Betta fish and red cherry shrimp can live in the same aquarium. The two species tolerate a similar range of water parameters. Some betta fish might attack and even eat red cherry shrimp. However, providing a spacious tank, live plants, and decorations, and maintaining the right ratios of shrimp to bettas helps the two species coexist peacefully.
Maintaining Water for Betta and Red Cherry Shrimp
Bettas and red cherry shrimp are compatible tankmates because they need similar water conditions.
| Parameter | Red cherry shrimp | Betta |
| Temperature | 65-85°F (18-29.5°C) | 76-85°F (24.5-29.5°C) |
| pH | 6.5-8.0 | 6.5-8.0 |
| General hardness | over 6-8 dGH (100-150 ppm) | 3-4 dGH (50-66 ppm) |
| Flow | slow to high flow, well-oxygenated | slow-moving, calm water, well-oxygenated |
Red cherry shrimp tolerate a wide range of temperatures but are most comfortable when the temperature is in the mid-70s °F° (around 24°C). That is the lowest temperature betta fish can tolerate.
Bettas and red cherry shrimp need the same acidity – 6.5-8.0.
The general hardness of around 5 dGH (90 ppm) is also suitable for both. Although the ideal hardness for bettas and red cherry shrimp does not overlap, the shrimp tolerate slightly softer water, and bettas adapt well to water that is a little hard for them.
Shrimp tolerates fast and slow water but bettas need low flow. Plants and decorations are also helpful in diffusing the flow if needed.
To summarize, keep the following parameters for your bettas and red cherry shrimp:
- Temperature mid-70s °F° (around 24°C)
- pH 6.5-8.0
- 5 dGH (90 ppm)
- Calm, slow-moving water
Will Betta Fish Attack and Eat Red Cherry Shrimp?
Betta fish view shrimp as a food source and might eat some red cherry shrimp.
Bettas will likely eat shrimp fry and even smaller grown shrimp.
As for adult red cherry shrimp, bettas might leave them alone and coexist peacefully, as long as there is ample room for all, plenty of food and decorations, and the tank has good water conditions. However, some SIamese fighting fish might still eat or bully grown-up shrimp.
Males bettas are more likely to attack shrimp, and female bettas are more docile and might leave the shrimp be.
It would be impossible to breed shrimp in an aquarium with bettas because they will eat baby shrimp.
How to Keep Bettas and Red Cherry Shrimp Happy Together
Bettas are surface-dwelling fish. Your tank has to provide ample surface area for them to swim comfortably. A wide and shallow tank is more suitable than a tall narrow tank.
Shrimp take up little room and do not compete with bettas for swimming space. They stay out of the way, which is why bettas and shrimp usually get along well.
Provide Ample Space
Although shrimp do not need much space, a spacious tank helps both species feel comfortable and makes betta less likely to eat the shrimp.
If you have one betta or a small sorority of female bettas (4 fish) and a small colony of shrimp (ideally a few more than the number of bettas), you need a 10-gallon or bigger aquarium.
Keep Live Plants and Artificial Decorations
Live plants greatly benefit red cherry shrimp.
Plants provide a stable food source for shrimp and serve several other functions. Java moss, in particular, is a popular and easy aquarium plant for novice and experienced fish keepers.
Although bettas do fine with artificial decorations in the tank and live plants are not as important for them, plants benefit all aquarium dwellers overall in many ways:
- Natural plants are an excellent hiding place for all tank mates
- Plants oxygenate water, which stabilizes the acidity in the aquarium
- Plants purify the water by removing carbon dioxide and nitrates
- They also provide useful bacteria growth
- Shrimp in particular like to use plants as one of their food sources
Consider Establishing a Shrimp Colony Before Adding Bettas
It can be beneficial to allow your shrimp to live in an aquarium, stabilize the environment, and add betta fish later.
Establishing a small shrimp colony before adding fish allows the shrimp to settle down, create their ideal habitat, and feel more confident in the tank. They are less likely to experience stress and less likely to get eaten when bettas join
If you already have a betta tank and add the shrimp to an established aquarium, there are advantages to that scenario too. Shrimp are a fragile species. A tank with thriving fish indicates that it can provide a good environment for red cherry shrimp.
Maintain the Right Ratio of Bettas to Shrimp
It is best for the number of shrimp to exceed the number of bettas in the aquarium. Bettas are more likely to leave the shrimp alone if they are less numerous. A solo betta and several red cherry shrimp is fine for both species.
Make Sure the Shrimp Get Enough Food
Bettas are surface dwellers and they eat at the top of the aquarium. Therefore, they can eat some of the shrimp’s food, mostly the food of animal origin.
Observe that some shrimp food lands on the bottom of the tank so that is is available for the shrimp to eat.
Red cherry shrimp will use algae, plants, and debris as their food sources but their diet needs to be supplemented by small pieces of vegetables and commercial shrimp food.
To Conclude
Bettas and red cherry shrimp can be decent tank mates. If you are strategic, you can maintain the aquarium in a way that keeps the shrimp safe from your feisty betta or bettas.
Shrimp are also useful aquarium dwellers because they are so good at keeping the water and the tank clean.
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