If you're looking for a suitable tankmate for your Betta fish, you may have come across dwarf crayfish as an option. Most shrimp dwarf shrimp make an easy Betta fish snack, but does the same go for a dwarf cray? And will the crayfish leave the Betta alone? Find out all about keeping a dwarf crayfish and Betta together!

Can a dwarf crayfish and Betta fish live together?

The short answer is yes. Dwarf crayfish and Betta fish can live together, as long as you take the measures required to ensure both species get what they need. This is great news, because there aren't all that many possible tankmates for Betta fish.

Now, remember that we're talking about dwarf crayfish here. These small crays from the American genus Cambarellus are much smaller than most of the other crayfish kept in aquariums, like the much bigger and more aggressive ghost crayfish. One of those would snap your slow-moving Betta right up for lunch, without a second thought.

The great thing about dwarf crays is that they're not just smaller, but also a lot less feisty than their larger cousins. Sure, they can be a little territorial toward their own species, and they're not afraid to raise their pincers at a bigger tankmate. However, we've never heard of them actually going for a Betta fish. Their way of dealing with a nippy Betta usually consists of shooting backward through the water until they reach their hide!

Types of suitable dwarf crayfish

You may have heard of the CPO crayfish (also known as Mexican dwarf crayfish, or Cambarellus patzcuarensis 'Orange'). By far the most common of the dwarf crays, this one is popular in the aquarium hobby due to its bright color and the fact that it can be kept in smaller aquariums. A 10-gallon tank would be enough to keep one or two with a Betta, no problem.

However, the CPO isn't the only option. A few other dwarf crayfish you may stumble upon at your local fish store include:

  • Blue Brazos dwarf crayfish (Cambarellus texanus): appreciated for its selectively bred blue color.
  • Least crayfish (Cambarellus diminutus): the smallest at only 1", and therefore also the safest.
  • Cajun dwarf crayfish (Cambarellus shufeldtii): sandy to blueish or orange-ish in color.
  • Swamp dwarf crayfish (Cambarellus puer): neutral tan in color.
  • Montezuma dwarf crayfish (Cambarellus montezumae): popular as food in Mexico, but also very suitable for the aquarium.

You can find more information about all of these species in the full post on dwarf crayfish.

Split image with two CPO dwarf crayfish on top and a Betta fish on the bottom, with a text saying: Can a dwarf crayfish and Betta live together?

Dwarf crayfish and Betta cohabitation tips

As mentioned earlier, it's important to make sure both your Betta and your dwarf crayfish are comfortable. Luckily, one great characteristic of crayfish is that they're very adaptable, so you'll be able to get away with mostly adapting the water values, décor and food choices to the somewhat more finicky Betta.

Here are some things to consider:

Water parameters

Although the water parameter ranges for dwarf crayfish and Betta fish aren't identical, they do overlap. The table below shows the ideal range for both, plus the parameters you can keep your tank at if you have both.

Obviously, the aquarium itself should always be fully cycled. Although both species are relatively hardy, neither of them should be exposed to ammonia or nitrite. Nitrates should preferably be kept under 10 by means of regular water changes.

Lastly, remember that stability is more important than specific water values. If the GH, TDS or KH are a little on the high side, that's fine. It's only when the KH falls to 3 or under that problems may occur, as this can cause dangerous swings in pH that disrupt the balance and cause health issues in your fish and invertebrates.

Cambarellus crayfishBetta fishOverlap
Temperature65-80 °F75-85 °F75-80 °F
pH6.5-8.06.0-7.56.5-7.5
TDS100-50050-350100-350
GH3-183-63-6
KH3-153-53-5
Note: the least crayfish (Cambarellus diminutus) likes more acidic water. But so do Bettas, so no problem!

Décor

One of the best ways to further eliminate the risk of squabbles breaking out between your dwarf crayfish and Betta fish is to fill the aquarium with plenty of décor. Both species will appreciate this.

Crayfish love having access to plenty of caves and hides. Bettas like lots of vegetation and leaf litter, which imitates their shallow and overgrown natural habitats. So don't hold back! Consider adding the following:

Don't worry about stuffing the tank too much. As long as there's some swimming room for the Betta, it's pretty much impossible to overdo it. And don't worry if the water turns a tea color: that's caused by the leaf litter. Your Betta in particular will really appreciate it.

Diet

Betta fish are almost exclusively carnivorous, although it's said they'll occasionally nibble at algae. Crayfish, on the other hand, are omnivores. They'll eat pretty much anything they can get their claws on, although it's important for them to receive enough calcium to be able to molt properly.

Luckily, getting the right nutrients into both of these species is not too difficult. Bettas' upturned mouths reveal that they're mostly surface feeders, so you can give yours high-quality small floating Betta pellets. Crayfish are bottom feeders, so while the Betta is busy with its pellets, you can sneak it some sinking shrimp food.

Frequently asked questions

Can Betta fish live with cherry shrimp?

As described in the article on Betta fish and cherry shrimp cohabitation, it depends on the Betta. Most will at least snag baby cherry shrimp, but if your population reproduces quickly, this may not be problematic.

What fish can live with Betta fish?

There are few species that work well with Betta fish. You can try combining them with small bottom feeders like pygmy Corydoras or Otocinclus. They may also play nice with larger shrimp like Amano shrimp, or with snails like the red racer nerite.

Don't forget...

Before we conclude, we want to mention that although we've never heard of any serious issues between dwarf crayfish and Betta fish, there can always be exceptions. As you may know, for example, Betta fish aggression levels are highly individual. Make sure you have a plan B ready - always a good idea when it comes to fishkeeping!

If you'd like to add some other critters to your dwarf crayfish and Betta fish aquarium, you can do so as long as there is enough space available. You could consider:

Watson, C. A., DiMaggio, M., Hill, J. E., Tuckett, Q. M., & Yanong, R. P. (2019). Evolution, culture, and Care for Betta splendens: FA212, 3/2019. Edis, 2019(2).