Cherry Shrimp Tank...

[PRW1988]

Well I'm getting my 5 gallon aquarium back from my gf, she's decided her 55's enough for her (not for me XD). So I'm thinking about doing a Cherry Shrimp tank. Is 5 gallons too small for them? Also, is there any species of fish I could put in with them. Even a betta fish, though I'd rather not lol.

Tank specs: (as planned)

5 gallon hex

about 14-16" tall, 12" wide.

Sand: Black

Plants: Java Fern, Java Moss. <-- Any other suggestions please.

Stock: I figured 12 Cherry Shrimp and like 1 or 2 Oto cats and a betta<--- Mabye if it won't eat the shrimp.


If anybody has any suggestions please let me know

 

[BethK]

Female bettas would be ok in that, you could put one female in there, she would get on with the shrimp.

Or what about an african dwarf frog?

 

[Theplayboy]

Or some galaxy rasboras, they would be safer with the shrimp.

 

[kizno1]

Sounds fine to me but ottos need to be in groups of 3+. Male or female betta will be fine. I personally would keep a pair of small wild bettas in there i think there alot nicer. Or go for 6 endlers or galaxy rasbora instead of the betta.

 

[PRW1988]

Perfect. After doing some research I've decided to actually go with Ghost Shrimp as they're cheaper. I will try the Cherry Shrimp, but only once I know I'm not going to end up killing them. Also, I'm putting in the Female Betta as I have one that has only a 1 gallon bowl. But now she shares the 5 gallon
Would a snail be better for the algea than 3 otto cats?

 

[ellena]

Snail would fit the tank better than otos. I found with an apple snail though, that it did nothing but poo-I was so sick of clearing up after it, I got rid of it for free on here! I had light sand, maybe with black it wouldn't look so bad, but it would still be there.

 

[PRW1988]

well that is unfortunate about the snail. Mabye I'll stick away from them... Or a mystery snail... I've always loved the gold ones.

Anyways, I picked up the sand today and the shrimp. They're in a criter keeper in my main tank so they won't escape on me. Setting up the tank tomorrow and will seed it from the main tank. So I hope all works well for me

 

[frothhelmet]

FTR I think keeping Cherries with Bettas is a bad idea. I kept a male betta alone in a 60l with 9 cherries and he terrorized the lot (they stayed in hiding), and after I removed him came out. I also think he succeeded in eating 3 (or at least preventing them from feeding and dying of starvation).

 

[Jonty]

FTR I think keeping Cherries with Bettas is a bad idea. I kept a male betta alone in a 60l with 9 cherries and he terrorized the lot (they stayed in hiding), and after I removed him came out. I also think he succeeded in eating 3 (or at least preventing them from feeding and dying of starvation).

each betta is different, some are fine

 

[talisker]

I've got about 20 cherry shrimp in with a male betta and he doesn't bother them at all.

 

[Biulu]

Certain shrimp are also good at eating algae... With only java fern and moss there won't be enough to eat for the otos.

 

[Jenste]

also, for a 5 gallon...you really don't have to waste valuable stocking space to accommodate an algae eater...with enough live plants in there and a two second rub down with paper towel, the algae will be under control!