Ghost Shrimp with Betta 5 gal

Any specific necessities the shrimp need? I keep the tank at 80, is mostly planted (2 large anubias), bridge, rocks and driftwood. I will be getting java ferns in the future. Any other tips for keeping ghosts with a betta? My betta doesn’t seem that aggressive, never flared at his own reflection, never bit me or shown aggression towards my hand being in the tank. I’d say he’s more mild tempered. He’s very active, but never hangs out near the bottom of the tank. Any advice appreciated.

Aside from adding more plants, should I add smaller caves my betta can’t fit into fit extra protection?

 

I just put ghost shrimp in my betta tank. He chases them around but my ghost shrimp just wave their legs at him then go hide. I put a bunch of leaf litter in and they hide under that. Everyone is still alive

 

I just put ghost shrimp in my betta tank. He chases them around but my ghost shrimp just wave their legs at him then go hide. I put a bunch of leaf litter in and they hide under that. Everyone is still alive

I have some large Indian almond leaves and a low bridge. Do you think that would be enough for them to hid in? I just wonder if I should add an xxsml cave for them or something.

 

I forgot to add 3/4 ghost shrimp are gigantic shrimp so they def won’t fit in his mouth. I put in small leaves. Big ones are probably better. The little shrimp hides underneath all the leaves and I feed him shrimp pellet with tongs lol and it’s fine

 

I forgot to add 3/4 ghost shrimp are gigantic shrimp so they def won’t fit in his mouth. I put in small leaves. Big ones are probably better. The little shrimp hides underneath all the leaves and I feed him shrimp pellet with tongs lol and it’s fine

Thanks. I was also wondering if the shrimp needed a specific substrate. I read sand was good, I currently just have gravel.

What about rock shrimp? Are they compatible? I’ve seen large ones at my store

 

I have them in 3 of my tanks and every one of my ghost shrimps are still alive from the day I got them, I count them. 2 tanks are sand, ones white, other is pfs. 3rd tank is gravel

 

In nature they burrow in the mud in individual burrows so you need a lot of hiding spots. Leaf litter (dead oak leaves or magnolia) works great. Caves can be dangerous to bettas. I have no betta with mine but my ghosties like to nibble on driftwood, leaf litter, betta food, dead plants and bacterial and algal biofilm growing on sponge filter. Mine became really active and berried up when I added water lettuce- maybe felt safer? but this can be hard to find.

 

In nature they burrow in the mud in individual burrows so you need a lot of hiding spots. Leaf litter (dead oak leaves or magnolia) works great. Caves can be dangerous to bettas. I have no betta with mine but my ghosties like to nibble on driftwood, leaf litter, betta food, dead plants and bacterial and algal biofilm growing on sponge filter. Mine became really active and berried up when I added water lettuce- maybe felt safer? but this can be hard to find.

See that’s what I figured and I was worried my tank didn’t have enough hiding spots. My gravel is like 1inch deep, so would you recommend a finer substrate? How can I safely replace my gravel? My tank literally just finished its first cycle and I don’t want to mess it up.

 

In nature they burrow in the mud in individual burrows so you need a lot of hiding spots. Leaf litter (dead oak leaves or magnolia) works great. Caves can be dangerous to bettas. I have no betta with mine but my ghosties like to nibble on driftwood, leaf litter, betta food, dead plants and bacterial and algal biofilm growing on sponge filter. Mine became really active and berried up when I added water lettuce- maybe felt safer? but this can be hard to find.

Did your berried ghosts have her babies? I’ve been wondering if it was possible without brackish water

 

Did your berried ghosts have her babies? I’ve been wondering if it was possible without brackish water

Speaking of water conditions, I have softish, slightly acidic (6.5-7) water full of almond leaf tannins. Will the ghost shrimp approve?

 

Aside from adding more plants, should I add smaller caves my betta can’t fit into fit extra protection?

I would recommend lots of grass type plants like carpet or ground covering plants for the shrimp to hide in. I do not recommend you get a small cave. I have shrimp and they don't really use any caves, plus your betta may try to squeeze himself inside. You could try getting mineral balls for shrimp and snails if you really wanted to go the extra mile with calcium, they are very cheap on Amazon. Your water is very good, they would definitely approve.

 

I would recommend lots of grass type plants like carpet or ground covering plants for the shrimp to hide in. I do not recommend you get a small cave. I have shrimp and they don't really use any caves, plus your betta may try to squeeze himself inside. You could try getting mineral balls for shrimp and snails if you really wanted to go the extra mile with calcium, they are very cheap on Amazon. Your water is very good, they would definitely approve.

It’s hard to find live moss in my city. You wouldn’t happen to know reputable online sources in Ontario, Canada? I guess I’ll substitute with leaf litter for the moment.

 

I am American I wouldn't really know anywhere in Canada, but I have a friend who buys java moss from The Plant Guy online, you could try there.

They also sell it at Petco/Petsmart.

 

I am American I wouldn't really know anywhere in Canada, but I have a friend who buys java moss from The Plant Guy online, you could try there.

They also sell it at Petco/Petsmart.

Not at the petsmart in my city but ty I’ll check online.

 

No need to replace substrate- just lots of natural hiding spots... Ghost shrimp don’t need brackish water but have read they will eat the babies..we’ll see! They can be found naturally in ponds in the us.

 

I was wondering if I could put 2 ghost shrimp with my betta fish in his 5.5 gallon tank. Would he attack them? He's a veiltail. Halfmoon, I know is a more peaceful breed than veiltail. Also, what should I feed them? Thanks.

 

Being a halfmoon doesn't really mean he'll be less aggressive. He may have more difficulty catching a shrimp with his tail though. It depends on the individual betta. All of mine have been fine with shrimp, though other peoples bettas will gobble them up. You won't know if he'll attack them until you add them. Even if he accepts them, he'll likely chase them at first. So make sure they have somewhere to hide. Ghosts are a cheap option to test him out though.

If you go for them I'd leave the lights off for the day to let them settle in in peace.

 

This guy ate all of my shrimp! I still love him though. He is a Wal-Mart rescue: his water was filthy and he was near death when I bought him.

 

I was wondering if I could put 2 ghost shrimp with my betta fish in his 5.5 gallon tank.

If it was me I would get a couple as you have to remember also not all fish have the same tendencies and they could get on great and Feohw as given excellent advice besides.

 

This guy ate all of my shrimp! I still love him though. He is a Wal-Mart rescue: his water was filthy and he was near death when I bought him.

I see these colours in the Aquariums and they do look stunning and he looks great in health

 

I don’t know anything about shrimp, but FYI, just because a fish has a certain tail type, doesn’t mean they’ll behave a certain way. The differences between them aren’t behavioral per se, but fish with smaller/shorter/narrower/lighter tails may be more active - and therefore more able to catch shrimp - than those with larger/longer/wider/heavier tails

 

I see these colours in the Aquariums and they do look stunning and he looks great in health

What should I feed them? Do they need anything special?

My betta is pretty territorial. He had a ten gallon before I moved him in the 5.5. When I introduced him to a few fish all he did was flare, flare, flare. Then they nipped him and I decided to move him.

 

What should I feed them? Do they need anything special?

I don't have a Betta personally but i'm learning a fare bit about them as I find them stunning but this link mentions what food they love plus members with them maybe able to help you more.

Best Feeding Practices from FishLore Betta Experts Please! | Betta Fish 441897

 

It really depends on the betta. Every betta is different regardless of their tail lengths or not .

If you do try it , I'd recommend having lots of hiding places for them !

 

It really depends on the betta. Every betta is different regardless of their tail lengths or not .

If you do try it , I'd recommend having lots of hiding places for them !

What do shrimp eat? Can they eat my flake food?

 

What do shrimp eat?

Shrimps eat Algae out the the tank and mine one ghost shrimp loves my granule bug bite food I buy for my fish.

 

Shrimps eat Algae out the the tank and mine one ghost shrimp loves my granule bug bite food I buy for my fish.

Where can I get algae?

 

Where can I get algae?

It's in your tank it's what builds up on glass, gravel ornaments etc it's the good bacteria your actual tank holds and you also know when your shrimp is healthy is when it molts regular.

 

What do shrimp eat? Can they eat my flake food?

Shrimp eat everythingand anything basically . They help eat left over food that sunk, eat algae, they eat dead plant leaves for you . If you don't happen to have any food buildup , then you can always buy some algae wafers.

Shrimp do love vegetables too! Cucumber and broccolI are a hit. You have to buy fresh veggies, boil them , dump in cold water , drop in tank and they're crawl all over it.

You can also try a homemade gelatin vegetable cubes which I made and they LOVED it .

 

Shrimp eat everythingand anything basically . They help eat left over food that sunk, eat algae, they eat dead plant leaves for you . If you don't happen to have any food buildup , then you can always buy some algae wafers.

Shrimp do love vegetables too! Cucumber and broccolI are a hit. You have to buy fresh veggies, boil them , dump in cold water , drop in tank and they're crawl all over it.

You can also try a homemade gelatin vegetable cubes which I made and they LOVED it .

Please explain these gelatin cubes!

 

Shrimp eat everythingand anything basically . They help eat left over food that sunk, eat algae, they eat dead plant leaves for you . If you don't happen to have any food buildup , then you can always buy some algae wafers.

Shrimp do love vegetables too! Cucumber and broccolI are a hit. You have to buy fresh veggies, boil them , dump in cold water , drop in tank and they're crawl all over it.

You can also try a homemade gelatin vegetable cubes which I made and they LOVED it .

Can I give them my flake food?

 

Can I give them my flake food?

Sure, check for copper in the ingredients though.

 

Sure, check for copper in the ingredients though.

There is no copper in it.

 

Please explain these gelatin cubes!

I used this recipe!

Gel Fish Food

I used veggies only, no meat or spices like the recipe does, but you can if youd like tho or experiment with other food!

Also make sure when you boil & blanch the veggies , condition the water before!

You basically take fresh boiled veggies,blanch veggies, puree them, mix with gelatin , let sit overnight .
I had to experiment with the recipe myself, mostly the gelatin since I never used it before lol but it is easy to make and I enjoy watching my fish and snails go crazy on it!