As someone who’s kept both gouramis and shrimp for years, I can tell you straight up – yes, most gouramis will eat shrimp if given the chance. But don’t click away just yet! The real answer is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no.
The Quick Answer
Most gouramis will hunt and eat smaller shrimp especially during molting. However some peaceful gourami species can coexist with larger shrimp in heavily planted tanks. Success depends on
- Gourami species and size
- Shrimp species and size
- Tank setup and hiding places
- Feeding habits
Different Gourami Species and Their Shrimp-Eating Tendencies
Let me break down the main gourami types and how likely they are to snack on your shrimp
Dwarf Gourami
- Size: Up to 2.5 inches
- Shrimp compatibility: Low
- Behavior: Despite small size, they’re surprisingly aggressive shrimp hunters
- Will definitely eat cherry shrimp and other small species
Pearl Gourami
- Size: Around 4 inches
- Shrimp compatibility: Moderate
- Behavior: Generally peaceful but opportunistic
- Best paired with larger shrimp species
Honey Gourami
- Size: About 3 inches
- Shrimp compatibility: High
- Behavior: Most peaceful gourami variety
- Can work with larger shrimp in planted tanks
Moonlight Gourami
- Size: Up to 6 inches
- Shrimp compatibility: Moderate to High
- Behavior: Calm and peaceful
- Generally ignores larger shrimp
Which Shrimp Are Most At Risk?
Not all shrimp are equally vulnerable. Here’s what I’ve learned:
High Risk Shrimp
- Cherry shrimp (too small and bright)
- Ghost shrimp (small and transparent)
- Baby shrimp of any species
- Molting shrimp (they’re defenseless!)
Lower Risk Shrimp
- Amano shrimp (larger size)
- Bamboo shrimp (filter feeders, stay hidden)
- Vampire shrimp (quite large)
How to Make It Work (Maybe)
If you’re stubborn like me and wanna try keeping both, here are some tips that might help:
-
Dense Planting is Your Friend
- Use lots of live plants
- Create hiding spots with driftwood
- Add floating plants for cover
-
Tank Setup Matters
- Bigger tank = better chances
- Lots of moss and carpeting plants
- Break line of sight with decorations
-
Smart Species Selection
- Honey gourami + Amano shrimp
- Pearl gourami + Vampire shrimp
- Moonlight gourami + larger shrimp species
-
Feeding Strategy
- Keep gouramis well-fed
- Feed 2-3 times daily
- Provide variety in diet
My Personal Experience
I’ll be honest – I’ve had mixed results. In my 30-gallon planted tank, I tried keeping dwarf gouramis with cherry shrimp. Big mistake! Lost most of my shrimp colony within weeks. But later, I had better luck with honey gouramis and amano shrimp in a heavily planted setup.
The Bottom Line
Look, keeping gouramis with shrimp is kinda like trying to keep cats and mice together – it can work sometimes, but nature’s gonna nature. If you’re dead set on trying it:
- Choose peaceful gourami species
- Pick larger shrimp varieties
- Plant heavily
- Accept some losses
Or ya know, maybe just keep them in separate tanks? Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one!
Pro Tips for the Stubborn
If you’re still gonna try (I get it, I’m stubborn too):
- Add shrimp first, let them establish
- Introduce gourami later
- Monitor closely first few weeks
- Have backup plan ready
- Keep shrimp population high
Remember, every tank is different, and what works in one might fail in another. Keep watching and be ready to separate them if things go south!
Want more specific advice about your setup? Drop a comment below – I’m always happy to help fellow fish keepers figure out their tank dynamics!
Natural Habitat for Gouramis
Gouramis are found throughout eastern and southern Asia, from Pakistan through Thailand, Vietnam, the Malaysian Archipelago, China and as far north and east as Korea and Japan. They live in slow-moving rivers, swamps, marshes, canals, wetlands and temporary pools.
Many gouramis are found in soft, acidic water in the wild, however the majority of aquarium species sold today are raised commercially in water that has a higher pH and alkalinity than their native environments, so they are very adaptable. pH should be between 6.8 and 7.8, alkalinity between 3° and 8° dkH (50 ppm to 140 ppm) and water temperature should remain between 75° and 80° F. If the aquarium is kept in rooms below 75°, use an Aqueon Aquarium Heater to maintain the correct temperature. Maintain good filtration and change 10% of the water weekly or 25% every 2 weeks using an Aqueon Aquarium Water Changer or Siphon Vacuum Gravel Cleaner. Do not forget to treat tap water with Aqueon Water Conditioner before refilling your tank.
Housing Requirements for Gouramis
The size aquarium you need will depend on which species of gourami you want to keep. Sparkling, croaking, honey and dwarf gouramis can be kept in tanks as small as 10 gallons, while a 30-gallon aquarium or larger is recommended for pearl, blue, gold, opaline and moonlight gouramis, as well as paradise fish. Kissing gouramis get to be quite large and will need a 55-gallon tank or larger when full size. Osphronemus goramy, the “True” or Giant gourami, can grow to 24″ and adults require an aquarium of 250 gallons or larger. Most gouramis are surface oriented, so having tall plants or ones that float at the surface help make them feel at home. They will be less stressed and show their best colors in a well decorated aquarium. Keep a secure lid on the aquarium to prevent them from jumping out.
Male gouramis have a tendency to be aggressive towards each other, so they should typically be kept individually. Female gouramis usually tolerate each other well. Mixing different species or color varieties of gouramis should only be done in larger, well decorated tanks. Remember that blue, three spot, opaline, gold and lavender gouramis are all the same fish – they have just been bred for different colors! Gouramis are slow moving and are best kept with similar sized fish that are not fin nippers or too active. Larger tetras, livebearers other than fancy guppies, peaceful barbs, most danios and angelfish, can all be good choices. Always consult an aquarium expert before buying any new fish for your aquarium.
I Put Honey Gourami With Shrimp, Heres What Happened!
FAQ
Can I keep cherry shrimp with dwarf gourami?
Some fish are more aggressive than others. Silvertip tetras, for example, tend to be very nippy fish and they can pick at your shrimp even if they aren’t going to eat them. Bettas and gouramis can also be aggressive towards shrimp in the same way.
Which fish will not eat shrimp?
The Otocinclus Catfish is the only fish we know of that is not likely to eat shrimp fry. While most fish will prey on dwarf shrimp fry, a heavily planted aquarium can be very helpful in offsetting this predation.
What is Gourami’s favorite food?
What do Gouramis Eat? Most gouramis are omnivorous and will thrive on Aqueon Tropical Flakes, Color Flakes, Tropical Granules and Shrimp Pellets.
Do honey gouramis eat cherry shrimp?
Finally, they do not seem to go after adult amano or cherry shrimp but will opportunistically eat any babies they find.