Day 1: Put in 4 ghost shrimp. Betta loved to chase them around, and they wandered a little but would jump every time he almost got one.
Day 2 (Afternoon): put in the other 2 ghost shrimp, I saw no reason not to. Ghost shrimp seemed a little more passive. Sometime today I realize one might be dead
Day 2 Evening : noticed that overnight bettas fins got a little clipped. So angry at shrimp, but one might be killed by beta so I relax
Day 3: Definite fin damage. About to kill every betta, but decide since they did not have a good food supply I was going to put in tons of algae wafers then decide based on how things go
Day 3 Evening (now): Turning out the lights. Resisted urge to kill the large one sitting on the betta log (which I got very bad vibes about and seemed like the most dangerous of the group, wouldnt want them to all turned into food just because of one shrimps bad deeds). Was going to simply feed them to betta as I have nothing to do with them and they were going to either be friends who cleaned or food. They have one last chance.
Reasons for potentially attacking:
1. temperature is 80-81, and apparently warm temps incite them - likely
2. betta was mildly sick (although when they arrived he was very healthy) - unlikely
3. not enough food (there was some detritus and a little broken up pellet, but beside that and algae on plants nothing) - most likely
4. They aren't ghosts or they are aggressive - (second most likely)
5. betta gets hurt chasing them at night - (very unlikely)
What do you guys think might be doing on? Admiral Bubblesworth rests in his betta log at night and I assume they roam then
What replacement shrimp should I try? I'm looking for one that is very passive under all conditions (from what I read after discovering my initial ghost research was wrong temperature, personality, or hunger can lead ghosts to violence), cleans the tank, and is relatively small. Right now Red Cherry Shrimp seem like my best option. I'm not too concerned about survivability as bubblesworth seems to struggle to kill these (he may not have gotten a single one) as they evade him with their crackhead style jumping and speed whenever he gets close until he loses him (during the day when I see him and them) but for the most part they do not interact. There are plenty of hiding places.