Marine betta

smcquary · Feb 14, 2018

I see the marine betta is reef compatible except it might eat shrimp. Will they eat a skunk cleaner shrimp or let it be?

Thanks

Dsnakes · Feb 14, 2018

I have heard of them eating lots of things, to include other small fish. I would be hesitant

eatbreakfast · Feb 14, 2018

Depends on the size of the betta and the shrimp. But I have actually had them behave well with even very small fish. IME they are shrimp specialists.

Jesterrace · Feb 15, 2018

I was going to add one until I saw they posed a risk to my cleaner shrimp. I can live with losing the occasional hermit crab or snail, but losing the cleaner shrimp would definitely be a deal breaker for me.

mort · Feb 15, 2018

My betta coexisted with two cleaners for a year or so. It would take the odd lunge at them because they annoyed it or tried to take its food. They were similar sizes but when the betta got just a little bigger he took them out in two days. It may have been because I was away and it missed a couple of meals but I knew it could happen and was cycling another tank for them at the time (I simply thought they were too big at that time as they were fully grown).
The betta is now 7" or so I'd limit the fish I put with it if I were to ever add anything but apart from shrimps and a couple of emerald crabs (which I found dead with it hanging around), I've never lost cuc like hermits or snails to it. It has eaten all my bristle worms though.

JCM · Feb 15, 2018

mort said:
My betta coexisted with two cleaners for a year or so. It would take the odd lunge at them because they annoyed it or tried to take its food. They were similar sizes but when the betta got just a little bigger he took them out in two days. It may have been because I was away and it missed a couple of meals but I knew it could happen and was cycling another tank for them at the time (I simply thought they were too big at that time as they were fully grown).
The betta is now 7" or so I'd limit the fish I put with it if I were to ever add anything but apart from shrimps and a couple of emerald crabs (which I found dead with it hanging around), I've never lost cuc like hermits or snails to it. It has eaten all my bristle worms though.

7"?! Wow, that's big! I had one for about 8 years, she never got past 5". She was awesome, out all the time, ate pellets out of my feeding ring, coexisted with plenty of small fishes like wrasses and firefish.

And would absolutely eat cleaner shrimp!

mort · Feb 15, 2018

Mccool said:
7"?! Wow, that's big! I had one for about 8 years, she never got past 5". She was awesome, out all the time, ate pellets out of my feeding ring, coexisted with plenty of small fishes like wrasses and firefish.

And would absolutely eat cleaner shrimp!

Roughly 7" but that's including the massive tail. It was handpicked out of 50 or so at the wholesaler as it was the most outgoing one there. It now eats out of my fingers but only has two true Darwin clowns as tankmates (fishwise). I have seen a few larger ones out there and if you see the potential of them you soon forget about shrimps

JCM · Feb 15, 2018

mort said:
Roughly 7" but that's including the massive tail. It was handpicked out of 50 or so at the wholesaler as it was the most outgoing one there. It now eats out of my fingers but only has two true Darwin clowns as tankmates (fishwise). I have seen a few larger ones out there and if you see the potential of them you soon forget about shrimps

Completely agree. She was always a favorite of mine (along with my leopard). Totally worth going without shrimp

Mark Gray · Feb 15, 2018

Interesting I have always wanted one of these fish but have never had one. I was thinking about putting one in my new build but if I do I will try and get a captive breed one but I do like my shrimp. Thinking now

JCM · Feb 15, 2018

They are not aggressive fish at all, they won't bully anyone. But they ARE predators so keep that in mind when stocking one.

CPL376 · Feb 16, 2018

I love mine but I don't have any shrimp. Mine seems to be very shy but doesn't hide when I work in the tank.

ncaldwell · Feb 16, 2018

Mine is full grown with 3 peppermints, 2 fire shrimp, 1 cleaner, and a trio of tiny chromis. No issues for almost 2 years. Hasn't even looked at the little scrimps

mort · Feb 17, 2018

ncaldwell said:
Mine is full grown with 3 peppermints, 2 fire shrimp, 1 cleaner, and a trio of tiny chromis. No issues for almost 2 years. Hasn't even looked at the little scrimps

How big is full grown? I've seen 8 inches or so mentioned but not seen one quite thar big. Just wondering as mine has reached 7" in about 4 years (so probably a year or two older than that when I got it), and know they can live for 20 odd years and that it's growth is likely very slow from now on.

Lesley Sullivan · Feb 17, 2018

Mine is one of my absolute favorites. They are so underrated and have a subtle, mysterious beauty. Mine is about 5 inches and would take down any shrimps in a heartbeat! Very peaceful nature otherwise.