
• Pro tip: Add shrimp to the tank first, let them settle for a few days, then introduce the betta

What Makes This Pairing Tricky?

Bettas are carnivores with killer instincts.

They’re literally called Siamese fighting fish. Their natural diet includes small invertebrates, insect larvae, and anything bite-sized that moves. Shrimp check all those boxes.

Adult shrimp are usually too big and too fast for most bettas to catch. But baby shrimp? They’re basically betta popcorn.

Even the chillest betta might snack on shrimplets.

The good news is that adult shrimp from the right species can coexist with bettas. You just need to stack the odds in their favor.

Want to dive deeper into Betta? This article has all the answers! Can Bettas Live With Neon Tetras?

Best Shrimp Species for Betta Tanks

Not all shrimp are created equal when it comes to living with bettas. Here are your best bets.

Amano Shrimp (Top Pick)

Amano shrimp are your safest choice. They grow up to 2 inches long, making them too big for most bettas to mess with.

They’re also super fast swimmers and have a dull grayish color that doesn’t trigger a betta’s hunting instincts like bright colors do.

Plus, they’re algae-eating machines. Win-win.

Tank requirements:

• pH: 6.5-7.5
• Temperature: 72-78°F
• Good for: Bettas that tolerate larger tank mates

Ghost Shrimp

Ghost shrimp are basically invisible ninjas. Their translucent bodies make them hard for bettas to spot, which gives them a major survival advantage.

They grow to about 1.5-2 inches and stay out of everyone’s business.

One downside: they’re often sold as feeder shrimp, so quality can vary. Also, they breed like crazy if you get males and females.

Tank requirements:

• pH: 7.0-8.0
• Temperature: 72-82°F
• Good for: Beginner-friendly option

Cherry Shrimp

Cherry shrimp (also called red cherry shrimp or RCS) are the most popular shrimp in the hobby. They’re bright red, easy to breed, and fun to watch.

But here’s the catch: that bright red color can make some bettas see them as threats or targets. It’s a gamble.

If your betta is chill, cherry shrimp can work great. If not, they might become expensive snacks.

Tank requirements:

• pH: 6.5-8.0
• Temperature: 72-78°F
• Good for: Calm bettas in heavily planted tanks

Bamboo Shrimp and Vampire Shrimp

These are the giants of the shrimp world at 2-3 inches long. They’re filter feeders, which means they don’t scavenge on the substrate like other shrimp.

They’re too large for bettas to bother, but they need specific water flow to thrive. Not the easiest option for beginners.

Tank requirements:

• pH: 6.5-7.5
• Temperature: 75-82°F
• Good for: Experienced keepers with established tanks

Ready to learn more about Betta? This post will give you fresh insights! Can Bettas Live With Guppies? (Compatibility Guide)

How to Set Up a Betta-Shrimp Tank (Step-by-Step)

Want the best shot at success? Follow this setup guide.

Step 1: Start With a Big Enough Tank

Forget 5-gallon tanks. You need at least 10 gallons for bettas and shrimp to coexist peacefully.

More space = less territorial behavior from your betta + more room for shrimp to hide and spread out.

If you can swing a 20-gallon? Even better.

Step 2: Add Plants (Lots of Them)

Heavy planting is non-negotiable. Live plants give shrimp places to hide, especially during molting when they’re most vulnerable.

Best plants for shrimp:

• Java moss (shrimp love it)
• Anubias (provides big hiding spots)
• Java fern
• Hornwort
• Floating plants like duckweed

The more plants, the better. Aim for what looks like a jungle to you.

Step 3: Create Hiding Spots

Plants aren’t enough on their own. Add driftwood, rocks, shrimp tubes, and caves.

Make sure there are crevices small enough for shrimp to squeeze into but too tight for your betta to follow.

I once used stacked river rocks with small gaps between them. Worked like a charm.

Step 4: Cycle Your Tank Properly

This is critical. Shrimp are way more sensitive to water quality than bettas.

Even 0.25 ppm of ammonia can kill shrimp while your betta wouldn’t even notice. Your tank needs to be fully cycled with 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites.

Wait at least 2 months after cycling before adding shrimp. This gives beneficial bacteria time to establish and creates biofilm for shrimp to feed on.

Step 5: Add Shrimp First

Here’s a trick that works surprisingly well: introduce shrimp to the tank first.

Let them establish themselves for 3-5 days. They’ll find all the best hiding spots and get comfortable.

Then add your betta. The betta will see the shrimp as part of the landscape rather than invaders in “his” territory.

Step 6: Introduce a Well-Fed Betta

Feed your betta a solid meal right before you add him to the tank. A full belly reduces hunting instincts.

Keep up with regular feeding so he doesn’t get desperate enough to chase shrimp.

Curious about Betta? This post is packed with info you won’t want to miss! These 12 Fish Can Actually Live with Bettas Without the Drama

What NOT to Do (Common Mistakes)

These mistakes can turn your peaceful community tank into a bloodbath.

Don’t Skimp on Tank Size

A 5-gallon tank is too small for this combo. You’ll just stress everyone out.

Shrimp will hide constantly. Your betta will get territorial. Nobody wins.

Don’t Add Just One or Two Shrimp

Shrimp feel safer in groups. Start with at least 6-10 shrimp.

More shrimp = better chance some survive if your betta is aggressive. Plus, they’ll reproduce to replace any losses.

Don’t Use Copper-Based Medications

Copper is toxic to shrimp. Like, instant-death toxic.

Always check medication ingredients before treating your tank. If you need to medicate your betta, move him to a quarantine tank.

Don’t Expect to Keep All the Babies

Even the gentlest betta will eat baby shrimp. It’s just nature.

If you want a thriving shrimp colony, you’ll need a shrimp-only tank.

Don’t Rush the Introduction

Give shrimp time to acclimate properly. Float the bag for 15-20 minutes, then slowly add tank water to the bag over 30-45 minutes.

Stressed shrimp = dead shrimp, even without a betta in the picture.

Signs Your Betta and Shrimp Aren’t Compatible

Watch for these red flags in the first few days.

Your betta is obsessed: If your betta spends all day stalking shrimp or trying to attack them, this combo won’t work. Some bettas are just too aggressive.

Shrimp never come out: Healthy shrimp should be visible at least once a day. If they’re in permanent hiding, they’re too stressed to thrive.

You find injured or dead shrimp: Missing legs, damaged shells, or corpses mean your betta is actively hunting. Time to separate them.

Your betta gets fin damage: If aggressive shrimp (like some ghost shrimp types) are nipping at your betta’s fins, remove them immediately.

Tank Mates to Avoid With This Setup

Don’t overcomplicate things. If you’re keeping bettas and shrimp together, skip these tank mates:

• Other fish (adds competition and stress)
• Crayfish (will hunt shrimp)
• Large snails that might stress your betta
• Aggressive shrimp species like Macrobrachium (sometimes sold as ghost shrimp by mistake)

Keep it simple. Betta + shrimp + snails (maybe) = your best bet.

Hungry for knowledge about Betta? We’ve got you covered in this article. Can Bettas and Snails Get Along? The Experts Weigh In

How to Feed Both Betta and Shrimp

Your betta needs protein. Your shrimp need algae and biofilm.

For your betta:

• High-quality betta pellets (2-4 pellets twice daily)
• Frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp as treats
• Feed him first so he doesn’t steal shrimp food

For your shrimp:

• They’ll eat algae and biofilm naturally
• Supplement with algae wafers or shrimp pellets 2-3 times per week
• Blanched vegetables (zucchini, cucumber) once a week

Drop shrimp food after your betta has eaten. This reduces food competition.

When to See a Vet (or Separate Them)

Most of the time, you can solve betta-shrimp issues on your own. But sometimes you need to cut your losses.

Separate immediately if:

• Your betta won’t stop attacking shrimp (some bettas just can’t coexist)
• Shrimp are dying from stress despite perfect parameters
• Your betta gets injured trying to catch shrimp in tight spaces

Consider expert help if:

• Multiple shrimp die within days and you can’t figure out why (could be TDS issues or other water quality problems)
• Your betta shows signs of illness after eating dead shrimp

Don’t feel bad about separating them. Some bettas are just too aggressive for tank mates, and that’s okay.

Real Talk: Success Rates

Let me be honest with you. Success with bettas and shrimp is maybe 50-50.

Some people keep them together for years with zero issues. Others lose every shrimp in a week.

I’ve talked to keepers who’ve had 7 different bettas live peacefully with shrimp. I’ve also talked to people whose gentle bettas turned into shrimp-murdering machines overnight.

Your betta’s personality is the deciding factor. You won’t know until you try.

But if you follow this guide, you’re giving yourself the best possible shot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can bettas and shrimp live in a 5-gallon tank?

Technically yes, but survival rates are way better in 10+ gallon tanks. More space means less territorial behavior from your betta and more hiding spots for shrimp. Don’t risk it in anything smaller than 5 gallons.

Expand your understanding of Betta—click here to uncover more! Betta Fish Bloated: Is It Constipation, Dropsy, or Overfeeding?

Will my betta eat adult shrimp?

Most bettas won’t bother adult shrimp from larger species like Amano or ghost shrimp. Smaller species like cherry shrimp have a higher risk. But even peaceful bettas will eat baby shrimp.

How many shrimp can I keep with one betta?

Start with 6-10 shrimp in a 10-gallon tank. You can add more as the colony grows. Don’t worry about overstocking with shrimp—they have tiny bioloads compared to fish.

Do I need to feed shrimp if they’re with a betta?

Yes. While shrimp eat algae and biofilm, they still need supplemental food like algae wafers or blanched vegetables. Just make sure your betta doesn’t steal it all.

What do I do if my betta kills all the shrimp?

Some bettas are just too aggressive for tank mates. Set up a separate shrimp-only tank if you want to keep both. Don’t force a situation that causes constant stress and death.

Final Thoughts

Bettas and shrimp can definitely live together, but it’s not a guarantee.

The key is choosing the right shrimp species (Amano or ghost shrimp are your safest bets), providing tons of hiding spots, and accepting that baby shrimp will probably become snacks.

Start with a well-planted 10+ gallon tank. Add shrimp first, let them settle, then introduce a well-fed betta. Watch closely for the first week.

If your betta ignores the shrimp, congrats—you’ve got a great community tank. If not, don’t force it. Some bettas just aren’t meant to share their space.

The most important thing? Don’t feel guilty either way. You’re doing your best to create a healthy environment for everyone.