As an experienced aquarist who’s kept both tetras and shrimp for years, I’ve learned a lot about their compatibility. Let me share what I’ve discovered about whether tetras eat shrimp and how to successfully keep them together.
The Quick Answer
Yes most tetra species will eat shrimp if given the chance especially baby shrimp. However, with proper tank setup and careful species selection, tetras and shrimp can coexist peacefully in the same aquarium.
Which Tetras Are Safe with Shrimp?
In my experience, these tetra species tend to be the most shrimp-friendly:
- Neon Tetras
- Ember Tetras
- Glow-light Tetras
- Rummy Nose Tetras
Which Shrimp Work Best with Tetras?
Some shrimp species are better suited to living with tetras:
- Amano Shrimp (larger size = safer)
- Ghost Shrimp (slightly bigger than cherry shrimp)
- Bamboo Shrimp (too large for tetras to eat)
- Adult Cherry Shrimp (babies may get eaten)
Tips for Successful Tetra-Shrimp Communities
1. Heavy Planting is Essential
The #1 key to success is providing lots of hiding places:
- Dense foreground plants
- Thick moss patches
- Bushy stem plants
- Driftwood with crevices
- Rock caves and overhangs
2. Let Shrimp Establish First
Before adding tetras:
- Set up tank with plenty of plants
- Add shrimp first
- Let shrimp colony grow for 1-2 months
- Then slowly introduce peaceful tetras
3. Choose Tank Size Carefully
Minimum recommended tank sizes
- 20 gallons for basic community
- 30+ gallons ideal for larger groups
- More space = more hiding spots
My Personal Experience
In my 40 gallon planted tank, I’ve successfully kept a mix of:
- 12 Neon Tetras
- 8 Rummy Nose Tetras
- Colony of 50+ Cherry Shrimp
- 4 Amano Shrimp
The key has been TONS of plants – my tank looks like an underwater jungle! The adult shrimp are always out and about, though I rarely see the babies (they’re probably tetra snacks lol).
Common Problems & Solutions
Problem 1: Tetras Hunting Shrimp
- Solution: Add more plants and hiding spots
- Feed tetras well with quality food
- Consider adding floating plants
Problem 2: Disappearing Baby Shrimp
- Solution: Accept some losses as natural
- Provide dense moss areas
- Consider separate breeding tank
Problem 3: Aggressive Tetras
- Solution: Remove overly aggressive fish
- Stick to peaceful species
- Maintain proper school sizes
Setting Up Your Tank
Essential Equipment:
- Good filtration system
- Plants (live preferred)
- Hiding spots
- Water test kit
- Proper lighting
Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 72-78°F
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- Ammonia: 0 ppm
- Nitrites: 0 ppm
- Nitrates: <20 ppm
Final Thoughts
While tetras can eat shrimp, especially babies, they can totally live together successfully with proper planning. The key is creating a heavily planted environment with lots of hiding spots. I’ve found that once the tank is established, the populations usually balance themselves out.
Remember – every tank is different! What works in my tank might not work exactly the same in yours. Start slow, observe carefully, and adjust as needed.
FAQs
Q: Will neon tetras definitely eat my cherry shrimp?
A: Not necessarily! While they might snack on babies, adult cherry shrimp are usually safe with proper hiding spots.
Q: How many plants do I really need?
A: More than you think! I’d say aim for about 70% of the tank to have some kind of plant coverage.
Q: Can I keep expensive shrimp with tetras?
A: I wouldn’t risk it. Stick to hardier, less expensive species until you’re sure your setup works.
Remember, keeping tetras with shrimp isn’t impossible – it just needs proper planning and setup. With patience and the right approach, you can create a beautiful community tank that both species will thrive in!
Keep Your Tetras Full
If you feed your tetras properly, likely, they will not even look at the baby cherry shrimps. On the contrary, if you’re familiar with giving your tetras food only once each day, you should be prepared that they will take a bite of the shrimp at some moment. Twice per day should be ideal enough for them to stay full and avoid the shrimps. Hopefully this answers “will neon tetra eat cherry shrimp?”.
3 Tips On How To Keep Cherry Shrimps Alive With Tetras
These are the 3 pieces of advice that I would give to any new hobbyists on keeping cherry shrimps alive with their tetras. Since there are different breeds of tetras and Neon is one of the very few who don’t feed on shrimp, it’s still recommended to have protection within the tank.