Hey there! I’m a shrimp keeper with years of experience and I’ve learned through trial and error which fish make the best (and worst) tank mates for our tiny crustacean friends. In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about keeping fish with shrimp successfully.
Quick Answer
Not all fish can live peacefully with shrimp The best tank mates are
- Small, peaceful fish (under 2 inches)
- Non-aggressive community fish
- Fish that prefer different areas of the tank
- Fish with tiny mouths that can’t eat adult shrimp
Best Fish Tank Mates for Shrimp
1. Nano Fish (Top & Middle Swimmers)
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Neon Tetras
- Size: 1-1.5 inches
- Temperature: 75-80°F
- Perfect for: 10+ gallon tanks
- Why they work: Too small to eat adult shrimp
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Chili Rasboras
- Size: Under 1 inch
- Temperature: 68-82°F
- Perfect for: 10+ gallon tanks
- Why they work: Peaceful nature, stays in upper water column
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Celestial Pearl Danios
- Size: Up to 1 inch
- Temperature: 72-81°F
- Why they work: Shy nature, rarely bothers shrimp
2. Bottom Dwellers
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Otocinclus Catfish
- Size: 1-2 inches
- Temperature: 72-79°F
- Why they work: Peaceful algae eaters, ignore shrimp
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Corydoras Pygmaeus
- Size: 1 inch max
- Temperature: 72-79°F
- Why they work: Non-aggressive bottom feeders
3. Unique Options
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Endler’s Livebearers
- Size: 1-1.8 inches
- Temperature: 72-82°F
- Note: May eat baby shrimp but leave adults alone
-
Kuhli Loach
- Size: 3-4 inches
- Temperature: 73-86°F
- Note: Peaceful but need well-fed to avoid hunting shrimp
Fish to Absolutely Avoid
❌ These fish will definitely eat your shrimp:
- Cichlids (all types)
- Pea Puffers
- Goldfish
- Gouramis
- Rainbowfish
- Large Plecos
Tips for Success
- Tank Setup
- Provide lots of hiding places (plants, rocks, caves)
- Dense vegetation is crucial for baby shrimp survival
- Java moss is perfect for shrimp protection
- Feeding Strategy
- Feed fish well to reduce predatory behavior
- Use feeding areas for different species
- Consider bottom feeder tablets for shrimp
- Introduction Method
- Add shrimp first to establish territory
- Introduce fish gradually
- Monitor behavior for first few weeks
My Personal Experience
When I first started keeping shrimp with fish, I made the mistake of adding some supposedly “peaceful” tetras that turned out to be shrimp hunters! Now I always recommend starting with proven combinations like Otocinclus or tiny rasboras.
FAQ
Q: Can betta fish live with shrimp?
A: It depends on the individual betta’s personality. Some are peaceful, others will hunt shrimp. Always have backup plan!
Q: Will guppies eat my shrimp?
A: Adult guppies usually leave adult shrimp alone but may eat babies. Provide lots of hiding spots if keeping them together.
Q: Do I need live plants?
A: While not absolutely required, live plants dramatically increase survival rates for shrimp, especially babies. They provide food, shelter, and better water quality.
Final Thoughts
Success with keeping fish and shrimp together comes down to choosing the right combinations and providing proper habitat. Start with the proven peaceful species I’ve listed above, make sure your tank has plenty of hiding spots, and you’ll be well on your way to a thriving community tank!
Remember: When in doubt, go smaller and more peaceful with your fish choices. Your shrimp will thank you for it!
Category #3: Peaceful Nano Fish with Tiny Mouths
Not all nano fish are shrimp-safe, but some species are so docile and diminutive that they pose little threat to full-grown cherry shrimp. Small tetras — such as the ember tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) and green neon tetra (Paracheirodon simulans) — are known for their brilliant colors and would look splendid with a group of complementary-colored shrimp. Nano rasboras — like the chili rasbora (Boraras brigittae) and neon green rasbora (Microdevario kubotai) — would also be stunning additions to a planted shrimp tank. As for bottom dwellers, dwarf cory catfish like pygmy catfish (Corydoras pygmaeus) are inclined to leave adult shrimp alone.
If you are looking to breed fish for profit and want to maximize your available space, we have successfully kept small livebearers (e.g., guppies and Endler’s livebearers) and cherry shrimp together with a giant mass of java moss in a 20-gallon tank. Any type of dense foliage, such as Pogostemon stellatus ‘octopus’ or water sprite, will do because they serve as hiding spots for the baby shrimp and fry so that the adult fish have a harder time catching them. If you build a good relationship with your local fish store, they may be willing to buy your plants as well, giving you an aquarium setup with three viable products.
Cardinal tetras, guppies, and nerite snails living with red cherry shrimp
Category #1: Small Invertebrates
Our first idea for shrimp-safe tank mates is to look at other nano invertebrates. For example, little snails — like nerite, mystery, bladder, and Malaysian trumpet snails — are mostly scavengers and detritivores that won’t eat living shrimp. They do like to eat the same types of foods as cherry shrimp though, so you may see fewer shrimp babies if the snail population outbreeds them. Larger filter-feeding shrimp, such as bamboo and vampire shrimp, are also a good choice because they predominantly eat tiny particles floating in the water. Similarly, Thai micro crabs use their hairy claws and legs to grab little crumbs, but they are quite shy and may be hard to spot in your aquarium.
Vampire or African fan shrimp (Atya gabonensis)
Other dwarf shrimp, like amano and ghost shrimp, can do well with cherry shrimp because they are roughly the same size and have similar care requirements. However, crystal shrimp and other Caridina shrimp may not be a good fit because they often prefer drastically different water parameters than cherry shrimp. While some hobbyists have kept them together, we often find that one shrimp colony tends to be happier and reproduce more than the other colony. Finally, avoid bigger crustaceans — such as long-arm shrimp, prawns, crayfish, and lobsters — because they are voracious creatures that will consume any source of protein they can find, including their smaller cousins.