Serious shrimp problem!

[dougie]

My friend has a betta and a few amano shrimp in a three gallon tank. The betta is getting really agressive and is trying to nip at the shrimp sometime. However, its hard to tell if the betta is seriously attempting to hurt them. My friend just noticed that one of the shrimp has the lower section of its arm missing. Will it grow back? Is it in pain? Please answer as soon as possible-thanks!

[Madcrawdad]

I would suspect that if he's nipping and one of the shrimp is missing appendages he means business

[Squawkbert]

Bettas are not generally shy about trying to eat inverts. (I bet your friend has never had a snail problem either).

[quadpants]

Yes it will grow back but the shrimp will soon be fish food. Especially when it is molting time.

[DaveinSF]

I think that the 3 gallon might be a bit small if your friend has more than a few amanos.

I have a female betta, four otocinclus, two small cories, and six amano shrimp in a well planted 10 gallon tank. I've had no problems with the betta attacking the shrimp, though she is a bully and a glutton when it comes to food.

Just give your shrimp plenty of places to hide if they need to. Most of my shrimp just hang out on plant leaves or cruise the bottom, unafraid of the betta. Even without the betta, foliage and hiding places are recommended for your shrimp, especially after they molt.