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Ghost Shrimp and Cherry Shrimp: Can They Really Be Tank Mates? Here’s What You Need to Know

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As an experienced aquarium enthusiast, I’ve seen this question pop up countless times in forums and from fellow hobbyists: “Can ghost shrimp live with cherry shrimp?” The short answer is – it’s complicated, and I wouldn’t really recommend it. Let me break down why, based on both my personal experience and what other aquarists have discovered.

The Quick Answer

While it’s technically possible to keep ghost shrimp and cherry shrimp together it’s generally not recommended because

  • Ghost shrimp can be aggressive and may attack cherry shrimp
  • They compete for food and resources
  • Ghost shrimp might eat baby cherry shrimp
  • The stress can affect cherry shrimp coloration

Understanding Both Species

Ghost Shrimp

  • Size: Up to 1.5 inches
  • Temperament: Can be territorial and aggressive
  • Cost: Usually cheaper ($1-2 each)
  • Lifespan: 1-1.5 years
  • Special note: Sometimes sold under wrong species name

Cherry Shrimp

  • Size: Usually smaller (0.5-1 inch)
  • Temperament: Peaceful
  • Cost: More expensive ($3-5 each)
  • Lifespan: 1-2 years
  • Special note: Known for bright red coloration

The Real Talk About Keeping Them Together

Look, I’ve tried keeping these guys together, and here’s what I’ve learned the hard way:

When It Might Work

  1. Large tank (20+ gallons)
  2. Heavily planted setup
  3. Lots of hiding spots
  4. Small population of both species
  5. True Palaemonetes sp. ghost shrimp (not Macrobrachium)

When It Definitely Won’t Work

  1. Small tanks
  2. Sparse decoration
  3. Limited food resources
  4. Large ghost shrimp population
  5. When breeding is your goal

Tips If You Still Wanna Try

If you’re stubborn like me and still wanna give it a shot, here’s what ya gotta do:

Tank Setup Requirements

  • Minimum 20-gallon tank
  • Dense plant coverage
  • Multiple feeding stations
  • Lots of moss and hiding places
  • Regular monitoring

Population Management

  • Keep ghost shrimp numbers low (1 per 5 gallons)
  • Monitor cherry shrimp population
  • Remove aggressive individuals
  • Watch for signs of stress
  • Separate pregnant females

Common Problems and Solutions

Problem 1: Aggression

Solution

  • Add more plants
  • Create territorial boundaries
  • Remove aggressive ghost shrimp
  • Feed adequately

Problem 2: Competition for Food

Solution:

  • Multiple feeding spots
  • Different types of food
  • Feed smaller amounts more frequently
  • Use feeding dishes

Problem 3: Color Loss in Cherry Shrimp

Solution:

  • Reduce stress with more hiding spots
  • Ensure proper water parameters
  • Consider separation if continues
  • Add Indian almond leaves

Better Alternatives

Instead of mixing these species, consider these options:

  1. Separate Tanks

    • Best for breeding
    • Reduces stress
    • Better population control
    • Easier maintenance
  2. Alternative Tank Mates for Cherry Shrimp

    • Amano shrimp
    • Crystal red shrimp
    • Bamboo shrimp
    • Nerite snails

My Personal Experience

I remember when I first tried keeping these guys together in my 15-gallon planted tank. Man, what a mistake! Within a week, I noticed my ghost shrimp basically bullying my cherry shrimp during feeding time. The cherries started hiding more and their colors got super dull Eventually, I had to set up a separate tank for my cherry shrimp colony

Final Thoughts

While some aquarists claim success in keeping ghost shrimp and cherry shrimp together, I gotta be honest – it’s more trouble than it’s worth. If you’re new to the hobby or serious about breeding either species, just keep them separate. Trust me, it’ll save you headaches (and money) in the long run.

Remember, every tank is different, and what works for one person might not work for another. But if you’re asking for my professional opinion? Keep these guys in separate tanks and let them live their best lives!

Quick Care Tips for Both Species

Ghost Shrimp:

  • Temperature: 65-82°F
  • pH: 7.0-8.0
  • Regular water changes
  • Varied diet
  • Good filtration

Cherry Shrimp:

  • Temperature: 65-75°F
  • pH: 6.5-7.5
  • Clean water essential
  • Plant-heavy environment
  • High-quality food

can ghost shrimp live with 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.

can ghost shrimp live with cherry shrimp

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.

Category #2: Small Algae Eaters

While most aquarium fish are not purely herbivorous, there are several species that like to graze on algae and aufwuchs (e.g., aquatic microflora growing on underwater surfaces). Otocinclus catfish are amazing algae eaters that are both peaceful and small in size. In our experience, they are slower eaters and most likely will not outcompete your shrimp. Stiphodon gobies are another type of nano aufwuchs grazer with a suction cup-like mouth built for scraping biofilm and microorganisms off rocks. Finally, consider dwarf plecos, like the clown pleco (Panaqolus maccus), that are known for eating algae and wood. While any of these fish may opportunistically snack on a baby shrimp, they generally leave the adult shrimp alone.

can ghost shrimp live with cherry shrimp

Ghost Shrimp Beginner Care Guide | Ghost Shrimp Basic Care

FAQ

What shrimp can live with ghost shrimp?

Ghost Shrimp tank mates can also include other non-aggressive inhabitants. Nerite Snails, Mystery Snails, Corys, Ottos and filter feeders like Bamboo Shrimp and Vampire Shrimp, are good choices.

Are ghost shrimp aggressive towards other shrimp?

Funnily enough, ghost shrimp actually have somewhat of a reputation for being semi-aggressive. In reality, mislabeled whisker shrimp are likely to blame for this! True ghost shrimp, Palaemonetes paludosus, are really quite peaceful. Due to their larger size, they’re a little more feisty than Neocaridina dwarf shrimp.

Can ghost shrimp live with cherry shrimp on Reddit?

I have 6 ghosts that live very peacefully with 20+ red cherry shrimp, a pom pom crab and some snails. I’ve heard they can be aggressive but I’ve never witnessed it. I think if everyone’s fed enough and there’s enough plants and space, you shouldn’t have any problems.

What kills ghost shrimp?

Common causes of rapid death are improper acclimatization and contaminated water.

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