As an experienced aquarist, I’ve seen many hobbyists get excited about the idea of keeping killifish and shrimp together. But before you rush to add these creatures to your tank, let’s dive into the reality of this combination.
The Quick Answer
Yes, most killifish will eat shrimp. It’s not just a possibility – it’s pretty much guaranteed unless you take specific precautions. I’ve learned this the hard way and many other aquarists have shared similar experiences.
Understanding Killifish Behavior
Killifish are natural predators with some interesting characteristics
- They have surprisingly large mouths for their size
- Most species swim near the surface
- They’re opportunistic feeders
- They’ll eat anything that fits in their mouth
Different Killifish Species and Their Shrimp-Eating Tendencies
Not all killifish are equally aggressive toward shrimp Here’s what I’ve found
- Golden Wonder Killifish: Highly likely to eat shrimp of any size they can fit in their mouth
- Clown Killifish: Despite their small size, they will attack and eat shrimp bigger than their mouths
- Epiplatys anulatus: One of the few species that might be safer with small shrimp
5 Proven Ways to Keep Killifish and Shrimp Together
If you’re determined to keep both species, here are some strategies that have worked for me:
1. Dense Planting
- Use lots of moss (Marimo moss works great!)
- Create multiple hiding spots
- Maintain thick plant coverage
2. Size Matters
- Choose larger shrimp species
- Let shrimp grow to full size before introducing killifish
- Consider removing smaller shrimp to a separate tank
3. Proper Feeding Schedule
Feed your killifish these foods regularly:
- Brine shrimp
- Mosquito larvae
- Daphnia
- Fruit flies
- Small worms
4. Population Management
- Keep more shrimp than killifish
- Start with a larger shrimp colony
- Have a backup breeding tank for shrimp
5. Tank Setup
- Minimum 20-gallon tank
- Lots of hiding places
- Multiple levels of vegetation
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve seen these mistakes way too often:
- Adding small shrimp to an established killifish tank
- Not providing enough hiding spots
- Keeping aggressive killifish species with expensive shrimp
- Underfeeding the killifish
- Having too few plants
Real Talk: What to Expect
Let’s be honest here – even with all these precautions, you might still lose some shrimp. I’ve noticed that baby shrimp are particularly vulnerable, and even well-fed killifish might snack on them occasionally.
Alternative Options
If you’re not sure about mixing these species, consider these alternatives:
- Keep killifish with larger fish instead
- Set up separate tanks for each species
- Choose more shrimp-friendly fish species
Final Thoughts
While it’s possible to keep killifish and shrimp together, it ain’t gonna be easy! From my experience, success depends on careful planning and constant monitoring. If you’re new to the hobby or working with expensive shrimp, you might wanna think twice about this combo.
Remember, every tank is different, and what works in one setup might not work in another. The key is patience and being ready to adjust your approach based on how your specific fish and shrimp interact.
Have you tried keeping killifish and shrimp together? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below! Share your successes, failures, and any tips you’ve discovered along the way.
Note: This article is based on personal experience and community feedback. Your results may vary depending on specific species and tank conditions.
Foods for Newly-Hatched Killifish
The food should be ready before hatching the killifish eggs.
We recommend fairy shrimp. From our experience, the fairy shrimp is very easy to hatch. You should hatch 0.5/10 capsules of fairy shrimp eggs 1 day before hatching killifish eggs and use the dropper to transfer newly-hatched fairy shrimp to the killifish tray.
- Newly-hatched brine shrimp
- Microworms
- Vinegar eels
- Infusoria
- Grindal worms
Eating Habits of Killifish
The killifish usually do not eat pellet food. They are opportunistic feeders, consuming a wide variety of food sources. Their diet primarily consists of small invertebrates such as insects, worms, and crustaceans.
Clown Killifish Care Guide – Stunning, 7-Colored Killifish for Nano Tanks
FAQ
What food do killifish eat?
Killifish are carnivores. Depending on the size of your fish, frozen foods such as brine shrimp, newly hatched brine shrimp nauplii, daphnia, mysis shrimp, mosquito larvae and bloodworms are all good choices. Killifish have a reputation of refusing dry foods, but many hobbyists have had success with them.
What fish will not eat my shrimp?
Guppies, rasboras, small danios, kuhli loaches, pencilfish, clown killifish, and corys are just some of the options here. White Cloud Mountain minnows and the small rainbowfish of the Pseudomugilidae are also good potential tankmates.
Will clown killifish eat shrimp?
In general, clown killifish do not seem to eat adult dwarf shrimp, such as cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi), Caridina shrimp, and ghost shrimp. However, baby shrimp are fair game, so we don’t recommend keeping them together if you plan on selling shrimp for profit.
Do golden killifish eat shrimp?
They are also not afraid to jump, so they must be kept in an aquarium with either a lid/hood/canopy or at least a significantly lowered water level. They will not eat or bother plants, but they are fairly voracious predators of dwarf shrimp and even small fish such as microrasboras and very small danios or tetras.
Do killifish eat shrimp?
A killifish will eat other fish if they’re small enough. These fish will eat their own young as well if they encounter them. The omnivorous killifish will also eat algae and other types of plant matter in the wild. They still seek out meaty foods, but they supplement their diet with plant-based foods. Will Killifish Eat Shrimp?
Do killifish eat small fish?
Many types of killifish are considered to be semi-aggressive. Also, these are carnivorous fish that will eat fish that are too small. If a fish is small enough to fit into its mouth, a killifish is going to take the opportunity to enjoy a meal. So you do have to choose carefully to make sure that everything will be okay.
Are killifish good community fish?
Killifish can be pretty decent community fish, but this is only possible if you put them with compatible tank mates. If you put killifish in tanks with fish that are smaller than them, they’ll try to eat them. Likewise, killifish can get devoured by larger and more aggressive fish.
Can you keep killifish in a community tank with shrimp?
It’s possible to keep killifish in a community tank with shrimp. This doesn’t mean that all shrimp are compatible with killifish. You need to find shrimp that are large enough that they won’t be eaten by the killifish. Also, it’s best to stick to smaller killifish instead of going with the largest ones you can find.
Are all killifish small?
Not all killifish are small. In fact, most grow large enough to eat medium-sized shrimp. If you’re considering small killifish, I would suggest perhaps some clown killifish. They mainly stay at the top of the water and don’t pick off many baby shrimp.
What do killifish eat?
Since most killifish are carnivorous, they’re going to seek out meaty foods. It’s common for wild killifish to feed on insect larvae and worms. They’ll also eat small crustaceans when the opportunity presents itself. A killifish will eat other fish if they’re small enough. These fish will eat their own young as well if they encounter them.