Marine Bettas, Good or Bad

[dmweise]

My fire shrimp and skunk shrimp are actually about the same size as my coral banded shrimp. I think they should be okay.

[msmith619]

My fire shrimp and skunk shrimp are actually about the same size as my coral banded shrimp. I think they should be okay.

Not likely. The marine betas get at least 6 inches in length and any ornamental shrimp will disappear. Never under estimate the size prey a grouper can swallow. They can eat fish 1/2 their size or sometimes even bigger. Shrimp and other crustaceans are their primary food. If you like your ornamental shrimp, get a different tank for them or the beta.

[OrionN]

I had cleaner shrimps without problem in my tank. My MB was large, certainly more than 6 inches including the tail. I think you want the shrimp in before the MB, then they will be fine.

[Kristy]

I have no experience with marine bettas, but I've watched my hawk fish tear apart a cleaner shrimp from limb to limb that was as big as the hawk fish. This was after several months of peaceful co-existence in our 100g tank, then one day the hawk discovered what delicous treats were hidden in the tank. Hard to fight nature.

The point being, if the shrimp are more important to you than the betta, you may want to hold off. The marine betta may or may not leave the shrimp alone; just the chance you take.

[OrionN]

I got my Marine Beta pair with lots of small fish, Yellow citron goby (these guys are only about .75 inch), fire fish, cleaner shrimp, orchid dottyback. All of these for 5 plus years without problem. I did have a 450 g system. IME as long as the small fish and shrimp are in the tank first and as long as the MB are well fed, there will be no problem