Cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) are small, peaceful, and beautifully colored pets—but because of their size, they’re often seen as food by other fish. If your goal is to breed shrimp or just keep them stress-free, tank mates must be chosen wisely. This guide breaks down the best options, how to keep shrimp safe, and which species to avoid.
Can Cherry Shrimp Live with Other Shrimp?
Yes, they can live with many types of shrimp—if water needs match.
Compatible Shrimp:
- Amano Shrimp – Peaceful and excellent algae eaters.
- Ghost Shrimp – Active but generally not aggressive.
- Vampire Shrimp – Filter-feeders and too large to bother cherry shrimp.
Avoid:
- Caridina Shrimp (like Crystal Red) – Different water needs.
- Macrobrachium Species – Aggressive and predatory.
Also read: Types of Shrimp
Can Cherry Shrimp Live with Snails?
Yes! Snails are some of the safest and most useful shrimp tank mates.
Best Snails for Shrimp Tanks:
- Nerite Snails – Clean algae and don’t overpopulate.
- Mystery Snails – Peaceful and colorful.
- Ramshorn & Malaysian Trumpet Snails – Safe, but can breed fast.
Also read: What to Feed Aquarium Shrimp
Safe Fish That Can Live with Cherry Shrimp
If you want fish in your shrimp tank, go with small, peaceful ones with tiny mouths. Still, provide moss and plants to help baby shrimp survive.
1. Otocinclus Catfish
- Size: ~2 inches
- Diet: Algae
One of the best tank mates—won’t even bother baby shrimp.These gentle algae eaters clean surfaces without chasing shrimp. They thrive in mature, established tanks with plenty of biofilm.
Learn more: Shrimp Tank Setup
2. Pygmy Corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus)
- Size: ~1 inch
- Diet: Bottom feeder
Peaceful and sociable; prefer being in groups. They roam the tank bottom and usually leave shrimp alone. Add plenty of soft substrate and hiding spots.
3. Chili Rasboras
Size: ~0.75 inches
Too small to eat adult shrimp. Ideal for nano setups. They hover mid-water and rarely bother shrimp on the bottom.
4. Ember Tetras
Size: ~1 inch
Calm, schooling fish. May eat shrimplets if no cover is provided. Add Java Moss or Subwassertang to improve baby shrimp survival.
5. Celestial Pearl Danios
Size: About 1 inch
These spotted beauties are peaceful and shy. They’re sometimes called galaxy rasboras and add a starry night look to your tank.
Tip: They like heavily planted tanks with hiding spots, which also benefits your shrimp.
6. Endler’s Livebearers
Size: ~1 inch
Smaller and less aggressive than guppies. Best kept in male-only groups to avoid overbreeding. Shrimplets need dense plants for safety.
7. Galaxy Rasboras (Danio margaritatus)
Size: ~1 inch
Bright, shy fish. Avoid shrimp except possibly babies. Provide plenty of moss or floating plants for cover.
8.Clown Killifish (Epiplatys annulatus)
Size: ~1.25 inches
Stay near the surface and rarely interact with shrimp. Best in planted tanks with low flow.
9.Kuhli Loach (Pangio kuhlii)
Size: 3–4 inches
Generally ignore adult shrimp. May eat shrimplets. Active at night and need soft substrate to burrow.
Related: How to Raise Baby Shrimp
Tips for Shrimp-Safe Community Tanks
- Add shrimp first to help them settle in.
- Use dense plants like Java Moss or Water Sprite for cover.
- Add sponge filters to avoid sucking in baby shrimp.
- Stick to nano fish or species known to ignore shrimp.
Learn more: Shrimp Tank Setup
Also read: Cherry Shrimp Care Guide
Snail Friends for Cherry Shrimp
Snails make excellent tank mates for cherry shrimp because they’re completely peaceful. Here are the best options:
10. Nerite Snails
Why they’re great: These snails eat algae without harming plants. They can’t breed in freshwater tanks, so they won’t take over your aquarium.
Tip: One nerite snail per 5 gallons of water is a good rule.
11. Mystery Snails
Why they’re great: These colorful snails come in gold, blue, ivory, and black. They grow to about the size of a golf ball and eat leftover food and algae.
Tip: They’re the most active snails and fun to watch as they cruise around your tank.
12. Ramshorn Snails
Why they’re great: These small, spiral-shelled snails help clean tanks by eating leftover food and dead plant matter.
Tip: They breed easily, so only add a few. You can control their population by not overfeeding.
Other Shrimp and Invertebrates
Want to keep more than just cherry shrimp? These tank mates work well:
13. Amano Shrimp
Size: 1-2 inches
Why they’re great: Slightly larger than cherry shrimp, these hard-working cleaners eat all types of algae. They’re peaceful and won’t crossbreed with cherry shrimp.
Tip: Each Amano shrimp can clean a surprising amount of algae. 1-2 per 10 gallons works well.
14. Thai Micro Crabs
Size: Tiny! About 1/2 inch leg span
Why they’re great: These peaceful mini-crabs won’t hurt your shrimp and add variety to your tank.
Tip: They’re very shy and need lots of hiding places.
15. Bamboo Shrimp
Size: 2-3 inches
Why they’re great: These larger shrimp are filter feeders who sit in the current with fan-like claws to catch floating food particles.
Tip: They need good water flow and different food than cherry shrimp. Add liquid foods designed for filter feeders.
Fish to Avoid with Cherry Shrimp
Some fish are just too aggressive or curious to trust around shrimp:
- Betta Fish
- Goldfish
- Cichlids
- Gouramis
- Pea Puffers
- Rainbowfish
- Angelfish
These fish will either harass shrimp, eat them, or create too much stress.
Important: Even with “safe” fish, baby shrimp may still be at risk. More plants and hiding spots increase survival rates.
Can Cherry Shrimp Live with Guppies or Tetras?
- Guppies: It depends. Males are less risky, but babies are vulnerable.
- Neon Tetras: Adults can live peacefully; shrimplets may be at risk.
Final Thoughts
With careful planning, cherry shrimp can thrive in a community tank. Focus on peaceful, small fish, add plenty of plants, and give shrimp a head start in the tank. With the right balance, you’ll enjoy a colorful, active tank where both shrimp and fish can flourish.
