Look, I’ve been keeping aquariums for years now, and one of the most common questions I get from fellow fish enthusiasts is about keeping loaches and shrimp together. Let me tell you straight up – it’s complicated, but I’ll break down everything you need to know about this fishy situation
The Short Answer
Yes, most loaches will eat shrimp if given the chance. But don’t close this tab just yet – there’s more to this story than a simple yes or no!
The Reality of Loaches and Shrimp Compatibility
Size Matters (A Lot!)
- Smaller loaches (like Kuhli loaches) are less likely to bother adult shrimp
- Larger loaches (like Clown loaches or Yo-yo loaches) will definitely see shrimp as a tasty snack
- Baby shrimp are basically loach candy – they’ll get munched regardless of loach species
Types of Loaches and Their Shrimp-Eating Tendencies
Here’s a breakdown of common loach types and their likelihood to eat shrimp:
| Loach Type | Shrimp-Eating Risk |
|---|---|
| Kuhli Loach | Low to Moderate |
| Yo-yo Loach | High |
| Clown Loach | Very High |
| Weather Loach | Moderate |
| Dojo Loach | Moderate to High |
Making It Work: Tips from My Experience
If you’re stubborn like me and still wanna try keeping both, here’s what you can do:
1. Tank Setup is Everything
- Dense plant coverage (like, jungle-level dense)
- Lots of hiding spots
- Rock caves and crevices
- Driftwood with plenty of nooks
- Moss beds (shrimp love these!)
2. Choose Your Shrimp Wisely
Some shrimp species have better survival chances
-
Amano Shrimp
- Larger size
- Fast swimmers
- More street-smart than other shrimp
-
Ghost Shrimp
- Transparent (harder to spot)
- Relatively inexpensive
- Quick movers
-
Cherry Shrimp (risky but possible)
- Need LOTS of hiding places
- Will breed quickly if some survive
- Best with smaller loach species
Real Talk: What Actually Happens in the Tank
Let me share what I’ve seen in my tanks and what other aquarists have experienced
The Good News
- Well-fed loaches are less likely to hunt shrimp
- Adult shrimp can sometimes coexist with smaller loaches
- Heavy planting really helps survival rates
The Bad News
- Shrimp babies will probably become snacks
- Even well-fed loaches might hunt for fun
- You’ll likely need to regularly replenish your shrimp population
Making the Best of It: My Pro Tips
-
Feed Your Loaches Well
- Regular feeding schedule
- Variety of foods
- Bottom-feeder tablets
- Live food alternatives
-
Start with Cheaper Shrimp
- Don’t invest in expensive crystal shrimp
- Try ghost shrimp first
- Monitor survival rates
-
Timing is Key
- Add shrimp before loaches
- Let shrimp establish territories
- Introduce smaller loaches first
Special Considerations
Tank Size
- Bigger is better (duh!)
- Minimum 20 gallons
- More space = more hiding spots
- Better territory distribution
Water Parameters
- Keep both species happy
- Regular water changes
- Stable temperature
- Clean substrate
The Bottom Line
Look, I ain’t gonna sugar-coat it – keeping loaches with shrimp is like trying to keep cats and mice together. Can it work? Sometimes. Is it ideal? Probably not. But if you’re determined to try, at least now you know what you’re getting into!
Quick Decision Guide
✅ Go for it if:
- You have a large, heavily planted tank
- You’re okay with some shrimp losses
- You’re willing to provide lots of hiding places
- You can maintain stable tank conditions
❌ Maybe skip it if:
- You want a guaranteed shrimp colony
- Your tank is sparsely decorated
- You’re keeping larger loach species
- You’re on a tight budget (replacing shrimp gets expensive!)
Final Thoughts
In my years of fishkeeping, I’ve learned that while loaches and shrimp aren’t the best tankmates, they’re not impossible to keep together either. Success really depends on your setup, patience, and willingness to accept some losses. If you’re still keen on trying, start small, provide plenty of cover, and keep your expectations realistic.
Remember, every tank is different, and what works in one might not work in another. Don’t be afraid to experiment (within reason), but always have a backup plan for your shrimpy friends if things don’t work out!
Now, who’s ready to give it a try? Just remember – don’t blame me if your loaches end up having an expensive shrimp dinner!
Can Kuhli Loaches Live With Amano Shrimp?
Since Amano shrimp grow larger than cherry or ghost shrimp, it seems even more unlikely that they’d become lunch for your kuhli. Reports from online communities seem to confirm this logic, and I’ve yet to come across anyone who suspected their kuhli loach eating their Amano shrimp!
Kuhli Loaches and Pet Shrimps
There’s a lot of controversy about whether kuhli loaches will eat pet shrimp species.
The most popular types of freshwater aquarium shrimps are ghost shrimps, cherry shrimps, and Amano shrimps. These shrimps (especially Amano) are fantastic for eating algae, and so are becoming increasingly popular for peaceful community tanks.
Ghost shrimp and cherry shrimp typically grow to around 1.5 inches long at adulthood, whereas Amano shrimp are slightly larger at about 2 inches in size. All of them are a lot larger than the brine shrimp and mysis shrimp typically fed to aquarium fish.
Since kuhli loaches only grow to 4 inches long, a 1.5-inch long shrimp would seem to be quite a large meal for them.
Kuhli Loach stalking Cherry Shrimp
FAQ
What fish won’t eat shrimp in a tank?
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.
Can dojo loaches live with shrimp?
This means that they are not good tank mates for shrimp and snails. In fact, Weather Loaches can be very handy for controlling pest snail populations in freshwater aquariums.
What fish would eat 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.