Guppies are some of the most popular aquarium fish and shrimp take the cake on freshwater invertebrates. But can guppies live with shrimp? The good news is that guppies and shrimp are compatible, as long as you take certain precautions to keep all the inhabitants of your tank safe.
In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the compatibility of guppies and freshwater shrimp and provide simple tips for cultivating and maintaining a peaceful aquarium environment.
Why Keep Guppies with Shrimp?
Beginning aquarium hobbyists often go in one of two directions. Those looking to keep things simple with a small tank frequently turn to freshwater dwarf shrimp. Hobbyists with a little more tank space might opt for guppies, especially those looking to cultivate a community tank setup. As it turns out, however, you might not need to decide between these two popular stocking options at all.
Guppies and shrimp are something of a dynamic duo. They’re both known for their vibrant colors and adaptability to various conditions. Both guppies and shrimp thrive in similar environments, too. Stability is the most important factor in keeping either species, as both can tolerate a range of water parameters, but consistency is key. If you have a mature aquarium and you’re looking for low-maintenance stock, a combination of guppies and shrimp might be the ideal choice.
7 Things to Keep in Mind
While guppies and shrimp have the potential to get along in an aquarium, it really comes down to the setup of your tank and how well you maintain it. Here are some key factors to consider before you add guppies to your shrimp tank (or vice versa).
Species
Though guppies are pretty hardy and adaptable, some freshwater shrimp have specific requirements when it comes to tank parameters. Test your tap water and use the results to narrow down your options on shrimp species. If your tap water is naturally hard, you shouldn’t have a problem, but if it’s very soft you might need to incorporate substrate or décor to raise the pH to a suitable level.
Tank size
Neither guppies nor popular freshwater shrimp species tend to grow more than 2 inches long, so they’re a great fit for small tanks. If you plan to combine the two, however, you’ll need to increase your tank volume. Don’t forget guppies will need horizontal space for swimming while shrimp don’t mind climbing to take advantage of vertical surfaces.
Decorations
When keeping guppies and shrimp together, pay particular attention to how you decorate your tank. Guppies may not bother adult shrimp but small and baby shrimp will need places to hide from hungry mouths. If you’re hoping to increase your shrimp population, include shelter décor like carpeting live plants, driftwood, and caves your guppies won’t be able to access. You can check more out on Shrimpy Business!
Feeding
Neither guppies nor shrimp are particularly picky when it comes to food but the challenge in keeping both will be making sure some of the food sinks for your shrimp to find. Guppies aren’t shy about chasing down sinking food, so consider installing a feeding tube for your shrimp or distract your guppies with floating pellets or flakes at feeding time so your shrimp food has time to sink. Find out more here if you’re scared of guppies eating your shrimp!
Tank maturity
Make sure your tank is fully cycled before adding guppies or shrimp and, when it’s time to stock the tank, do so gradually to avoid overwhelming your biological filter. Consider adding a few guppies first, giving the tank time to accumulate some natural algae and biofilm your shrimp can feed on once they’re introduced to the tank.
Maintenance
Keeping the water quality in your tank high is essential for a healthy shrimp colony and for achieving optimal coloration in your guppies. Get in the habit of performing regular water changes and test your tank water on a weekly basis to monitor for problematic fluctuations in pH or nutrient levels.
Breeding
Something aquarium hobbyists love about both guppies and shrimp is that they tend to breed readily. If you’re not prepared to handle a growing population of one species, adding a second might be pushing it. Make sure your tank is large enough to accommodate two breeding groups or make a plan to separate or cull whatever your tank can’t handle.
Finally, keep in mind that it may be impossible to completely prevent your guppies from eating the occasional shrimp. Taking care to provide plenty of shelter for your shrimp and offering an adequate diet for both species can minimize the issue, but be prepared to see some shrimp go missing from time to time.
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