Hey there! I’m excited to share everything I know about freshwater fish and their relationship with shrimp. Whether you’re an aquarium enthusiast or an angler, this guide will help you understand which fish eat shrimp and how to use this knowledge to your advantage.
Quick Answer
Yes, many freshwater fish eat shrimp! However, not all species will actively hunt them The fish’s size, mouth structure, and natural feeding habits determine whether they’ll eat shrimp or not
Popular Freshwater Fish That Eat Shrimp
Definite Shrimp Eaters
- Oscar Fish
- Tilapia
- Rainbow Trout
- Catfish (especially for fishing bait)
- Bass (Largemouth)
- Angelfish
- Tiger Barbs
- Gourami
Maybe/Sometimes Eat Shrimp
- Guppies
- Goldfish
- Mollies
- Rasboras
- Small Danios
- Corydoras
- Kuhli Loaches
- Betta Fish (depends on individual personality)
Safe with Shrimp
- Otocinclus
- Dwarf Rasboras
- Small Pencilfish
- Zebra Otos
Using Shrimp for Fishing
I’ve found that shrimp makes excellent bait for freshwater fishing! Here are some tips
Best Practices
- Remove shell and tail for better hook retention
- Use smaller pieces for smaller fish
- Keep bait fresh when possible
- Frozen shrimp works great for catfish
- Perfect for both still fishing and casting
Pro Tips
- Pre-cut shrimp into bite-sized pieces before fishing
- Store in a cooler with ice to maintain freshness
- Thread the hook through the thickest part
- Consider using scented shrimp for extra attraction
Keeping Shrimp in Your Aquarium
If you’re planning to keep shrimp with fish, here’s what you need to know:
Tank Setup Requirements
- Plenty of hiding spots
- Dense plant coverage
- Multiple feeding zones
- Good water quality
- Proper filtration
Common Issues
- Predation on baby shrimp
- Competition for food
- Stress from aggressive fish
- Reduced breeding success
- Limited visibility of shrimp
Feeding Tips for Fish and Shrimp
For Fish:
- Use appropriately sized shrimp pieces
- Don’t overfeed
- Remove uneaten portions
- Mix with other foods
- Consider frozen or dried options
For Shrimp:
- Ensure they get enough food
- Feed when fish are less active
- Provide multiple feeding spots
- Use shrimp-specific foods
- Consider bottom-feeding options
My Personal Experience
In my years of keeping fish, I’ve learned that success with shrimp depends a lot on the specific setup and fish personalities. For example, I once had a super chill betta that lived happily with cherry shrimp, while another one hunted them relentlessly!
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re using shrimp as fish food, bait, or trying to keep them together in an aquarium, understanding these relationships is key. Just remember – every fish is different, and what works in one tank might not work in another
Quick Decision Guide:
- Want to breed shrimp? → Stick to shrimp-safe fish
- Fishing for catfish? → Frozen shrimp is your friend
- Community tank? → Choose smaller, peaceful fish
- Display tank? → Larger fish might eat your shrimp
Remember, fishkeeping is part science and part art – don’t be afraid to try new things while keeping these guidelines in mind!
Neos, You are the Chosen One
Hardy, adaptable, and prolific, Neocaridina Davidi (aka the dwarf cherry shrimp) are an ideal choice for any aquarist interested in shrimp, especially beginners. There are many color variations, including, red, blue, black, and green; having been painstakingly bred to express these colors, it is inadvisable to keep multiple colors in the same tank. They will indiscriminately mate, and the offspring will often be a drab brown or clear color. My favorites are the “blue dream” and “black rose” varieties.
When purchasing shrimp, please keep in mind that they are social animals, and they do best in large groups of at least ten individuals. Any less than this and they will tend to hide, rather than graze as a group out in the open. I frequently see beginners make the mistake of buying just a couple shrimp for their community tank, then complaining that they never see the shrimp.
Large or aggressive fish are not suitable tankmates for shrimp. Barbs, bettas and many others will often bully or harass the shrimp, or else straight up eat the shrimp for dinner. Your best bet is a shrimp only aquarium, or else a tank with small, peaceful fish (such as ember tetras or corydoras), lots of vegetation, and a decent water volume.
Shrimp are Friends, Not Food!
As rewarding as fish can be to keep, sometimes more variety is needed. As you may have guessed by my Instagram handle (@shrimpery), I am a big fan of keeping freshwater shrimp as pets. In fact, they are what introduced me to the aquarium hobby! Here is a brief primer on how to go about keeping these friendly, colorful and prolific animals in your own tank.
First things first: the species of shrimp you select will determine how easy it is to keep and breed. I break down the selection into three categories-
In addition to being the species that I keep, Neocaridina is the easiest and cheapest to purchase of the three, and they will be the focus of this guide.
Guppies with Shrimp? Do Guppies Eat Shrimp?
FAQ
What freshwater fish eat shrimp?
Many freshwater fish will eat shrimp, especially baby shrimp, which are often seen as a food source. Some fish, like guppies and tetras, will readily consume baby shrimp. Larger, more predatory fish like goldfish, some cichlids, and large gouramis are likely to eat shrimp of all sizes.
Will freshwater fish bite on shrimp?
Yes, freshwater fish will bite on shrimp. Shrimp are a common food source for many freshwater species, making them an effective bait.
What freshwater fish do 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.
Do bluegill eat shrimp?
Do freshwater shrimp eat fish?
It is very important to know about the different kinds of freshwater shrimp and also with which fish they are compatible to breed them properly in a fish tank. If you place the shrimps with fishes they are not compatible with then either the shrimp would eat those fishes or the bigger fishes would eat those shrimp.
Do shrimp eat other shrimp?
While we’ve focused on fish, one surprising predator of freshwater shrimp is other shrimp! Many dwarf shrimp like cherry shrimp and ghost shrimp will eat each other if food is scarce. In breeding tanks, adult shrimp may pick off weaker juveniles. Molting shrimp are also vulnerable to attack.
Can you eat shrimp in an aquarium?
Think of it this way: shrimps in an aquarium setting can be seen as the equivalent of oysters or prawns in a restaurant menu—versatile and highly sought after by discerning palates. Shrimps offer a balanced diet with their meaty texture and rich flavor, making them a perfect addition to any fish’s meal plan.
Are freshwater shrimp compatible with fish?
There are many different kinds of freshwater shrimp and all of them are not compatible with all kinds of fish. Depending on the nature of the shrimp they are compatible with different kinds of fish.
Do tilapia eat shrimp?
They will readily eat small shrimp in home aquariums as well. Verdict: Yes, tilapia eat shrimp in the wild and captivity. Rainbow trout are aggressive hunters that feed on insect larvae, small crustaceans, fish eggs, and smaller fish. They sometimes eat shrimp and scuds in their freshwater habitats.
Can fish eat cherry shrimp?
No fish will eat cherry shrimp. It is because cherry shrimp are freshwater organisms and cannot be eaten by any saltwater fish. They can only be eaten by other freshwater organisms such as tilapia or trout, but they would still have to exist in the same ecosystem as the cherry shrimp which they do not like in this case.