Hey there! As an experienced aquarium enthusiast, I’ve seen lots of confusion around keeping mollies and shrimp together Let me break down everything you need to know about this common compatibility question
The Quick Answer
Yes, mollies will eat shrimp, especially smaller ones and newly molted shrimp. While mollies aren’t aggressive predators, they’re opportunistic feeders who won’t pass up an easy meal. However, with the right setup and precautions, it’s possible to keep them together
Understanding Molly Behavior
Mollies are generally peaceful community fish, but they’re omnivores with these feeding habits:
- Primary diet: Algae, plants, and commercial fish food
- Opportunistic eating: Will snack on small invertebrates
- More likely to eat:
- Baby shrimp (shrimplets)
- Molting shrimp
- Weak or injured shrimp
- Smaller shrimp species
Which Shrimp Are at Risk?
Different shrimp species have different survival rates with mollies
| Shrimp Type | Risk Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ghost Shrimp | Medium | Adults usually okay, juveniles at risk |
| Cherry Shrimp | High | Too small, easily eaten |
| Amano Shrimp | Low | Larger size helps them survive |
| Bamboo Shrimp | Very Low | Too large for mollies to eat |
Making It Work: Tips for Keeping Mollies and Shrimp Together
If you’re determined to keep both species, here’s what I recommend:
1. Tank Setup
- Minimum 20-gallon tank
- Lots of dense plants
- Hiding spots like:
- Driftwood
- Rock caves
- Plant thickets
- Moss clusters
2. Choose the Right Shrimp
- Start with larger species
- Introduce adult shrimp only
- Avoid expensive shrimp varieties initially
3. Feeding Strategy
- Keep mollies well-fed- Provide varied diet- Feed 2-3 times daily- Include protein-rich foods4. Population Management
- Start with a small group of shrimp
- Monitor survival rates
- Add more only if initial group thrives
- Consider separate breeding tanks
Common Problems and Solutions
Problem 1: Mollies Hunting Shrimp
Solution: Add more hiding places and floating plants
Problem 2: Missing Shrimp
Solution: Feed mollies more protein-rich foods
Problem 3: Stressed Shrimp
Solution: Create designated shrimp-only zones with dense vegetation
My Personal Experience
I’ve kept mollies with various shrimp species over the years, and lemme tell ya, it’s been a learning experience! In my heavily planted 30-gallon tank, I’ve had the most success with Amano shrimp. They’re tough little guys and way too big for my mollies to bother.
FAQ
Q: Will baby mollies eat shrimp?
A: Nah, baby mollies are too small to eat shrimp. They’re more focused on microorganisms and tiny food particles.
Q: Can I keep cherry shrimp with mollies?
A: You can try, but honestly, it’s risky. Your cherry shrimp population will probably shrink over time.
Q: Do black mollies eat shrimp?
A: Yep, just like other mollies. The color variety doesn’t affect their eating habits.
Final Thoughts
While keeping mollies and shrimp together isn’t impossible, it does require careful planning and the right setup. If you’re new to the hobby, you might wanna start with either species separately before trying to combine them.
Remember, every tank is unique, and what works in one setup might not work in another. Keep an eye on your fish, be patient, and don’t be afraid to make adjustments as needed.
Want more info about mollies or shrimp care? Drop a comment below, and I’ll be happy to help! Happy fishkeeping, folks!
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this article further?
What do Molly Fish Eat?
Mollies are not picky eaters and are first in line to gobble up anything you drop in the aquarium. Because they are omnivores, provide a good mix of proteins and vegetables in the form of high-quality flakes, pellets, frozen foods, and Repashy Soilent Green gel food. If the mollies often have long strings of normal-colored poop hanging from their bodies, you may be overfeeding them and need to cut back their portion size. Also, if you find they are outcompeting other fish for food, consider feeding fish foods that scatter all throughout the tank to give other animals a chance to eat.
Balloon mollies are bred to have a rounder shape, so check the amount of waste they produce to see if you are overfeeding them.
How to Set Up an Aquarium for Mollies
Depending on the type of molly fish, we recommend getting an aquarium that holds at least 20 gallons of water, but a 29- to 55-gallon tank is more suitable for larger species. For most homes, they require an aquarium heater to raise the temperature to 75-80°F (24-27°C). Given their high tolerance for salt, they also prefer higher pH, KH, and GH.
How many molly fish should I have? As with many livebearers, mollies love to breed, so we recommend getting at least two to three females for every male. This ratio allows the girls to get a break from the boys’ constant attention. (A male can be identified by his stick-shaped anal fin called a gonopodium, whereas a female has a fan-shaped anal fin.)
Female (left) and male (right) sailfin mollies
Do mollies nip the fins of other fish? Generally speaking, mollies are peaceful fish. However, they are very active and often nibble on things to see if they are edible. Therefore, slow-moving, long-finned fish may not be the best tank mates for them.
What fish can you put with mollies? They do well with other community fish that live in similar environmental conditions and are close in size to avoid predation. We’ve had success keeping ours with cory catfish, danios, tetras, loaches, barbs, and other livebearers. Avoid putting larger mollies with smaller animals like cherry shrimp because they will most likely get eaten.