Do Ghost Shrimp Eat Snails? What Aquarists Need To Know

As an aquarist, you may be wondering if ghost shrimp will eat the snails in your tank. This is an important question to answer, especially if you want to keep both ghost shrimp and snails together. After keeping ghost shrimp myself and researching the topic extensively, here is what I’ve learned about the snail-eating habits of ghost shrimp.

An Overview of Ghost Shrimp Behavior

Ghost shrimp, also known as glass shrimp, are a popular freshwater crustacean kept by aquarists. They have a pale, translucent appearance that gives them a “ghostly” look.

Ghost shrimp are generally considered peaceful creatures that make good tank mates for small, non-aggressive fish. They are efficient scavengers and will eat any uneaten food they find in the tank. Ghost shrimp are omnivores and opportunistic feeders – they will eat both plant and animal matter.

In terms of behavior, each individual ghost shrimp has its own personality. Some are quite shy and tentative while others are more bold and adventurous. Under the right conditions ghost shrimp can thrive in a community tank and generally leave other inhabitants alone. However, they can become aggressive if they feel threatened or are competing for limited resources.

Do Ghost Shrimp Eat Snails?

The short answer is yes, ghost shrimp are capable of eating snails. However they typically only go after injured dying, or very small snails. Healthy adult snails with strong shells are usually safe from ghost shrimp. Here are some key points

• Ghost shrimp will eat the tender flesh and eggs of small snails like bladder snails and ramshorn snails. They may also nip the tentacles of larger snails.

• Snails with thin shells like nerites are more vulnerable to attack than snails with thick, hard shells like mystery snails.

• Ghost shrimp are opportunistic feeders and will scavenge any dead or dying snails they find.

• Underfed ghost shrimp or ones kept in overcrowded conditions are more likely to go after healthy snails.

• Species like the macrobrachium ghost shrimp are known for being more predatory and may hunt small snails.

So in most cases, ghost shrimp will ignore healthy adult snails, especially larger varieties with durable shells. But they will take advantage of any weak, dying, or juvenile snails they encounter.

Tips to Limit Snail Eating

If you want to keep ghost shrimp with snails, here are some tips to limit snail predation:

• Keep shrimp well-fed with protein-rich foods like shrimp pellets or blanched veggies. This reduces the need to hunt snails for food.

• Provide plenty of hiding spots with plants and decor so snails and shrimp establish their own territories.

• Use larger snail species over 1 inch in diameter like nerites, mysteries, apple snails since they are less vulnerable.

• Avoid overcrowding the tank which can induce aggression in ghost shrimp.

• Maintain stable, optimal water parameters and temperature around 70°F to keep shrimp docile.

• Remove any dead or dying fish or snails since ghost shrimp will scavenge them.

• For breeding tanks, exclude or isolate the “predatory” macrobrachium ghost shrimp.

By following these tips, you can successfully keep most snail varieties with ghost shrimp. Some predation may still occur on smaller or weaker snails, but a proper tank setup minimizes the risks. Observe your shrimp carefully and remove any that show unusually aggressive snail-hunting behaviors.

Snails That Can Live With Ghost Shrimp

Here are some of the most popular types of snails that can safely cohabitate with ghost shrimp:

Nerite Snails

These small to medium snails have patterned shells and are prolific algae eaters. Their hard shell protects them from ghost shrimp, though shrimp may nip their tentacles.

Mystery and Apple Snails

Their thick shells and large size (over 2 inches diameter) makes them difficult prey for ghost shrimp to tackle. Avoid mini mystery snails which are more vulnerable.

Malaysian Trumpet Snails

These small conical-shelled snails bury themselves in the substrate, keeping them inaccessible to shrimp. TheirTrapdooroperculum also helps protect them when retracted in their shell.

Ramshorn Snails

Their round coiled shells offer decent protection, though shrimp may eat small juveniles under 1/2 inch diameter. Use larger adults over 1 inch instead.

Rabbit Snails

Their large size (up to 3 inches) makes them impossible for ghost shrimp to eat. Ensure adequate calcium levels for their shell health.

When to Keep Snails and Shrimp Separate

In some cases, it may be safer to keep ghost shrimp and snails in separate tanks. Here are instances when splitting them up is better:

• In a snail breeding tank, to protect tiny juvenile snails which are very vulnerable to predation.

• If you notice aggressive snail-eating behaviors from specific ghost shrimp.

• When keeping delicate species like Assassin snails which have thin shells.

• In a tank with high-priced, prized snails you want to protect.

Ghost shrimp can and will eat small, weak, or dying snails if given the chance. However, they generally leave healthy adult snails alone, especially larger species with thick shells. By providing plenty of food, adequate space, appropriate tank mates, and stable water conditions, ghost shrimp and snails can safely cohabit in an aquarium. With a proper setup and close observation of shrimp behavior, these popular invertebrates can exist together in a thriving community tank.