Hey there fellow fish keepers! If you’re thinking about keeping Cory catfish and shrimp together you’ve probably got that burning question – will your cute little Corys turn into shrimp-hunting predators? Well I’ve done extensive research and had hands-on experience with these combinations, so let me break it down for you in simple terms.
The Quick Answer
Cory catfish generally won’t eat adult shrimp, but they might snack on baby shrimp (shrimplets) and shrimp eggs if they get the chance. The good news is that this occasional snacking usually doesn’t affect your overall shrimp population much!
Detailed Breakdown: Will Different Cory Species Eat Shrimp?
Common Cory Catfish Species and Their Shrimp-Eating Habits
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Peppered Corydoras
- Generally peaceful with adult shrimp
- May occasionally eat shrimplets
- Great community tank inhabitants
-
Panda Corys
- Very gentle with adult shrimp
- Might eat brine shrimp (these are actually their favorite food!)
- Safe with larger shrimp species
-
Pygmy Corys
- One of the most shrimp-safe species
- Too small to bother adult shrimp
- May rarely nibble on very tiny shrimplets
-
Albino Corys
- Similar behavior to regular Corys
- Generally peaceful scavengers
- Minimal threat to adult shrimp
Best Shrimp Species to Keep with Corydoras
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Cherry Shrimp
- Hardy and adaptable
- Adults are too big for Corys to eat
- Reproduce quickly enough to maintain population
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Amano Shrimp
- Large size makes them safe
- Strong and active
- Great algae eaters
-
Ghost Shrimp
- Tough and resilient
- Large enough to avoid being eaten
- Affordable option
-
Bamboo Shrimp
- Too large for Corys to bother
- Peaceful filter feeders
- Compatible water parameters
Tips for Successful Cory and Shrimp Cohabitation
Tank Setup
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Provide Plenty of Hiding Spots
- Dense plant growth
- Driftwood pieces
- Rock caves and crevices
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Substrate Choices
- Fine sand for Corys
- Small gravel mix
- Avoid sharp substrates
Feeding Strategy
To keep your Corys from getting too interested in shrimp, try these feeding tips:
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Feed your Corys well with their favorite foods:
- Sinking pellets
- Frozen bloodworms
- Bottom feeder tablets
- Algae wafers
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Feed small portions 2-3 times daily rather than one large feeding
Common Questions I Get Asked
Q: Will Cory catfish eat dead shrimp?
A: Yep, they probably will! Corys are natural scavengers and will help clean up any deceased tank mates, including shrimp.
Q: Do Corys eat shrimp eggs?
A: They might if they find them! Best to provide lots of hiding spots for berried (egg-carrying) shrimp mamas.
Q: Can baby shrimp survive with Corys?
A: Some will become snacks, but with enough hiding places and plants, many will survive to adulthood.
My Personal Experience
In my 29-gallon community tank, I’ve kept various Corydoras species with cherry shrimp for years. While I occasionally see fewer shrimplets than in my shrimp-only tank, the population stays healthy and growing. The key has been providing tons of moss and plants for the babies to hide in!
Pro Tips for Success
- Start with adult shrimp when introducing them to a Cory tank
- Add lots of live plants, especially moss and floating plants
- Feed your Corys well to reduce hunting behavior
- Maintain good water parameters for both species
- Consider starting with less expensive shrimp species until you’re sure of the dynamics
Tank Size Recommendations
For keeping both species together, here’s what I recommend:
- Minimum tank size: 20 gallons
- Ideal tank size: 29-40 gallons
- Best dimensions: Longer tanks provide more territory
Red Flags to Watch For
Keep an eye out for these warning signs:
- Aggressive chasing behavior
- Rapidly declining shrimp population
- Stressed or hiding shrimp
- Corys constantly hunting near shrimp colonies
Final Thoughts
While Cory catfish might occasionally snack on baby shrimp or eggs, they’re generally one of the safer fish species to keep with shrimp. Success really comes down to proper tank setup and maintenance. With enough hiding spots and regular feeding, both species can thrive together!
Remember, every tank is unique, and individual fish may behave differently. Start slow, observe carefully, and adjust as needed. Happy fish keeping!
Have you tried keeping Corys with shrimp? Share your experience in the comments below!
Do cory catfish eat shrimp?
Unlike popular belief, cory catfish don’t eat shrimp. Even small shrimplets rarely get eaten by cory catfish. Since cory catfish aren’t made for hunting, they only eat dead shrimp or leftovers.
If we look closely at cory catfish, we can clearly see they can’t hunt for fish or kill them. Their mouth, which is equipped with two pairs of barbels, is made to scavenge for dead material and rests.
Their mouth turned downwards, and cory catfish are made to live in the bottom layer.
If you plan on breeding cory catfish, shrimp might actually be beneficial for hatching the eggs.
If you’re interested, I’ve written a comprehensive guide with all the best cory catfish tank mates.
Best shrimp to live with corydoras catfish
There are a lot of shrimp species that make great tank mates for cory catfish. Some shrimp are easier than others, making them more suitable for beginners.
The cherry shrimp is one of the most popular shrimp on the market. They are very flexible regarding water parameters, and tank conditions and reproduce fairly easily. Their bright red coloration makes them an attractive choice for many.
Cherry shrimp are rather small, and some people claim cory catfish would eat them. Still, cherry shrimp make not easy prey and cory catfish aren’t great at hunting. In the years I’ve been keeping these shrimp and cory catfish I’ve never seen them get eaten by the cories.
Crystal red shrimp are similar to cherry shrimp but are a little more difficult to care for. This makes them more suitable for a dedicated setup.
However, small cory catfish like pygmy cory catfish can be great tank mates and they are peaceful and calm. Bigger species like Corydoras aeneus (bronze cory catfish) make not as good tank mates, because they might cause more stress.
Amano shrimp are another very popular choice in the aquarium hobby. They can’t however breed in captivity since they need brackish water for their shrimplets to survive.
Amano shrimp are relatively easy to care for and are the biggest species on this list. This makes them a good choice to live with cory catfish and they are less likely to be outcompeted for food.