As an aquarium enthusiast and proud guppy owner, one of the most common questions I get is whether shrimp will eat guppy fry. As someone who has kept shrimp and guppies together, I can confidently say the answer is no – shrimp and guppy fry can absolutely live together in harmony!
In this article, I’ll take a detailed look at shrimp and guppy fry compatibility, including:
- The nature and behavior of shrimp
- The likelihood of shrimp eating guppy fry
- Tips for keeping shrimp and guppy fry together
- Answering some frequently asked questions
So if you’re considering adding shrimp to your guppy tank read on to learn everything you need to know!
The Peaceful Nature of Shrimp
To understand shrimp and guppy fry compatibility we first need to understand the nature of shrimp. Despite their small size shrimp are generally very peaceful creatures that prefer to avoid confrontation.
The most popular shrimp kept in home aquariums like cherry shrimp, Amano shrimp, and ghost shrimp are primarily herbivores or scavengers. Their main diet consists of algae, biofilm, decaying plant matter, and leftover fish food.
Hunting down guppy fry would take more energy than these shrimp are willing to expend. They may nibble on a dead or dying fry, but they are highly unlikely to pursue healthy fry as a food source.
Additionally, shrimp tend to be reclusive and like having hiding spaces. With ample plants and decor, your shrimp will have plenty of coverage and be less inclined to venture out towards the fry.
Are Shrimp an Active Threat to Guppy Fry?
Now that we understand the nature of shrimp, we can better analyze the likelihood of them eating guppy fry. The simple fact is that shrimp pose little to no active threat to guppy fry.
Healthy fry are fast swimmers that are fully capable of escaping an approaching shrimp. And even if a fry was cornered, shrimp have relatively small mouths and lack the predatory instincts that would compel them to attack.
Out of the countless shrimp/guppy cohabitations I’ve witnessed, I’ve never seen or heard of a shrimp catching and eating a fry. It would take a perfect storm of circumstances for that to happen.
There are always outliers, so it’s not impossible. But in most cases, shrimp are more likely to clean up any fry remains rather than be the cause of death.
Keeping Shrimp and Guppy Fry Together
Now that we’ve determined shrimp are very unlikely to hunt guppy fry, let’s look at some tips for keeping them together:
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Provide plenty of hiding spots. Having ample plants, rocks, driftwood and other decor gives fry places to avoid shrimp if they want. Floating plants are especially great hiding spots.
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Give shrimp food alternatives. Well-fed shrimp are less likely to go after fry. Provide shrimp pellets, blanched veggies, algae wafers, etc.
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Use a spacious tank. Overcrowding causes stress and aggression. A 10-20 gallon tank gives everyone breathing room.
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Introduce the shrimp first. Adding shrimp to an established fry tank can cause territorial issues. Let the shrimp claim space first.
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Test water parameters. Both species do best in clean, warm water. Test for ammonia, nitrites, hardness, pH, etc.
Follow those tips and your shrimp and guppy fry will coexist in shrimpy-guppy harmony!
Frequently Asked Questions About Shrimp and Guppy Fry
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about keeping shrimp and guppy fry together:
Do shrimp eat baby guppies?
It is highly unlikely for shrimp to prey on baby guppies. The peaceful nature of most aquarium shrimp means they do not actively hunt for live fish as food sources. Fry should be safe with shrimp tank mates.
What fish can live with cherry shrimp?
Cherry shrimp are very peaceful and make great tank mates for small, non-aggressive fish like guppies, neon tetras, rasboras, danios, white cloud minnows, and other nano fish. Avoid housing them with predator fish.
Do ghost shrimp eat fish?
While not totally impossible, it would be extremely rare for a ghost shrimp to successfully capture and eat an active, healthy fish. Their small size and peaceful temperament means they pose little threat to guppy fry and other small fish.
Will Amano shrimp eat fish eggs?
Amano shrimp likely won’t hunt for fish eggs as a food source. However, shrimp are opportunistic eaters and may consume dead or unfertilized eggs they come across while grazing. So fish that spawn eggs may not be ideal tank mates. Livebearers like guppies are safer.
Are cherry shrimp compatible with guppies?
Yes, cherry shrimp and guppies can safely cohabitate. Both species are peaceful, enjoy planted tanks, and prefer similar water parameters. With adequate tank space, they can make great community tank mates.
Can you keep shrimp and guppies together in a 5 gallon tank?
A 5 gallon tank is generally too small to keep shrimp and guppies together. The limited space increases aggression and stress levels. A 10 gallon or larger planted tank provides the territory needed to keep shrimp and guppies peacefully.
The Verdict on Shrimp and Guppy Fry
By providing plenty of hiding spots, food, and space, shrimp and guppy fry can safely coexist in a community tank. Follow the tips above, and you can enjoy both shrimp and guppies without any concerns over shrimp eating your precious fry.
With shrimp focused on grazing algae and guppies busy repopulating your tank, you’ll have a thriving mini-ecosystem on your hands. So the next time your guppies spawn a new brood of fry, go ahead and add some shrimp without worries! They’ll be more focused on clean up duty than hunting duties.
