Ghost Shrimp and Betta | Can They Live Together?

Have a Betta fish and are wondering whether you can add any tankmates to the aquarium? You may have heard of people keeping ghost shrimp and Betta fish together. But is that a good idea? What about the stories of ghost shrimp attacking Bettas, or vice versa?

Below, find out everything you need to know about combining ghost shrimp and Betta fish. Peaceful cohabitation is possible, but you do need to keep a few things in mind!

Can ghost shrimp and Betta fish live together?

The short answer to this question is yes, ghost shrimp and Bettas can live together. However, pay attention, because things are a little more complicated in practice...

The long answer is that TRUE ghost shrimp and Betta fish can live together. However, not all shrimp sold as "ghost shrimp" in pet stores are actually true ghost shrimp. The term is a bit of a catch-all for transparent freshwater shrimp, not all of which are docile.

What you're after are freshwater species of the genus Palaemonetes. These are ACTUAL ghost shrimp, also called American glass shrimp or grass shrimp. What you're NOT after are species of the genus Macrobrachium, like Macrobrachium lanchesteri. These grow much too large and can attack your Betta fish.

True Palaemonetes ghost shrimp can co-exist peacefully with Betta fish. Your mileage may vary depending on your Betta's hunting instincts—some can't be kept with any tankmates, while others make great neighbors—but with the right measures, the combo could work well.

Do ghost shrimp make good “janitors”?

Yes. One of the reasons people keep ghost shrimp with Betta fish is that they can help maintain a healthy, tidy aquarium. Shrimp are detrivores, so your ghost will feed on things like leftover food, dead plant bits, algae, and micro-organisms. It might even pick at Betta poop!

Of course, you shouldn't rely on a shrimp to do your aquarium maintenance for you. That's your job. Still, given their low bioload, a ghost shrimp can at least help you out.

Do ghost shrimp make good Betta food?

If you can find juvenile ghost shrimp, your Betta may be interested in eating them (heck, some are interested in eating full-grown adult shrimp, too). Given that the Betta's wild ancestors feed on various bugs, ghost shrimp do indeed make a good meal for your fish.

Keep in mind that a Betta that's been snacking on ghost shrimp doesn't need a large regular meal. Remove any uneaten shrimp parts within 12 hours to prevent them from rotting and fouling the water.

Setting up a ghost shrimp and Betta tank

As mentioned, ghost shrimp and Betta fish cohabitation can work out if you manage to find true ghost shrimp and your Betta has a mellow disposition. Ghost shrimp are unfussy and can thrive in the same water parameters as a Betta.

Here are some basic care guidelines to help ensure a peaceful roommate situation.

Tank size

Although both Betta fish and ghost shrimp are often recommended for ultra-nano "tanks" as tiny as 1 gallon, we strongly recommend against this. Not only is the water volume too small to be able to maintain a stable nitrogen cycle, but it also puts the fish and shrimp in much too close quarters.

To make sure everyone has room to move and your ghost shrimp can hide if your Betta is in a nippy mood, it's a good idea to go for an aquarium of 10 gallons or larger.

Water parameters

Both Bettas and ghost shrimp are pretty unfussy when it comes to water parameters. That's why both species are so popular in the aquarium hobby. Still, they need clean water, so the tank should always be fully cycled. You should perform small weekly water changes.

A good water parameter range that suits both these species would be:

• pH: 7-7.5
• Temperature: 75-82 °F
• TDS: 100-300

Hiding places

Tank size and water parameters in order? Great! Now you just have to make sure your Betta and ghost shrimp don't bother each other. The shrimp in particular need plenty of hides, as they molt regularly. After molting, they're very vulnerable for at least a few hours while their new exoskeleton hardens. Your shrimp will be a sitting duck for the Betta during this time if it can't hide.

First off, as is recommended for Bettas in general, add plenty of décor to break the lines of sight and give your fish a large and interesting territory to patrol. Live plants, driftwood, rocks and leaf litter all work well for this.

Next, just to be sure, add a bunch of shrimp tubes and flats. These are specifically meant for shrimp to hide out in when they feel the need to, so your ghost shrimp will appreciate them if it feels harassed.

Tip: You can find more information about ghost shrimp and what they need to thrive in our full ghost shrimp care guide.

Frequently asked questions

Conclusion

Keeping ghost shrimp and Bettas together can work. Just make sure you find true ghost shrimp of the genus Palaemonetes (not Macrobrachium) and set up an aquarium where both species can have their space.

As always in the aquarium hobby, there's no absolute guarantee of success—but hey, if things do go wrong, at least ghost shrimp are cheap and make a nutritious meal for your Betta.