What Shrimp Can Live With Betta Fish?

You have a betta fish, and you know that bettas can be aggressive toward other bettas and some other fish, so you want to try something different to liven up your aquarium. You’ve seen some super cool looking shrimp and know they can actually be beneficial for keeping your betta’s tank clean. So, what shrimp can live with betta fish?

Can Betta Be Kept With Shrimp?

Yes, betta can be kept with shrimp. As long as the shrimp aren’t small enough to be eaten and have similar environmental requirements to bettas, shrimp are great tank mates for betta fish. 

What Shrimp Cannot Live With Betta Fish?

Saltwater shrimp species cannot live with any type of betta fish because betta fish cannot live in saltwater. Any shrimp that look small enough for a betta to ingest should not be housed with a betta fish. Hungry or not, your betta is likely to take advantage of that tasty treat. Some types of freshwater shrimp that aren’t ideal for your betta’s tank are bamboo shrimp, bumblebee shrimp, and crystal shrimp. 

Best Shrimp For A Betta Tank

• Cherry Shrimp

Cherry shrimp only grow to about 1 to 1 1/4 inches long. These shrimp do best in groups of at least 10. You might be about to get away with a 5 gallon tank with these shrimp and a betta, but a 10 gallon aquarium is best. The caveat with cherry shrimp is that they are colorful and, therefore, more attractive to bettas. While the males aren’t as brightly colored as the females, the females are still the better choice for a betta companion because they get bigger than the males. 

• Amano Shrimp

These shrimp are one of the larger varieties of freshwater shrimp. They can grow to 2 inches in length. This means that if you want amano shrimp with a betta fish, a 10 gallon aquarium is the smallest you should go. Amanos can be more aggressive with each other than other shrimp when they are eating which may stress your betta, but with plenty of space (at least a 10 gallon tank) this isn’t likely to be an issue. An added bonus with amano shrimp is that they are great tank cleaners. The downside is that these shrimp aren’t as easy to find as cherry and ghost shrimp

• Ghost Shrimp

Our top pick for the best shrimp for a betta tank is the Ghost shrimp. These shrimp are also known as Palaemonetes paludosus and glass shrimp. They are in-between cherry and amano shrimp in size. Ghost shrimp seem to do well in small groups so these would be your best option for a 5 gallon tank with a betta fish. 2 to 4 ghost shrimp would work well with a single betta and will keep them from getting overpopulated. Avoid Macrobrachium lanchesteri which is another type of ghost shrimp that is not a great tank mate for bettas.

*All of these shrimp are compatible with each other as well.

Creating A Happy Home For Your Betta Fish and Shrimp

Keep your betta well-fed. You don’t want to leave your betta for the weekend without food when you have a potential meal right there living in the tank! Choosing the largest shrimp will also greatly reduce the likelihood of them becoming a tasty meal for your betta fish. Shrimp are generally social little guys who do best in groups of 4 or more. Offer plenty of places to hide and explore. Live plants are a great option for both bettas and shrimp. Read more on betta fish care for additional tips!

Conclusion: What Shrimp Can Live With Betta Fish?

Now that you know what shrimp can live with betta fish, you can get to finding the best shrimp for your betta tank. Ghost shrimp are our top pick for the best tank mate for a betta fish, but the amano shrimp and the cherry shrimp are great options too. The key to a harmonious aquarium is space, places to hide, excellent water parameters, and appropriate diets for all inhabitants. 

Learn the facts when you are considering to buy betta fish online!