Betta tank mates?

[Futured]

I’m thinking about turning an old 20 gallon long tank into a betta tank but I wanted to add a few tank mates. I was thinking about Khuli Loaches and cherry shrimp. Does anyone know how well this would work, I would probably have like 3 Khulis not sure how many cherry shrimp, I’m worried about between a betta and the khuli loaches that the shrimp would get wiped out. Thanks!

[JettsPapa]

Hello,

I don't have much experience with them, but from reading posts in this and other fish keeping forums it seems like it depends on the betta's personality.  Some wouldn't bother the kuhlis but would eat the shrimp, some wouldn't bother either, and some will kill anything in the tank with them.

[Futured]

On 12/2/2022 at 9:19 AM, JettsPapa said:

Hello,

I don't have much experience with them, but from reading posts in this and other fish keeping forums it seems like it depends on the betta's personality.  Some wouldn't bother the kuhlis but would eat the shrimp, some wouldn't bother either, and some will kill anything in the tank with them.

That’s a good point, I don’t have any fish at the moment so I can’t judge off personality, I’m considering getting the betta first and waiting til I can tell it’s personality to get tankmates. All the bettas I have previously owned have been pretty chill, my last one wouldn’t hurt a fly, bettas can be such a gamble when it comes to personality!

[billango]

The two bettas I've had had no problems with any other fish that I had with them, but never worked with shrimp.

[SugarBassJoe]

I cant say to much about kuhli loaches, I've never kept them, but I've usually kept bettas as centerpieces for community tanks, always done well with most fish (some of the higher energy fish, not so much). As for shrimp, I've gotten it to work, but the shrimp population never exploded, could, and do keep a stable colony in a tank with a betta in it, I will say it does seem natural selection is at work in there, as in the shrimps with a more natural coloration are less noticed, while the brighter colored ones are the first to go, with an exception to the black rose variety, they do well.

If you do want to try putting them together, I would actually start with the shrimp, get them established then add the fish, with the hopes of them seeing the shrimp as part of their new territory, and not food being given to them. As much cover as you can stand (hardscape/plants/décor) will increase the odds in your favor. 

Note: I currently have a Betta/cherry shrimp set up in a 10G, I think you'll have more success in a 20 long if you try it.