Shrimp has become widely popular among aquarists for many reasons. Perhaps you like that they come in different sizes and colors, which further make your tank attractive and calming.
You may love the fact that shrimp is a low-maintenance creature that won’t require a special diet. Or you simply appreciate them for being scavengers that can help in cleaning your tank.
Whatever your motivation is for having shrimps in your tank, you may have wondered at least once: “what fish can live with shrimp?”
The quick answer to this question is: small, friendly, and non-carnivorous fishes are best for inclusion in a tank with shrimp.
The good news is that there are many fishes capable of coexisting with shrimps. Continue reading to know more about fishes that can live with shrimps.
Fishes that Can Live with Shrimp
Here are the fishes that can keep with shrimp in your tank:
Betta fish
If you’ve been asking “what fish can live with Amano shrimp?”, then this is the fish you have been looking for.
Also known as the Siamese fighting fish, the Betta fish is notorious for being an anti-social fish. It can live on its own. However, it surprisingly can coexist with shrimp in a tank, especially a large one.
Extremely territorial and aggressive, the Betta fish thrives in a tank with soft water and temperatures of 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Otocinclus Catfish
A peaceful fish that feeds on algae, the Otocinclus Catfish is considered a perfect tankmate for any shrimp. This small catfish can grow up to 2 inches in length. It thrives in a tank with a water temperature between 73 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
You’ll love that the Otocinclus Catfish comes in exciting and attractive colors. One variety, the Zebra Otocinclus, has white and black stripes. The common Oto catfish’s body is colored brown and white.
Expect to pay more, however, if you choose to buy the Zebra oto instead of the common Oto catfish.
Neon Tetra
Wondering what fish can live with cherry shrimp? Then the neon tetra should be on top of your shopping list.
Similar to the Otocinclus catfish, the neon tetra is a small fish that won’t pose any threat to shrimp. It can grow up to 1.2 inches and thrive in water temperatures ranging from 70 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
A peaceful fish, the neon tetra has a small mouth so it won’t likely eat shrimp at all. Its bright-colored body would make it a great partner with a blue velvet shrimp.
Cory Catfish
What fish can live with ghost shrimp? This tiny bottom dweller can also coexist with shrimp because of its temperament.
Cory catfish can grow up to 3 inches in length. It does well in a tank with temperatures between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
The cory catfish is also a low-maintenance fish that won’t require any special food. In fact, like the shrimp, it is a scavenging tank creature. This means that the cory catfish can also help clean your tank by feeding on uneaten food.
Dwarf Rasbora
If you’re looking for a fish that can add colors to your tank, and live in harmony with shrimp, then get a Dwarf Rasbora.
Also called the Pygmy Rasbora, this fish is noted for its bright red colors. It is also an active fish that would swim ceaselessly across the tank, making it noticeable to everyone.
Yet despite its active nature, the Dwarf Rasbora is a peaceful fish. This disposition makes it an ideal tank mate with fishes and shrimps.
It also thrives in a tank with water temperatures between 68 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. This fish should be kept in a tank of at least 5 gallons.
This fish is also not a picky eater at all. But it would thrive if provided with a carnivorous diet ranging from flake food to micro worms.
Bristlenose Pleco
Here are another short and peace-loving catfish that can live with shrimp. The bristlenose pleco is popular among aquarists because it is small, peaceful, active, and fun to watch.
Unlike other catfishes that can grow up to 20 inches long, the bristlenose pleco can only reach 5 inches in length. A peaceful and sociable bottom-dwelling fish, it can coexist with practically any type of shrimp.
Moreover, you would likely fall in love with its appearance. The bristlenose pleco usually comes in green, brown, or gray colors with yellow or white spots. This fish certainly can add color to your tank.
Other Helpful Tips
These fishes will live in harmony with shrimp. However, there are also certain things you need to keep in mind when adding fish and shrimp to your tank.
First, shrimps are likely to grow or thrive in smaller tanks. Aim to have 15 shrimps per every five gallons of water.
You might want to start with a tank full of shrimp first before adding the aforementioned fishes. And then add juvenile fishes so the creatures will be accustomed to having shrimp in their environs.
Lastly, shrimps aren’t the best at reacting to changes in water conditions. Therefore, you should minimize water changes at least once a week.
Conclusion
So, what fish can live with shrimp? The answer would be fish that are small and non-aggressive.
These fishes include Otocinclus catfish, Neon Tetra, Cory catfish, Dwarf Rasbora, and Bristlenose pleco. These fishes are small and friendly that it’s unlikely for them to eat shrimp. Moreover, most of them are lower fishes that don’t need any special diet.
You can be sure that these fishes will get along with the shrimp in your tank. This is particularly true if you start with a tank full of shrimp.
Then introduce these fishes as juveniles, so that the creatures inside the aquarium would be acclimated with each other. Follow these steps and tips so that your shrimp would coexist well with your fishes in the tank.
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