Hey there! Ever wondered why your ghost shrimp keep disappearing from your aquarium? Well, I’ve been keeping aquariums for years and seen my fair share of shrimpie tragedies Today, I’m gonna break down everything about what eats ghost shrimp and how to protect these helpful little guys
Quick Answer
Ghost shrimp often become tasty snacks for larger and aggressive fish like angelfish, bettas, goldfish, discus, and cichlids. But don’t worry! With proper tank setup and careful fish selection, your ghost shrimp can live happily and safely.
Why Fish Attack Ghost Shrimp
Three main factors make ghost shrimp vulnerable in community tanks
- Size Matters
- Ghost shrimp only grow to about 1.5 inches
- Most fish will eat anything that fits in their mouth
- Bigger fish = bigger risk for shrimp
- Tank Environment
- Overcrowded tanks = stressed fish
- Stressed fish = aggressive behavior
- Poor water quality makes things worse
- Food Availability
- Hungry fish look for alternative food
- Ghost shrimp = easy targets
- Regular feeding helps prevent predation
Fish That Will Definitely Eat Your Ghost Shrimp
Stay away from these fish if you wanna keep your shrimpies alive:
1. Angelfish
- Natural predators
- Will eat anything smaller
- Super territorial
2. Goldfish
- Don’t let their cute looks fool you
- Opportunistic eaters
- Especially dangerous during shrimp molting
3. Bettas
- Unpredictable personalities
- Some are chill, others are killers
- Better safe than sorry
4. Discus
- Way too big compared to shrimp
- Temperature requirements don’t match
- Will definitely snack on smaller shrimp
5. Cichlids
- Super aggressive
- Very territorial
- Will attack anything in their space
Safe Tank Mates for Ghost Shrimp
Here’s some fish that usually play nice with ghost shrimp
- Neon Tetras
- Otocinclus
- Small Guppies
- Pygmy Cory Catfish
- Hatchetfish
- Albino Bristlenose Pleco (with adult shrimp only)
How to Protect Your Ghost Shrimp
Want to keep your shrimp safe? Here’s what I do:
- Create Hiding Spots
- Dense plants (Java Fern, Anubias)
- Driftwood
- Small caves
- Rock formations
- Tank Size Matters
- Minimum 10 gallons
- Bigger is better
- More space = less conflict
- Feeding Strategy
- Feed fish 2-3 times daily
- Use automatic feeders
- Consider nocturnal feeding needs
- Smart Introduction
- Add shrimp first
- Introduce young fish
- Rearrange tank when adding new fish
Pro Tips from My Experience
After keeping ghost shrimp for years, here’s what I’ve learned:
- Plant Selection
- Choose plants with dense root systems
- Create multiple layers
- Mix floating and rooted plants
- Territory Management
- Break line of sight
- Create multiple feeding areas
- Avoid open spaces
- Population Control
- Don’t overstock
- Monitor aggression levels
- Remove bullies quickly
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mixing Young Shrimp with Big Fish
- Baby shrimp are extra vulnerable
- Always start with adult shrimp
- Ignoring Water Quality
- Bad water = stressed fish
- Stressed fish = aggressive fish
- Overcrowding
- More fish ≠ better tank
- Follow proper stocking guidelines
Bottom Line
Look, keeping ghost shrimp ain’t rocket science, but it does need some thought. I’ve lost my share of shrimp by making dumb mistakes, but now you don’t have to! Just remember: choose peaceful tank mates, provide plenty of hiding spots, and keep everyone well-fed.
If you’re still seeing your ghost shrimp population decline, take a good look at your tank setup and fish selection. Sometimes the best solution is simply separating your shrimp into their own tank where they can live their best lives without becoming someone else’s snack!
Remember, every tank is different, and what works in one might not work in another. Keep experimenting (safely!) until you find the perfect balance for your aquatic community.
What’s your experience with keeping ghost shrimp? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your stories and tips!
Ghost Shrimp Behavior, Upclose: 30 Second Video
Ghost Shrimp care is relatively easy. They are very active and busy invertebrates tirelessly scouring the tank for food to eat. Always on the go, these shrimp are in their element when kept in an established tank that is not “too clean”. As scavengers, they search the gravel or substrate for little bits of edible material that is otherwise uneaten. To that extent, Ghost Shrimp are decent aquarium cleaners, almost in the same league as Amano Shrimp and Nerite Snails. Ghost Shrimp are small so they may not eat as much as larger invertebrates, but they are constantly picking away at nearly everything they are near.
Ghost Shrimp Food, Size & Color Range
Ghost Shrimp food is broad as they will eat almost anything. They are great pickers and will eat like machines. Ghost Shrimp food can include some forms of algae, dead plant latter and detritus. These shrimp love fish or shrimp pellets, fish flakes, algae wafers or bits otherwise uneaten food. And its a good idea to find food supplements with Calcium, as Calcium is necessary for healthy shell growth. Ghost Shrimp food may also include their fallen tank mates, as they will even feed off dead fish or dead shrimp. Of course, it’s important to take dead inhabitants out of the water quickly otherwise there can be an ammonia spike in the tank. It’s fun to watch Ghost Shrimp swim up and pluck bits of food out of the water. And there is a pecking order with feeding as well. Bigger shrimp eat first.
Can You EAT GHOST SHRIMP?! WEIRDEST SHRIMP EVER!!
FAQ
What animals eat ghost shrimp?
If you can find juvenile ghost shrimp, your Betta may be interested in eating them (heck, some are interested in eating full-grown adult shrimp, too). Given that the Betta’s wild ancestors feed on various bugs, ghost shrimp do indeed make a good meal for your fish.
What kills ghost shrimp?
Common causes of rapid death are improper acclimatization and contaminated water.
Will ghost shrimp get eaten?
Ghost Shrimp are relatively inexpensive and are often purchased as “feeders” for larger more aggressive fish. Some Cichlids can eat Ghost Shrimp all day long. But Ghost Shrimp are more than a tasty snack. They are great aquarium cleaners and can be a lot of fun to watch.
What are the predators of the bay ghost shrimp?
Predators of N. californiensis include gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus), bottom-dwelling fish, and Dungeness crabs (Metacarcinus magister).