Can betta fish live with shrimp?

Having an idea on the types of fish that can live harmonically together in your aquarium is really important.

It can save you from unfortunate incidents and it will guarantee that all of your fish are happy and well-cared for.

Particularly when we talk about betta fish which are known for their semi-aggressive behavior, it is really important to know the other fish types that can live peacefully with them.

Are shrimps and betta fish capable of coexisting?

In most cases, those two types of fish can actually live together without problems.

However, the breed of your betta fish, along with its special temperament should be taken into account. Some betta breeds are more aggressive and provocative than others.

Choosing some more quiet and mild breeds, like the well-known delta betta fish or the halfmoon betta fish can save your shrimps from unwanted attacks.

The answer to the question: can betta fish live with shrimps?

Depends a lot on the owner’s ability to provide a proper environment for both species.

The aquarium needs to be big enough and ideally, you should add a variety of hiding places.

The use of real plants will give the impression of a more natural environment and it will help both your betta fish and your shrimps to feel secure and at home.

You could include some ornaments, as well. However, do not place any sharp items that could damage the fins of your fish.

When you place some shrimps and betta fish together, you will not have to worry about food.

Shrimps are scavengers, so they will normally scavenge anything that your betta fish doesn’t eat.

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/post/Is_cannibalistic_behavior_ordinary_in_any_species_of_shrimp

However, if you have a lot of shrimps in your tank, you should provide them with a variety of plants and meat, as well.

Choosing the right breed of shrimps is also, really important.

Ghost shrimps, for example, are a great choice because they know how to hide and they are big enough, so they are not in real danger of getting eaten by your betta fish.

Cherry shrimps are another good choice, but owners should have in mind that they are more vulnerable to attacks from the betta fish, particularly if they are outnumbered.

Amano shrimps are among the most popular choices that could be added to a betta fish aquarium because they are large enough, they have neutral colors and they have a longer life expectancy.

If you do not like the idea of having your betta fish live on their own and you wish to liven things up a bit in your aquarium, then you are probably wondering about the type of fish that can peacefully live with your betta fish.