[Sandrilene]

So today the rather innocent looking fish you see in my picture decided to try ghost shrimp and demolished one. I checked everywhere. it ceases to exist (and he has a belly that hints where he disappeared to). And then I picked up snails for each of the fish and today he decided to try snail as well and i`m pretty sure killed his in one fierce bite. So anyone have any suggestions to what i can do tank cleaner wise??? because he keeps eating his (besides me I am too big). So frustrating.

 

[PhilipPhish]

How big is the tank?
If its large enough, perhaps you could get a pleco? Heres a list of Plecos that are under 8 inches:
Click Here

Hope it helps!

 

[Sandrilene]

he is in a 5 gallon. i should have included that in my previous post. sorry ( haven`t slept yet today). And he seems super agitated today even for him I don't know what's going on.

 

[Olympia]

A cleaner really isn't necessary and won't be that useful in a tank that small

 

[PhilipPhish]

I'm not sure if an 8 inch pleco would fit in a 5 gallon.... I'm not too sure if anything besides a betta would fit in a 5 gallon... :/

Perhaps one of our more experienced members could help.

Edit: Olympia got there before me! lol!

 

[Sandrilene]

its still 2 gallons larger then the recommended smallest size so i thought it would be helpful. but if he is just gonna eat them... :roll:

 

[Olympia]

You may have more success with the shrimp if you offer TONS of hiding places for them. I think it's worth a shot with some cheap ghost shrimp. Something like java moss would offer good hiding, or something like a piece of aquarium tube, buried so shrimp can fit but there is no chance of your betta getting stuck in it.

 

[Sandrilene]

i have a fake plant a few decorations and a live plant and a hidey spot. the shrimp that survived is very large 3 times the size of the other shrimp and expert at avoidance. He seriously chases the fish around and has since i got them and still lives. the smaller ones don`t seem to get the run away bit yet hence become tasty snacks. annoying. since he still has his belly and consumed an entire ghost shrimp i`m assuming i can skip dinner for him tonight?

 

[Olympia]

Yes. It'd be best to fast him.
Shrimp and snails are your only options for a tank that size.
Guess you're stuck doing the cleaning.. until he eats you too

 

[Sandrilene]

yea i didn`t think i could add any fish and wasn`t planning to. But i didn`t think he would find snails tasty. maybe i`ll add more shrimp sized hidy spots to make it more challenging to eat them (and buy them at the cheaper pet store!). Maybe i'll even stare at them for long periods of time to see how well they swim, because apparently that is a very important skill.

 

[Olympia]

LOL. Shrimp athletes only.
You could set up a shrimp only tank, or even a two gallon bowl, fill it with live plants. Buy some cherry shrimp, and they reproduce pretty well, and just stock whenever.
Of course I think the betta eating tons of shrimp would eventually cause some problems.

 

[Sandrilene]

cherry shrimp are pretty. can betta see color? i don`t want to make eating them easier. of course if i end up with a male and female shrimp and no snails then i will have tons of shrimp anyways (assuming again he doesn`t eat them)?

 

[Olympia]

Yea.. betta can see colour. If he keeps eating everything I'd just give up.

 

[Sandrilene]

but i`m stubborn too and i`m not a fish so i should win! i can add hiding spots til the hiding spots have hiding spots.... :lol:

 

[inareverie85]

I have a very fussy boy in an 8G. He's killed otocinclus cats, and when I had him in my 15g he offed an old tetra. Now he's in his 8g with nerite snails

I introduced a few ghost shrimp a few days ago, and so far he seems curious about them but not hungry enough to taste it helps though that my tank is rather heavily planted, so they can get out of his field of vision if they need to.

 

[Tikibirds]

I think alot of people who have shrimp use moss for them - like a carpet. I always wanted to have a grassy bottom to my tank but...I ain;t that talented

 

[Sandrilene]

the shrimp are getting smart about hiding in plants and areas harder for him tro reach quickly so if they see him coming they can scatter lol. Today Hideki has this weird spot on his head? not sure what it is took a pic also still bloated or whatever the term for the expanded belly is for fish. Please if you have any idea what is going on with the spot let me know. I am concerned. :-? I did fast him for his feeding after the shrimp and have yet to feed him so i don`t know if that has anything to do with it (i'm sure he can't be hungry as he ate someone almost as big as him.. there were no remains).

 

[Sandrilene]

also looks like the area beside his eye has changed too. don`t know if that is normal either?