Plants For Shrimps To Hide From A Betta

[Alexarium]

Hello
 
I have an Aquanano 40 tank with a betta, 5 red cherry shrimps, 7 amanos, 2 horned nerites, 2 red onion nerites and 7 tylomelania sp. (ranging from 0.4 to 2.5 cm long)
 
The betta shows a little aggression towards the shrimps (especially the red cherries), so I am trying to buy a plant that would provide them with a good hiding place. The tank is already planted.
 

 
There is space at the back of the tank for more plants. To give you an idea, I could easily fit another 4 Echinodorus parviflorus "Tropica" plants at the back, like the one you see on the right of the photo. Note that there is current from the spray bar pointing almost downwards.
 
Now, I could actually add 4 Echinodorus parviflorus, "Tropica" plants, but my problem is that the tylomelania sp. snails are eating both the bacopa and the Echinodorus parviflorus, "Tropica" leaves, even though I feed them cucumber and marrow daily.
 
I will be moving the tylomelania snails to a different tank soon (waiting for it to finish the cycle). Till then, I'll have to accept the fact of some plants being eaten...
 
To get back to the point, what would a good plant be that would allow the cherries (and -hopefully- their offspring) to hide so that my betta doesn't chase/catch them?
 
And another question, to avoid opening a new topic:
Should I add some more red cherries, so that the betta's aggressiveness gets more spread (and I increase the chances of sustaining a good amount of cherries?
 
Thanks

 

[DerpPH]

Well pearlweed, aka hemianthus macranthemoides is a good option. So are pellia sp. and some hairgrass.

And please dont add more shrimps. It will only make things worse

 

[fm1978]

As suggested by DerpPH; don't add more cherries, it'll only give the betta more choice when he fancies a snack.
 
Riccia could work - it grows quite easily and gets quite bushy giving your RCS some good cover. It can also be difficult to see into because it gets bushy which might help to break line of sight from the betta.

 

[Alexarium]

Thank you both for your replies.
I'm afraid I don't have a CO2 system, so I don't think pelia or riccia would do the trick.
I only add solid ferts and have an LED light so not enough for high demand plants.
 
I was thinking more of a ready (grown) plant to order online and put it in there as a means of immediate action.
 
I won't be adding any more cherries, thank you for clarifying that to me.

 

[Sophie]

Java Moss, let it grow big and bushy, worked wonders for my Cherry Shrimp - Loved hiding/living in it!

 

[Alexarium]

Thanks Sophie.
And all the best to the little one in your photo!

 

[Shelster]

I have known of/heard a UK betta breeder advise against java moss as bettas can become entangled and drown. - particularly if he would be making a bee line for it to catch some cherry shrimp.

It would be ideal for the shrimp cover but not for your betta

 

[Sophie]

I have known of/heard a UK betta breeder advise against java moss as bettas can become entangled and drown. - particularly if he would be making a bee line for it to catch some cherry shrimp.

It would be ideal for the shrimp cover but not for your betta

 
Oo-er- not being a fan of bettas I was not aware of this! :O
 
 

Thanks Sophie.
And all the best to the little one in your photo!

 
Thank you

 

[DreamertK]

Wow! I like the tank as is.

 
What about some sort of little cave that the betta cant get into? I had a plastic cave that only the shrimps could get into but my gourami couldn't, and they would hide in there all the time even though the gourami didn't pay them any mind. You could try creating caves with rocks, or adding in wood with a lot of holes in it.

 

[Shelster]

Wow! I like the tank as is.
 
What about some sort of little cave that the betta cant get into? I had a plastic cave that only the shrimps could get into but my gourami couldn't, and they would hide in there all the time even though the gourami didn't pay them any mind. You could try creating caves with rocks, or adding in wood with a lot of holes in it.

Good idea, or maybe a home made coconut shell with drilled holes?

I keep buying coconuts for this reason (making cave for my betta) but never get around to it!

 

[Alexarium]

@DreamertK
To be honest, the idea of a rock cave did cross my mind. I've got some small ones so I'll try to create some "cavelets" with them and a bit of super glue today...
The coconut cave's door is large enough for both the betta and the shrimps to get in, so it doesn't really help. If I succeed with the rocks, maybe I'll remove it completely from the tank.
 
@Shelster
Do you mean half a coconut without a door but only with small holes for the shrimp?
If yes, wouldn't that be dangerous for the shrimps' antennae?

 

[Shelster]

I was thinking prep a coconut:

http/www.instructables.com/id/Coconut-Cave/#step1

But literally cut in half, avoid the door, drill big enough holes for shrimp but just too small for your betta. Smooth edges of holes with a file so they're nice and smooth.

You can pick one up from supermarket for about 70p rather than £4.99 lfs charge.

I think the antennae will be ok if edges are filed on coconuts as you only have five.

Good luck on whatever action you decide to take

 

[Alexarium]

Cheers!
 
(note to self: never throw away the other half of the coconut... 

 )