Betta with Cherry Shrimp

[jossswonk]

Hello! I've got a 6 gallon cube that is densely planted. I've got some cherry shrimp living in there and it appears that they are reproducing. I would really like to put a betta in there but I've heard it's hit or miss whether the shrimp become dinner. My hypothesis is that if I let my shrimp population increase for a few weeks and then get a really young betta that would be roughly the size of adult shrimp that it will grow up and leave the shrimp alone. I've done something similar for a betta in a community tank and everyone in there is doing really well. Does anyone think I should try this or have any helpful comments or tips? Anything would be very appreciated.

 

[Innesfan]

Do you have a plan B if it doesn't pan out as you hope?

 

[jossswonk]

I could put it in my 20 gallon with my platies or I could move some of my fish around so it could have its own tank.

 

[MaloK]

What kind of betta ?

If it's a long finned splendens , he will have a good time trying to catch cherry shrimps.

On the other hand, if it's a Plakat... Things could be different as he grow up...

 

[jossswonk]

I'd go for the long finned variety because I know he'll be slower. It's a possibility that I might accidentally end up with a female though.

 

[jossswonk]

I have a second option. One of the bettas I currently have is very slow and not very bright but I love him so much. Do you think it would hurt to introduce him to the tank and see how it goes? I could always take him out if he goes on a killing spree.

 

[Jinx_]

I heard people had success if they put shrimps/fish in first before the betta, since the fish would have the mindset of "this territory belongs to the shrimp". Or would at least just tolerate the shrimp.

I have a second option. One of the bettas I currently have is very slow and not very bright but I love him so much. Do you think it would hurt to introduce him to the tank and see how it goes? I could always take him out if he goes on a killing spree.

Yeah, you can try putting him in. If anything goes south, you can just take him out.

 

[thrujenseyes]

Hello! Just wondering if the OP ever tried this and how it panned out. I'm thinking of the same thing right now as I also have a densely planted 6 gallon that is right now hosting so many shrimp I lost count. The last of my little ember tetras passed away and I was thinking of a baby betta as well.
I did try this many years ago (well like 6ish) and I introduced a baby female betta who IMMEDIATELY just went murderous and had an absolute field day terrorizing the entire tank and killing a good many before I scooped her out and put her in different accommodations. She passed this past year and I loved her but man!
I must be crazy for considering this again but maybe a boy would be different? And If I got him super small?

 

[jossswonk]

I decided to not put a betta in to play it safe.

 

[thrujenseyes]

I decided to not put a betta in to play it safe.

gotchya. I'm debating but the last time I tried it was a disaster. ha

 

[BanjoFish]

I have honey gourami, ember tetras pygmy corys and nerite snails with my shrimp.

 

[thrujenseyes]

I have honey gourami, ember tetras pygmy corys and nerite snails with my shrimp.

I only have a little 6 gallon so I can only have like one fish or a couple teeeeeny ones. I always kept ember tetra and I suppose I should just stick to them.

 

[BanjoFish]

I only have a little 6 gallon so I can only have like one fish or a couple teeeeeny ones. I always kept ember tetra and I suppose I should just stick to them.

 

[BanjoFish]

Dont forget they are shoaling fish.

I have 13 of them

 

[MuddyWaters]

I put a betta in with a bunch of cherry shrimp and plants. He's way too lazy to go after them, and even if he did, he'd never catch them. The tank is full of plants, so the shrimp have the advantage of speed, agility and obstructions in the way.