Does it need to eat anything other than algae and crumbs?

Will it make a bigger mess than it cleans up?

Can it be in a 1/2 gallon, and then in a 4?

Thanks. :D

29 Gallon Planted Freshwater:
2 Bolivian Rams
3 Balloon Mollies
1 Red Cobra Delta Guppy
8 Harlequin Rasboras
5 Otocinclus
4 Kuhli Loaches
4 Gallon Planted Betta Tank:
1 Male Veiltail Betta
3 Gallon Betta Tank:
1 Male Crowntail Betta
1/2 Gallon Live Plant Aquarium:
Water Sprite
Amazon Sword
40 Gallon Rubbermaid Balloon Molly Grow-Out:
100s of Balloon Mollies (mostly juvenilles to adults)
10 Gallon Birthplace and Nursery:
100s of Balloon Mollies (mostly fry to very young)

Other Pets:
2 Leopard Geckos
1 Crested Gecko
1 Chinese Hamster

2. It literally needs the amount of care of a betta, no care whatsoever. Keep the betta happy and that's it for the shrimp.

3. 1/2 gallon is a little restricting and the ghost shrimp might get eaten. Put the shrimp in after the 4 gallon comes so that the betta has more space.

The betta might eat the shrimp, depends on the betta. Try it, it might work.

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If life gives you lemons, squeeze them into people's eyes and run away!

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Other Pets:
2 Leopard Geckos
1 Crested Gecko
1 Chinese Hamster

How big is the tank that you mentioned finished cycling?

It actually doesn't matter if the shrimp doesn't fit into the mouth. The betta can rip it apart after the shell sheds and eat it. I don't see it as a risk anymore though. 

Cycling is a bore isn't it? If you're gonna get another tank, put extra filter media for bacteria to colonize. Then take the media out, plop it into the new tank, give it an ammonia source (fish flakes will do), wait 1-2 days and your tank is "seeded." Make sure you test ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate though too be sure.

I hope you stay at FishChannel for a long time. Many people join... and never come back.

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If life gives you lemons, squeeze them into people's eyes and run away!

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What do you mean by you don't think it is a risk anymore for the shrimp.  I don't think it is because they really just ignore each others presence completely, but you seemed worried earlier.  I added to live plants so there is plenty of space to hide.  The plant is tall, seaweed-looking and is very hardy.  It is doing good so far (but it's only been like 5 hours).

The two worst things about fish keeping: the cost $$$ (more so in saltwater) and the cycling.

Why would you think I would be leaving FishChannel?  Now that I have my tank going (and will be breeding balloon mollies [which I noticed are one of your favourite fish]) I will be needing more help from everyone here more than ever.  I'm not going anywhere soon. ;)

29 Gallon Planted Freshwater:
2 Bolivian Rams
3 Balloon Mollies
1 Red Cobra Delta Guppy
8 Harlequin Rasboras
5 Otocinclus
4 Kuhli Loaches
4 Gallon Planted Betta Tank:
1 Male Veiltail Betta
3 Gallon Betta Tank:
1 Male Crowntail Betta
1/2 Gallon Live Plant Aquarium:
Water Sprite
Amazon Sword
40 Gallon Rubbermaid Balloon Molly Grow-Out:
100s of Balloon Mollies (mostly juvenilles to adults)
10 Gallon Birthplace and Nursery:
100s of Balloon Mollies (mostly fry to very young)

Other Pets:
2 Leopard Geckos
1 Crested Gecko
1 Chinese Hamster

I was just saying that you might leave because, well... many new members come, see their status as new member, become somewhat discouraged by the amount of posts needed (that REALLY doesn't sound like a good reason to leave though) and leave. Also because of intimidation (if you're really self-conscious) that other fishkeepers are here that are "better" than yourself... I've seen many people never come after what? one or two visits. But I don't see that in you though by your posts. :D

Isn't that tank sort of overstocked? I mean in amounts of fish.

The pearl gourami is a little big for that tank. You might want to upgrade tanks... maybe 20-30 gallons if you're fully stocking it.

Golden Wonder Killies, I like them... although not my fave. Once the balloons are added, tell me how the act to each other. I want to see if the killies will become mean or nice... or just completely ignore them.

The Otocinclus would be a nice addition... just be careful where you buy them. Places like LiveAquaria.com only sell netted otocinclus, unlike many chain stores (PetSmart or Petco) that sell ones that were chemically lagged and made easier to catch. The abuse during shipping also increases the fragility of the oto. If you have to get them like Petco, wait a while to account for die-offs and then buy the healthiest looking ones. Here's a pic of a good looking oto:

Ignore the numbers. What I want you to see is what #10 is pointing at. It's the caudal fin. It should be nicely pointed. Make sure all the fins are erect and the oto is active. The picture is from www.otocinclus.com, home of the dwarf suckermouth catfish.

Although otos need soft acidic water, just stability of your water should be the key point. Try them in hard, alkaline water. Some people actually have good luck in that water. Oh, one last point. Have the store test their water in front of you for pH and GH (general hardness). This'll determine if the otos are used to the water... dang another point. Ask if they're farmed or wild.

As for the balloons, if you're going to breed them, make sure they're in their own tank. Other fish can eat the fry... of course, you probably already know this.

The peppered cory needs others of it's kind... at least 3. This way, it'll feel less lonely, more active, and exhibit its corydorine behaviors.

The cardinal tetras you're going to have to do the same things as the otos. Ask whether they're farm raised or wild, and test the pH and GH in the store tanks in front of you.

So much to say... lastly, aggressive feeders like livebearers and killies (not exactly sure if killies eat FAST) will out-compete other fish like cories, gouramis, basically slower fish.

Hope your tank will work out.

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If life gives you lemons, squeeze them into people's eyes and run away!

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