Nebula the serial killer...

I got a new crowntail betta, Nebula, a week ago and added him into my well established 30 litre tank. The tank had been home and my first veiltail betta, Kiedis, who lived relatively peacefully with some Red Cherry Shrimp for just over 3 years until he died.

Anyway Nebula seemed spritely and got to work right away chasing shrimp and checking out his new home. I didn't think much of it as he's quite small and didn't seem large enough to eat a shrimp, plus shrimp are pretty quick, I thought he'd get used to them and just ignore them after a while. Boy was I wrong!

This morning I thought something was different with the tank. Then on closer look I noticed (parts of) shrimp bodies everywhere. The little bugger has been on a killing spree!!!

I'm quite upset as the shrimp colony was well established and thriving. I had at least 30 that came from an original 6. Now there are just a couple of scared looking survivors that I can see :-( I guess it's only a matter of time before they go too! I'm just amazed he's killed or scared to death at least 20 shrimp in a week!!!

I'm not sure what to do. Should I just accept the fact Nebula didn't take well to having tank mates, or should I try to save what few shrimp I have? I don't have any extra tanks to put them or him in. I can switch him and my other betta Frost around. Frost is an EE delta and a bit slower than Nebula. However I don't want stress either of them by moving them again after just a week. Should I just accept the fact I can't have shrimp anymore?

 

I'd switch them, considering you've had the shrimp for 3years and all, I'd try and save the rest.

 

True. Is there any precautions I'd need to take with switching them, like should I do a water change before or after switching them? Or can I just do a straight switch and acclimate them into the tanks? I'm hoping Frost won't be as aggressive and quick and the shrimp population could bounce back with him in the tank...

 

Are both tanks sitting at the same parameters? Ammonia, nitrites, pH, and temperature?

 

I'd wait to do a waterchange until the day after the switch. I'd put them both in a container for 45 minutes in the water(floating) and put a table spoon off new tank water in their container every 5 minutes.

 

Nebulas tank is fully cycled, Frost's is still cycling and unfortunately I had to get a new filter when the last betta in his tank died from a parasite (I tore down the tank and completely sterilised everything in hot water, vinegar and let it dry in the sunlight, I replaced the gravel, filter and plants as a precaution).

 

Nebulas tank is fully cycled, Frost's is still cycling and unfortunately I had to get a new filter when the last betta in his tank died from a parasite (I tore down the tank and completely sterilised everything in hot water, vinegar and let it dry in the sunlight, I replaced the gravel, filter and plants as a precaution).

That would complicate things then I'm sorry, but I'm afraid to give any further advice

 

Hmm. Could you buy some bacteria or move some filter media into Frost's tank?

 

I can't move any bacteria so will need to buy some, can't really do that until the weekend though

 

Well until then, do you have a breeder net or something you could use to separate them?

 

No unfortunately not

 

Ok, well I've got one more idea, how about floating Nebula in a tubble ware container?

 

I could do that, however I'm concerned that it will be a stressful environment for him... going from a nice big tank to a tiny plain container for several days. It's hard, I feel like I need to choose shrimp or fish well-being!

 

Yeah this is a really tough decision! What about moving the shrimp to Frost's tank? I'm not familiar with shrimp so I'm not sure if they'd be good to go in an unicycled tank.

 

I think I'll have to race out at lunch today and try to find some bacteria, there's a shop nearby that sells some sachem products. Is sachem stability a good type of bacteria?

 

I don't know, I'm sorry, the only ones I've used are marine land bacteria and TSS(I believe). Marine land seems to work really well. Someone else would have to tell you about Sachem.

 

Generally, I see seachem getting smaller shelf space than API and Tetra, so you may have options. Rooting that you do.

Seachem, I believe, is bottled bacteria meant more for daily doses in the cycle.

Tetra Safe Start Plus, is a pour once and run with it product for cycling. There's also directions for water change supplement, but I don't believe for small dose while cycling.

Haven't heard much about Marineland or the API brand ones.

 

See if you can grab a breeder's net in case you have another incident with your boys.

 

I managed to get some Pisces brand bacteria, here's hoping it works! I've switched them and both seem pretty happy.

Here's Nebula in his new home (minus tankmates):



And here's Frost not murdering shrimp in his new home:

 

To ananswer the stability question, it's something you add daily for a week. I have personally been happy with its results. Hopefully the one you got works well too. Perfect example of why the common answer to tank mates is it depends on the betta. I'm sorry for the little shrimp. You could try a few nerites with him. Mine also had a taste for shrimp but has generally failed at going after snails.

 

Glad things worked out. you've got some very beautiful betas!

 

I'm also going to try and add shrimps as tank mates to my one and only betta, hoping they could work it out! If not will transfer the shrimps to a larger tank along with cardinals and tetras.