Will Goldfish Eat Shrimp? The Real Truth About Keeping These Tank Mates Together

Let me tell ya something interesting – as someone who’s kept both goldfish and shrimp for years, I get this question ALL the time from fellow aquarium enthusiasts. The short answer? Yep goldfish will absolutely munch on shrimp if given the chance! But don’t click away just yet because there’s more to this story…

The Hard Truth About Goldfish and Shrimp

Here’s the deal – goldfish are basically underwater vacuum cleaners with fins. They’ll try to eat pretty much anything that fits in their mouths and unfortunately, most shrimp fall into that “snack-sized” category. I’ve learned this the hard way when I first tried keeping cherry shrimp with my fancy goldfish (spoiler alert it didn’t end well for the shrimp).

Why Do Goldfish Eat Shrimp?

• They’re natural opportunistic feeders
• Shrimp are the perfect bite-sized meal
• Goldfish don’t discriminate between “pet” shrimp and “food” shrimp
• When hungry, they’ll chase down anything that moves

Can They Ever Live Together?

Surprisingly, yes! But you’ll need to follow some specific guidelines:

What Works:

1. Tank Size Matters

   • Minimum 20 gallons for first goldfish
   • Add 10-20 gallons per additional fish
   • Bigger tanks = more hiding spots for shrimp

2. Right Goldfish Types

   • Fancy goldfish (like bubble eyes) are less threatening
   • Slower swimming varieties work better
   • Younger/smaller goldfish are less likely to hunt shrimp

3. Best Shrimp Choices

   • Amano Shrimp (larger & faster)
   • Ghost Shrimp (harder to spot)
   • Bamboo Shrimp (too big to eat)
   • Vampire Shrimp (intimidating size)

What Doesn’t Work:

• Cherry shrimp (too small & colorful)
• Single-tail goldfish with any small shrimp
• Overcrowded tanks
• Bare tanks with no hiding spots

Tips for Success

I’ve found these tricks super helpful when trying to keep shrimp with goldfish:

1. Plant Coverage

   • Dense plants like hornwort
   • Lots of moss
   • Driftwood with holes
   • Rock caves

2. Feeding Strategy

   • Keep goldfish well-fed
   • Feed at different times
   • Drop shrimp food after lights out
   • Use varied diet for goldfish

Warning Signs to Watch For

Keep an eye out if your shrimp are:

• Hiding more than usual
• Looking pale
• Swimming erratically
• Staying in corners
• Not eating normally

My Personal Experience

Ngl, I’ve had both successes and epic fails with this combo. My best results came from keeping amano shrimp with young fancy goldfish in a heavily planted 55-gallon tank. The shrimp actually bred successfully (which is pretty rare!), though many babies became goldfish snacks

Final Thoughts

Look, keeping goldfish and shrimp together isn’t impossible, but it’s definitely challenging. If you’re new to the hobby, I’d suggest starting with separate tanks. But if you’re determined to try, go for larger shrimp species, provide tons of hiding spots, and accept that some casualties might happen.

Remember: every tank is different, and what works in my setup might not work in yours. The key is patience and being ready to separate them if things go south.

Have you tried keeping goldfish and shrimp together? Drop a comment below about your experience – I’d love to hear how it went for you!

P.S. Don’t forget to check out our other articles about goldfish care and tank mate compatibility!