Hey fellow fish lovers! As someone who’s kept both guppies and shrimp for years, I’m often asked whether these colorful little swimmers will turn my shrimp into snacks. Let me share everything I’ve learned about keeping guppies and shrimp together successfully.
Quick Answer Yes, guppies can eat shrimp, especially baby shrimp and smaller species. However with proper setup and care they can peacefully coexist in the same tank.
Understanding Guppy Behavior Towards Shrimp
Guppies are generally peaceful fish but they’re also opportunistic feeders. Here’s what you need to know about their behavior
- They may nibble on anything small enough to fit in their mouths
- Adult guppies rarely attack full-grown shrimp
- Hungry guppies are more likely to prey on shrimp
- Males tend to be more curious and may investigate shrimp more often
Creating a Safe Environment for Both Species
Tank Size Requirements
I’ve found these minimum tank sizes work best
- 10 gallons – For a small group of guppies and shrimp
- 20 gallons – Ideal for a thriving community
- 5 gallons – Too small for both species together
Perfect Water Parameters
Both species need similar conditions to thrive:
- Temperature: 70-80°F (21-27°C)
- pH: 6.5-8.0
- Water hardness: 3-15 dGH
Essential Tank Setup Elements
To keep your shrimp safe, include:
-
Dense Plant Coverage
- Java moss
- Pearl weed
- Dwarf hair grass
- Monte carlo
-
Hiding Spots
- Driftwood
- Rock caves
- Under-substrate tubes
- Plant thickets
Feeding Strategy for Peaceful Coexistence
For Guppies
- Feed 2-3 times daily
- Use high-quality flake food
- Supplement with frozen foods
- Don’t overfeed!
For Shrimp
- Install feeding tubes
- Use shrimp-specific pellets
- Offer blanched vegetables
- Place food in shrimp-only areas
Pro Tips for Success
-
Start Right: Add shrimp after guppies are well-established
-
Plant Heavy: More plants = more hiding spots = happier shrimp
-
Choose Wisely: Larger shrimp species like Amano or Ghost shrimp are less likely to become guppy snacks
-
Monitor Breeding: Remove pregnant shrimp to separate tanks if you want to raise babies
Common Challenges and Solutions
Problem: Guppies Chasing Shrimp
Solution:
- Add more plants
- Create physical barriers
- Ensure proper feeding
Problem: Missing Baby Shrimp
Solution:
- Provide dense ground cover
- Use breeding boxes
- Set up a separate breeding tank
Best Shrimp Species to Keep with Guppies
-
Amano Shrimp
- Larger size
- Active cleaners
- Hardy nature
-
Ghost Shrimp
- Transparent body
- Good at hiding
- Affordable option
-
Red Cherry Shrimp (with caution)
- Colorful addition
- Prolific breeders
- Need extra protection
My Personal Experience
I’ve kept guppies and shrimp together for years, and lemme tell ya, it’s totally doable! In my heavily planted 20-gallon tank, I’ve watched generations of both species thrive together. Sure, I lose some baby shrimp occasionally, but that’s just nature doing its thing.
Final Thoughts
While guppies might snack on smaller shrimp, proper tank setup and maintenance can create a thriving community tank. Remember, success comes down to:
- Adequate space
- Plenty of hiding spots
- Proper feeding
- Regular monitoring
If you’re just starting out, I’d recommend beginning with hardier shrimp species and a well-established planted tank. With patience and the right setup, you’ll have a beautiful, harmonious aquarium that’s a joy to watch!
Would you like me to explain more about any specific aspect of keeping guppies and shrimp together? Drop a comment below – I’d love to help!
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When stocking a new aquarium, it’s important to choose species that can safely cohabitate. Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) are popular for community tanks because they’re small, peaceful, and easy to breed. They also bring a great deal of color and vibrant activity to the tank. But can they get along with freshwater shrimp, do guppies eat shrimp?
It’s possible to keep guppies and shrimp in the same tank but you’ll need to take certain precautions. Here’s what you need to know.
Will Guppies Prey on Shrimp?
Guppies are hardy livebearers that originated in South America but have become one of the most widely distributed tropical fish in the world. Captive-bred species come in a wide array of colors and patterns that have been achieved through selective breeding. They’re prolific breeders, known to reproduce quickly with little involvement from the hobbyist.
In the wild, guppies feed on a variety of foods, and they don’t tend to be picky in the home aquarium. A balanced diet for guppies includes commercial flakes and pellets as well as live, frozen, or freeze-dried small foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp. Guppies may graze on algae in the tank from time to time.
Like many fish, guppies are opportunistic feeders and may eat small invertebrates in the tank like shrimp. Though adult shrimp may be too large to fit in a guppy’s mouth, baby shrimp might not be. Whether your guppies will eat shrimp in the tank depends on how well-fed the guppies are and whether the shrimp have places to hide.
Guppies with Shrimp? Do Guppies Eat Shrimp?
FAQ
What fish won’t eat shrimp?
Many fish will eat shrimp, but some peaceful, smaller species are generally shrimp-safe. Otocinclus catfish and Corydoras catfish are among the safest options as they primarily eat algae and are not inclined to prey on shrimp.
Will fish eat my shrimp?
Smaller shrimp species will be eaten or at least damaged by bigger fish species, while larger shrimps are either finicky filter feeders like Fan shrimps — pictured above — or predators, like Long-arm shrimps.
What will guppy fish eat?
As omnivores, guppies should be fed a varied diet of fed flakes, pellets, freeze-dried, and frozen foods formulated for freshwater fish.