Bettas with shrimp

By the Shrimp Tank Hub editorsUpdated Oct 25, 2026Research-based

The betta (Betta splendens, the Siamese fighting fish) is the fish people most often want to add to a shrimp tank, and the one the references are least sure about. It is a labyrinth fish from still, heavily vegetated waters in central Thailand that eats small invertebrates in the wild (Seriously Fish). That is the problem in one sentence: a dwarf shrimp is exactly the kind of food a betta is built to hunt.

Betta at a glance

Will a betta eat shrimp?

All the references say it depends on the individual fish:

• The Shrimp Farm (tankmates guide): rates bettas "may eat adult shrimp" and calls them wildcards. A well-fed betta in a densely planted tank, especially a long-finned type that swims less well, can coexist with larger shrimp such as Amanos and ghosts, and some keepers have had success with cherry shrimp.
• The Shrimp Farm (common myths): calls betta-safe shrimp "50/50": a betta may ignore shrimp for weeks or months, then clear the tank.
• Practical Fishkeeping: success comes down to individual personality and chance; some bettas ignore shrimp entirely, while others hunt whole colonies in days.
• Aquarium Co-Op: lists dwarf shrimp as not safe with bettas and says to be wary of adding a betta to a cherry shrimp tank.

So treat any betta and shrimp tank as an experiment. Even a peaceful betta will usually eat newborn shrimplets it finds, so a colony grows slowly at best. See cherry shrimp tank mates for safer fish.

Which shrimp have the best odds?

The odds column is our summary of the sources above, not a tested ranking. If you want to try cherry shrimp, start with an established, dense colony of inexpensive shrimp rather than a few costly ones.

Matching the water

Bettas and cherry shrimp overlap well on pH and hardness. Temperature is the main compromise, because bettas want warm water:

The shared zone is our comparison of the published ranges, not a tested target. Aquarium Co-Op says bettas are much more active around 80 °F and that a betta without a heater in a 67 to 69 °F room may become sick from the stress of being too cold, so a heater is needed; see nano tank heaters and shrimp tank temperature.

Tank size and setup

• Size: Aquarium Co-Op wants a betta in at least 5 to 10 gallons, and 10 to 20 gallons with lots of cover before adding tank mates. Seriously Fish suggests an 18 × 12 in base (about 11 gallons). For shrimp too, plan on 10 gallons or more; see how many shrimp per gallon.
• Dense cover: carpets of moss, stem plants and driftwood give shrimp places a betta can't reach; Seriously Fish recommends a well-planted, shady tank with tall stem plants and floating plants for bettas. See java moss and driftwood and botanicals.
• Gentle flow: both sources recommend a gentle sponge filter for bettas, which also keeps shrimplets out of the intake; see shrimp-safe filters.
• Lid and air gap: Seriously Fish says bettas jump, and need a covered tank not filled to the top so they can reach the humid air layer at the surface. See do shrimp need a lid.
• One betta only: Seriously Fish says only a single ornamental betta can be kept per tank in most cases.

Feeding both

• Keep the betta fed. The Shrimp Farm's success cases are well-fed bettas. Aquarium Co-Op feeds once a day, as much as the fish eats in one minute, with betta pellets and freeze-dried bloodworms.
• Don't overfeed. Seriously Fish says bettas are prone to obesity, and Aquarium Co-Op warns that a swollen belly can lead to constipation.
• Feed shrimp on the bottom: sinking shrimp food dropped into the plants, ideally after the betta has eaten. See best shrimp food.

How to try it

• Shrimp first. Practical Fishkeeping suggests letting the colony build up before adding fish, and a dense, settled colony has more places to hide.
• Mature tank: fully cycled and stable; see how to cycle a shrimp tank.
• Quarantine the betta separately. Practical Fishkeeping notes many fish medications are not safe for invertebrates; see how to quarantine and is copper toxic to shrimp.
• Watch the first weeks, and keep watching. The Shrimp Farm warns a betta may ignore shrimp for weeks or months before turning on them. Count shrimp regularly.
• Have a plan B. A spare jar or small tank lets you move the shrimp or the betta if hunting starts; see shrimp in a jar.

Common mistakes

• Adding a few expensive shrimp to a betta tank and hoping.
• A bare tank with no moss or dense plants.
• An unheated tank because the shrimp "don't need a heater".
• Assuming a calm first week means the betta is shrimp-safe.
• Medicating the betta in the shrimp tank.

Track it

Log temperature, pH, GH and TDS on the free Water Parameter Log printable so you can keep the tank in the range both species share.

Frequently asked questions

Can a betta live with cherry shrimp?

Sometimes. It depends on the individual betta: some ignore shrimp, others hunt a whole colony (Practical Fishkeeping, The Shrimp Farm). Aquarium Co-Op says dwarf shrimp are not safe with bettas, so treat it as a gamble.

Will a betta eat baby shrimp?

Almost certainly. Even bettas that leave adults alone usually eat shrimplets they find, so a colony grows slowly at best.

What shrimp is best with a betta?

Larger shrimp. The Shrimp Farm says well-fed bettas in dense tanks can coexist with Amano and ghost shrimp.

What size tank do a betta and shrimp need?

At least 10 gallons; Aquarium Co-Op suggests 10 to 20 gallons with lots of cover before adding tank mates to a betta tank.

What temperature works for a betta and shrimp?

About 76 to 80 °F. Bettas prefer about 80 °F (Aquarium Co-Op), and cherry shrimp tolerate up to about 85 °F (The Shrimp Farm).

My betta ignored the shrimp for weeks. Is it safe now?

Not necessarily. The Shrimp Farm says a betta may ignore shrimp for weeks or months before eating them all. Keep counting your shrimp.

Should I add the betta or the shrimp first?

The shrimp, in a cycled, densely planted tank, so the colony is established first (Practical Fishkeeping). Keep a backup tank ready.

Sources: Seriously Fish, Betta splendens (Siamese fighting fish) (central Thailand; still, sluggish, vegetated waters; preys on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates; 70 mm SL; base 45 × 30 cm, about 11 US gal; 22–30 °C, pH 6.0–8.0 for ornamental strains, 1–15 dGH; well-planted, shady tank with stem and floating plants; gentle air-powered sponge filter; covered tank not filled to the top, excellent jumper; prone to obesity; best kept alone, single individual per tank in most cases); Aquarium Co-Op, Care guide for betta fish (at least 5 to 10 gallons; dechlorinate; prefers about 80 °F, a heater is needed; gentle sponge filter; feed once a day what it eats in a minute; tank mates in 10 to 20 gallons with cover); Aquarium Co-Op, 5 best tank mates for betta fish (10 to 20 gallons with cover and plants for tank mates; temperament varies); Aquarium Co-Op, 5 best fish stocking ideas for small aquariums (dwarf shrimp are not safe with bettas or gouramis; shrimp-only 10- or 20-gallon tank is safest); Aquarium Co-Op, Top 12 tank mates for cherry shrimp (be wary of adding betta fish to cherry shrimp); The Shrimp Farm, Shrimp tankmates and compatibility (bettas are wildcards, may eat adult shrimp, 5+ gallons; well-fed, densely planted, long-finned bettas can coexist with larger shrimp such as Amanos and ghosts, some success with cherries, no guarantees; fragile species best kept alone); The Shrimp Farm, Common myths in the shrimp hobby (betta-safe shrimp is 50/50; may ignore shrimp for weeks or months, then eat them all); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (bettas come down to personality and chance; some ignore shrimp, others hunt colonies in days; shrimp first; many medications not invertebrate-safe). Cherry shrimp ranges from our cherry shrimp care guide (The Shrimp Farm). Checked October 25, 2026.