Hey there, fellow fish enthusiasts! I’ve been keeping aquariums for years, and one of the most common questions I get from newbies is about mixing Cory cats with shrimp. Today, we’re gonna dive deep into this topic and I’ll share everything you need to know about keeping these adorable bottom dwellers together.
The Quick Answer
In general, Cory catfish and shrimp (especially Neocaridina) can coexist peacefully in the same tank. While Corys might occasionally snack on baby shrimp, they typically won’t hunt adult shrimp. However, there’s more to consider for a successful pairing.
Understanding Cory Catfish Behavior
Cory cats are peaceful bottom dwellers that typically:
- Feed on leftover food and detritus
- Prefer to scavenge rather than hunt
- Are social creatures that do best in groups
- Have small mouths unsuited for catching large prey
The Shrimp Situation
When it comes to keeping shrimp with Corys here’s what you should know
Adult Shrimp
- Generally safe from Cory cats
- Can defend themselves
- Usually too big for Corys to eat
Baby Shrimp
- More vulnerable to predation
- Might become snacks for hungry Corys
- Need hiding places to survive
Tips for Successful Cohabitation
To make sure your Corys and shrimp live happily together, follow these tips:
-
Provide Plenty of Cover
- Dense plant growth
- Moss patches
- Small caves and crevices
- Driftwood pieces
-
Maintain Proper Tank Conditions
- Clean water
- Regular maintenance
- Stable parameters
- Adequate tank size (20+ gallons recommended)
-
Feeding Strategy
- Feed your Corys well
- Provide varied diet
- Include sinking pellets
- Add veggie wafers for shrimp
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Listen up! Here are some rookie mistakes I’ve seen people make:
❌ Overcrowding the tank
❌ Not providing enough hiding spots
❌ Keeping single Cory cats
❌ Ignoring water parameters
❌ Overfeeding
Plant Recommendations
These plants work great for creating safe spaces:
- Java Moss
- Christmas Moss
- Guppy Grass
- Hornwort
- Water Sprite
Setting Up Your Tank
Here’s my tried-and-true setup process:
- Start with a well-cycled tank
- Add plants and hiding spots first
- Introduce Cory cats
- Wait 2-3 weeks
- Add adult shrimp
- Monitor behavior
Feeding Schedule
I recommend this feeding routine:
| Time | Food Type |
|---|---|
| Morning | Sinking pellets |
| Afternoon | Veggie wafers |
| Evening | Frozen/live food |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here’s what to watch for:
Signs of Stress in Shrimp
- Hiding constantly
- Not foraging
- Rapid swimming
Signs of Unhappy Corys
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Swimming alone
Success Stories
Many aquarists, including myself, have successfully kept thriving colonies of shrimp alongside Cory cats. The key is proper setup and maintenance.
Final Thoughts
While there’s always a small risk when keeping any fish with shrimp, Cory cats are among the safest tank mates you can choose. Just remember to:
- Create plenty of hiding spots
- Keep your Corys well-fed
- Start with adult shrimp
- Monitor the community
If you follow these guidelines, you’ll likely end up with a fascinating display of these wonderful creatures living together harmoniously.
FAQs
Q: Can I keep single Cory cats with shrimp?
A: Nah, Corys need friends! Keep them in groups of 6 or more.
Q: What’s the minimum tank size?
A: I’d say at least 20 gallons for a proper community setup.
Q: Do I need live plants?
A: Not necessarily, but they sure help! Artificial plants can work too.
Additional Resources
Looking to learn more? Check out these helpful links:
- Local aquarium societies
- Online fish keeping forums
- Shrimp-specific communities
Remember, every tank is different, and what works for one might not work for another. Keep observing your fish and shrimp, and make adjustments as needed. Happy fish keeping, everyone!
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.