Hey fellow fish keepers! I’ve been keeping ghost shrimp for years, and let me tell you – there’s a lot of confusion out there about whether these little transparent critters are aggressive or not. Today, I’m gonna break down everything you need to know about ghost shrimp aggression and help you figure out if they’re right for your tank.
Quick Answer
Ghost shrimp are generally peaceful creatures, but they can show aggressive behavior under certain circumstances. While they won’t typically attack healthy tank mates, they might get nippy when stressed or competing for resources
Why Do Ghost Shrimp Sometimes Show Aggression?
In my experience keeping these little guys I’ve noticed 5 main reasons why ghost shrimp might act aggressive
-
Territory Issues
- They need their own space
- Can get defensive of their favorite spots
- More likely to be aggressive in cramped tanks
-
Overcrowding
- Too many shrimp in small spaces
- Not enough hiding spots
- Increased competition for food
-
Poor Water Quality
- Stress from bad water parameters
- High ammonia or nitrate levels
- Irregular temperature changes
-
Breeding Season
- Males compete for females
- Temporary aggressive behavior
- Usually calms down after mating
-
Hunger Issues
- Not enough food
- Poor nutrition
- Competition for resources
Different Types of Ghost Shrimp = Different Personalities
Here’s something interesting I’ve learned – not all “ghost shrimp” are the same! There are actually different species sold under this name:
-
Palaemonetes paludosus (True Ghost Shrimp)
- Generally peaceful
- Smaller claws
- Red spots on tail
-
Palaemonetes vulgaris
- Slightly more aggressive
- Larger claws
- More territorial
-
Whisker Shrimp (Often mistaken for ghost shrimp)
- Much more aggressive
- Significantly larger
- Should not be kept with smaller shrimp
How to Prevent Ghost Shrimp Aggression
I’ve found these solutions super helpful in keeping my ghost shrimp peaceful:
1. Tank Setup
- Provide lots of hiding places
- Add plants and decorations
- Keep tank size appropriate (1 gallon per shrimp minimum)
2. Proper Diet
- Feed regular small portions
- Offer varied food types:
- Algae wafers
- Shrimp pellets
- Blanched vegetables
- Occasional frozen foods
3. Tank Maintenance
- Weekly water changes
- Regular water testing
- Stable temperature
- Good filtration
Best Tank Mates for Ghost Shrimp
From my experience, these fish usually do great with ghost shrimp:
✅ Good Tank Mates:
- Small tetras
- Rasboras
- Peaceful bottom dwellers
- Other dwarf shrimp
- Snails
❌ Avoid These:
- Large cichlids
- Aggressive barbs
- Goldfish
- Crayfish
- Bettas (depends on individual temperament)
Common Questions About Ghost Shrimp Aggression
Q: Will ghost shrimp eat baby fish?
A: While they might opportunistically eat very tiny fry, it’s not common behavior for healthy ghost shrimp.
Q: Can ghost shrimp live with cherry shrimp?
A: Usually yes! I’ve kept them together successfully, but watch out for recently molted cherry shrimp.
Q: Do ghost shrimp fight each other?
A: They might squabble over food or territory, but serious fighting is rare if they have enough space.
Tips from My Experience
- Start with a small group (3-5 shrimp) to test their behavior
- Watch them closely during feeding time
- Remove any obviously aggressive individuals
- Make sure they have enough calcium for healthy molting
- Keep water parameters stable
Final Thoughts
Look, ghost shrimp aren’t perfect angels, but they’re far from being aggressive monsters! In my years of keeping them, I’ve found they’re generally peaceful creatures that just need proper care and environment to thrive.
Remember, every shrimp has its own personality – just like us! Some might be more outgoing, others more shy. The key is providing them with the right conditions to feel secure and happy in your tank.
Have you kept ghost shrimp? What’s been your experience with their aggression levels? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your stories!
What is a ghost shrimp?
“Ghost shrimp” is a somewhat confusing denomination thats commonly used for a range of small to medium-sized, hump-backed translucent freshwater shrimp. Its supposed to mostly refer to the genus Palaemonetes, particularly Palaemonetes paludosus. This being said, you can find other shrimp sold as ghost shrimp as well. Whisker shrimp are one of the species commonly mislabeled as ghosts, hence this article!
Palaemonetes paludosus, the “true” ghost shrimp, is also known as glass shrimp or eastern grass shrimp.
Whisker shrimp vs ghost shrimp: Physical differences
So: whisker shrimp and ghost shrimp are not the same, and its important to know the difference so you dont end up buying the wrong shrimp. Unfortunately, whisker shrimp in particular are often mislabeled as ghost shrimp, which can cause trouble in your aquarium. So how do you tell them apart?
No worries, its easy once you know what to look for.
Between whisker shrimp vs ghost shrimp, its the whiskers that grow the largest. They can reach a length of up to 2.5″, whereas ghost shrimp rarely grow to 2″. If the shrimp in question looks very chunky, its probably a whisker shrimp!
Unsure whether youre dealing with a ghost or whisker shrimp? Take a look at its claws or arms. All shrimp have a pair of special arms with claws on the end they use to pick up food, but given that ghost shrimp are mostly scavengers, theirs are pretty small.
Its different in whisker shrimp, which will catch small prey if they get the chance. Their arms are significantly longer and feature larger claws. So if your shrimp has long grabby hands that surpass the length of its legs, its likely a member of the genus Macrobrachium rather than Palaemonetes.
Both ghost and whisker shrimp are mostly translucent, which is one of the main reasons theyre so commonly mixed up! However, there are some differences that allow you to easily assess which shrimp youre dealing with.
Most importantly, if your shrimp sports bright orange bands on its legs and/or antennae, its a true ghost (Palaemonetes paludosus). In addition to this, ghost shrimp will usually have a fine dotted pattern, as if they were sprinkled with ground pepper. Whisker shrimp, on the other hand, lack this sprinkling. They usually have a few more solid, uneven lines behind the head. Both species are translucent and have back humps, but there are some differences! Ghost shrimp photo © Tristan Packard,