Hey there! I’ve been keeping cherry shrimp for over 5 years now, and one of the most common questions I get is about finding the perfect tank mates for these adorable red creatures. Today, I’m gonna share everything you need to know about choosing fish that can safely live with your cherry shrimp.
Quick Answer
The best fish tank mates for cherry shrimp are small, peaceful species like
- Ember Tetras
- Chili Rasboras
- Otto Catfish
- Pygmy Corydoras
- Celestial Pearl Danios
These fish are gentle enough to coexist with your shrimp without causing stress or predation.
Important Considerations Before Adding Tank Mates
Before we dive into the specific fish species, here’s what you need to keep in mind:
- Size Matters: Choose fish smaller than 2 inches
- Temperament: Look for peaceful, non-aggressive species
- Tank Setup: Provide plenty of hiding spots with plants and decorations
- Water Parameters: Ensure compatible temperature and pH requirements
- Feeding Habits: Avoid predatory fish that might see shrimp as food
Best Fish Tank Mates for Cherry Shrimp
1. Ember Tetra
- Size: 0.8 inches
- Temperature: 73-84°F
- Compatibility Rating: 4/5
- Tank Size: 10+ gallons
These tiny orange beauties are perfect companions for cherry shrimp I’ve kept them together for years, and they’re absolutely wonderful! They stick to the middle-upper water column, leaving plenty of space for shrimp to forage below
2. Chili Rasbora
- Size: 0.8 inches
- Temperature: 68-82°F
- Compatibility Rating: 5/5
- Tank Size: 5-10 gallons
These are my personal favorites! They’re super tiny and peaceful, making them ideal tankmates. Plus, their red coloration complements cherry shrimp beautifully.
3. Otto Catfish
- Size: 1.6 inches
- Temperature: 72-82°F
- Compatibility Rating: 5/5
- Tank Size: 10+ gallons
Otos are amazing algae eaters that mind their own business. They’re peaceful bottom dwellers that won’t compete with your shrimp for territory.
4. Pygmy Corydoras
- Size: 1.2 inches
- Temperature: 72-79°F
- Compatibility Rating: 5/5
- Tank Size: 10+ gallons
These adorable little catfish are perfect shrimp companions They’re bottom dwellers but super gentle and won’t bother your shrimp at all,
Other Compatible Tank Mates
Small Invertebrates
- Ghost Shrimp
- Amano Shrimp
- Nerite Snails
- Thai Micro Crabs
Peaceful Nano Fish
- Celestial Pearl Danio
- Endler’s Livebearers
- Harlequin Rasbora
- Glowlight Rasbora
Tank Mates to Avoid
Stay away from these fish species:
- Bettas (even though they’re small, they’re predatory)
- Goldfish (too big and messy)
- Cichlids (aggressive and will hunt shrimp)
- Gouramis (known to snack on shrimp)
- Large Tetras (might eat baby shrimp)
Tips for Success
- Provide Plenty of Cover
I always recommend adding these hiding spots:- Dense plant growth- Moss balls- Driftwood- Rock caves- Floating plants-
Proper Tank Size
For a community tank with cherry shrimp and fish, I’d recommend at least a 10-gallon setup. More space = more stability! -
Feeding Strategy
Make sure to:
- Feed in different areas of the tank
- Use appropriate sized foods
- Include both bottom-feeding and floating foods
- Feed small amounts multiple times per day
Setting Up Your Community Tank
Here’s my tried-and-tested setup for a successful cherry shrimp community tank:
- Tank Size: 20 gallons
- Substrate: Fine gravel or sand
- Plants: Java moss, Anubias, Cryptocoryne
- Decorations: Small caves, driftwood
- Filter: Sponge filter (safe for baby shrimp)
- Temperature: 72-78°F
- pH: 6.5-7.5
Finding the right tank mates for your cherry shrimp isn’t rocket science, but it does require some careful consideration. I’ve had great success with the combinations mentioned above, especially with nano fish species. Remember, when in doubt, go for smaller, peaceful fish that won’t view your shrimp as a tasty snack!
Got any questions about keeping cherry shrimp with other fish? Drop them in the comments below! I’d love to hear about your experiences too.
Category #2: Small Algae Eaters
While most aquarium fish are not purely herbivorous, there are several species that like to graze on algae and aufwuchs (e.g., aquatic microflora growing on underwater surfaces). Otocinclus catfish are amazing algae eaters that are both peaceful and small in size. In our experience, they are slower eaters and most likely will not outcompete your shrimp. Stiphodon gobies are another type of nano aufwuchs grazer with a suction cup-like mouth built for scraping biofilm and microorganisms off rocks. Finally, consider dwarf plecos, like the clown pleco (Panaqolus maccus), that are known for eating algae and wood. While any of these fish may opportunistically snack on a baby shrimp, they generally leave the adult shrimp alone.
Category #1: Small Invertebrates
Our first idea for shrimp-safe tank mates is to look at other nano invertebrates. For example, little snails — like nerite, mystery, bladder, and Malaysian trumpet snails — are mostly scavengers and detritivores that won’t eat living shrimp. They do like to eat the same types of foods as cherry shrimp though, so you may see fewer shrimp babies if the snail population outbreeds them. Larger filter-feeding shrimp, such as bamboo and vampire shrimp, are also a good choice because they predominantly eat tiny particles floating in the water. Similarly, Thai micro crabs use their hairy claws and legs to grab little crumbs, but they are quite shy and may be hard to spot in your aquarium.
Vampire or African fan shrimp (Atya gabonensis)
Other dwarf shrimp, like amano and ghost shrimp, can do well with cherry shrimp because they are roughly the same size and have similar care requirements. However, crystal shrimp and other Caridina shrimp may not be a good fit because they often prefer drastically different water parameters than cherry shrimp. While some hobbyists have kept them together, we often find that one shrimp colony tends to be happier and reproduce more than the other colony. Finally, avoid bigger crustaceans — such as long-arm shrimp, prawns, crayfish, and lobsters — because they are voracious creatures that will consume any source of protein they can find, including their smaller cousins.
Top 12 Tank Mates for Cherry Shrimp You Need to Try!
FAQ
Can I keep cherry shrimp with other fish?
They do best when kept in groups with other shrimp, but you don’t necessarily have to keep them only with other cherry shrimp. In fact, cherry shrimp can get along with a variety of tank mates including freshwater snails, freshwater crabs, and small freshwater fish, also known as nano fish.
What fish pair well with shrimp?
If you’re looking for fish that won’t mess with your shrimp, go for peaceful ones like neon tetras, guppies, cherry barbs, or Corydoras catfish. Even a Betta can work, but only if it’s the solo fish in the tank. These fish are calm enough to let your shrimp do their thing and even breed in peace!
What fish won’t eat baby cherry shrimp?
Otocinclus is the safest fish in the aquarium hobby. They are peaceful herbivores, so that they won’t disturb other creatures in your aquarium. Otos will eat the same foods as red cherry shrimp – algae, blanched vegetables, etc., so they can eat each other’s leftovers. They also like the exact water temperature and pH.