I am new to the hobby, and have set up my first tank - a nano tank (6 gallons) for a betta fish. When I bought my betta I also decided to get a plant which was in one of the tanks in the fish shop. I made sure to rinse it off (I'd had issues with snail infestations when I was cycling the tank), but when I put it in my tank an amano shrimp darted out! No idea how he hung on in there because I rinsed it pretty thoroughly. The shrimp, Trevor, has been living in harmony with my betta, Colin, for about 2 weeks, and the water has been great. But I feel bad because I know amano shrimps are supposed to live in small groups and he's probably lonely. But I won't be able to get more because my tank is only big enough for my betta, and I'm not in the position to get a bigger tank at the moment. What do I do!
New freshwater tank dilemma. Please help!
- Thread starter katv
- Start date
Welcome Katv!
I'd stay the course if you're OK with the pair and the pair is doing fine. Typically bettas actively pursue and eat shrimp anyway.
I'd stay the course if you're OK with the pair and the pair is doing fine. Typically bettas actively pursue and eat shrimp anyway.
Yeah, if it's working now, you're probably ok. I've never kept Amanos but shrimp have a low "bioload" so I bet you "could" add another or even 2 since your betta doesn't bother Trevor...but wait to make sure Colin stays mellow. Some bettas are more relaxed than others toward tankmates. What other décor do you have to help the shrimp hide?
That's so cool he survived your rinsing. What is this miracle plant? Post a pic if you don't know, we can help w/id. & of course we'd like to see Colin & Trevor too.
That's so cool he survived your rinsing. What is this miracle plant? Post a pic if you don't know, we can help w/id. & of course we'd like to see Colin & Trevor too.
My betta has not shown any aggression at all towards the shrimp! They just leave each other alone really. The shrimp spends a lot of time hiding in the tank - I think in the plant he was originally hiding in when I brought him home - so perhaps that is why the lack of aggression?I think I will get another shrimp to keep my current one company (even if it means slightly more water changes) and hopefully all will still be harmonious.
Here are some photos of my betta (Colin), shrimp (Trevor) chilling on an almond leaf, and you can see the planted driftwood which Trevor somehow managed to survive rinsing.
Very pretty boy! That front plant doesn't look like any I know, I think it may not really be aquatic. Nice tank!
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You should be fine adding more shrimp. They don't add much to the bio load, especially with plants in there. In a lot of ways they negate the need for lots of water changes. Add a small sponge filter for the shrimp to feed on and help with filtration and you'll be golden. Bettas will eat shrimp though so try not to get too attached to them. Though, if you're anything like me, you'll be rooting for the shrimp. We get 20 ghost shrimp every few weeks for our goldfish and I always root for the shrimp to make it- LOL. None have made it so far though. The goldfish are over a year old and about 9" and those girls eat everything. Shrimp and even feeder guppies don't stand a chance. I have a 5G with a betta and about 20 guppies (1 adult, 11-ish teens and the rest new fry) and Sam has left them all alone. He was curious about the small Pleco when we put him in there to clean the tank but everyone was fine & the water levels didn't change. I have a small sponge filter & some plants in that tank and do a 25% water change about once a week. But yeah- adding some shrimp shouldn't be an issue.