will cory cats eat shrimp

Will Cory Catfish Eat Shrimp? What Shrimp Keepers Need To Know

Cory catfish and shrimp are two of the most popular fish for home aquariums But will cory cats eat shrimp if housed together? This is an important question for aquarists looking to create a thriving community tank

After extensive research, I’ve uncovered the truth about keeping cory catfish with shrimp. While these bottom-dwellers generally coexist peacefully, there are a few factors that impact the safety of shrimp. Keep reading to learn whether corys will eat shrimp and how to prevent any costly losses.

Cory Catfish Diet and Feeding Habits

To understand if corydoras pose a threat to shrimp, we first need to examine their natural diet and feeding habits in the wild.

Cory catfish are omnivorous and will eat both plant and animal matter. Their small mouth size limits them to smaller foods that can fit inside. Common natural foods include:

• Insects
• Worms
• Crustaceans
• Debris
• Algae

These fish are opportunistic eaters and will scavenge the tank looking for morsels. Uneaten fish food, algae, and microorganisms that accumulate on surfaces make up a significant part of their diet.

While corydoras are not aggressive hunters, they will occasionally supplement their diet with tiny critters like brine shrimp. Their sensory barbels help them locate food along the bottom.

When very hungry, some species are known to eat freshwater shrimp and snails. However, most shrimp are too large to be consumed and adult bristlenose plecos have defensive spikes.

So in general, corys pose little threat to most tankmates. Proper feeding is key to prevent them from viewing shrimp as prey.

Cory Catfish and Dwarf Shrimp

Dwarf shrimp like cherry, crystal, and ghost shrimp are the most common choices for community aquariums. Will cory cats eat these popular dwarf species?

The good news is that adult dwarf shrimp are safe with corydoras. Their bodies are far too large for the catfish to swallow whole.

However, very small juvenile shrimp and newly hatched larvae are vulnerable. Young shrimp under 1/4 inch could potentially be eaten if they venture too close to the cory’s mouth.

While baby shrimp losses may occur, this is unlikely to devastate the overall population. Shrimp breed prolifically and will continue multiplying rapidly.

Another concern is shrimp eggs which corys may consume if accessible. Gravid female dwarfs carry eggs underneath their swimmerets until hatching. This helps protect the eggs, though a few may get dislodged.

If breeding shrimp is your priority, keeping them in a separate dedicated tank is advised. But for general community purposes, corydoras present minimal risk to established dwarf shrimp.

Cory Compatibility with Larger Shrimp

What about housing corys with larger shrimp species such as bamboo, vampire, and amano? Adult sizes range from 2-3 inches, making them a poor menu choice.

Their thicker bodies and claws also help defend against predation. Bamboo shrimp even have long legs to perch safely above the substrate.

Rest assured corydoras pose no danger to adult amano, bamboo, vampire, or other large shrimp. Being more active swimmers, larvae and juveniles are also safer than dwarf shrimp babies.

However, issues could arise if the shrimp are already weakened, molting, or dying. Corys are quick to scavenge any dead or dying animals in the tank.

Overall though, these sharks are safe community tankmates for shrimp under normal conditions. Problems are most likely to occur when tanks are overcrowded or food is scarce.

Preventing Cory Catfish From Eating Shrimp

While shrimp predation is uncommon, there are steps you can take to be extra cautious:

• Feed cory catfish sinking wafers, pellets, or other foods so they avoid hunting tankmates. Feed at least 1-2 times daily.

• Provide leaf litter, caves, and plants for plenty of cover and hiding spots. Dense thickets allow shrimp to keep their distance.

• Use a fine mesh guard or sponge over the intake tube of power filters. This prevents baby shrimp from getting sucked in.

• Introduce corys to the tank first before adding shrimp. Let them establish territory and get used to regular feedings.

• Monitor water parameters and nutrition to keep all inhabitants healthy. Weak or dying animals are most vulnerable.

• Add supplemental calcium sources like cuttlebone or shells for shrimp to replace any eggs eaten.

With the right precautions, cory cats and shrimp can coexist without problems in community tanks. Avoid overcrowding, feed your catfish well, and provide ample habitat for shrimp to shelter.

What Shrimp Can You Keep With Corydoras?

Here are some of the most popular shrimp that can be safely housed with cory catfish:

• Ghost shrimp
• Cherry shrimp
• Crystal red shrimp
• Amano shrimp
• Bamboo shrimp
• Vampire shrimp

Shrimp come in so many vibrant colors and patterns these days. Corydoras make excellent cleanup crew tankmates to help keep planted shrimp tanks looking pristine.

Bottom Line: Are Shrimp Safe With Cory Cats?

In closing, there is minimal risk of corydoras eating adult shrimp in most cases. Their small size limits them to much smaller prey.

While babies and larvae are vulnerable, established dwarf shrimp populations will continue thriving and breeding rapidly. Larger shrimp species are even safer tankmates.

With a spacious tank, nutritious diet, and proper tank maintenance, cory catfish and shrimp can coexist peacefully. Be sure to research any new additions carefully and plan aquascapes that meet everyone’s needs.

Your shrimp and catfish will reward you with hours of mesmerizing activity when their basic needs are fulfilled. A little planning goes a long way towards shrimp and cory harmony!