do cory cats eat shrimp

Do Cory Cats Eat Shrimp? (Explained in Detail)

Cory catfish and shrimp are two of the most popular fishkeeping pets. Their peaceful nature and small sizes make them ideal tankmates for community aquariums. However some aquarists wonder if cory cats will eat shrimp.

The simple answer is yes, cory catfish may eat shrimp under certain circumstances. However, in most cases, cory cats and shrimp can safely live together in the same tank.

In this article, I’ll explain in detail the complex relationship between cory catfish and shrimp. I’ll cover whether different cory species will eat various shrimp species, as well as factors that increase the likelihood of corys preying on shrimp.

Will Cory Catfish Eat Adult Shrimp?

Most cory catfish species won’t be able to eat full grown adult shrimp due to size constraints. Even the largest cory species max out at around 2.5 inches in length.

In contrast, many popular shrimp species such as cherry shrimp, ghost shrimp, and amano shrimp reach lengths of 1.5-2 inches as adults. Their bodies are simply too large for most cory mouths to swallow whole.

The only possible exceptions are the pygmy cory species (e.g. pygmy corydoras) and very small shrimp like dwarf shrimp. But even in these cases, predation is quite rare as long as the cory’s belly is full.

So in most cases, adult shrimp are safe from cory catfish as long as they are larger than the cory’s mouth and the cory is not desperately hungry. Providing supplemental foods like algae wafers will help satiate cory appetites.

Will Cory Catfish Eat Baby Shrimp?

While adult shrimp are generally safe, cory catfish are much more likely to eat baby shrimp and shrimp eggs. The main factor is simply size.

Newborn baby shrimp are only a few millimeters long, making them the perfect snack size for hungry cory cats. Species known for actively hunting like green cory cats and albino cory cats are especially likely to seek out and consume any baby shrimp or eggs they find.

Even typically peaceful species like panda corydoras may opportunistically eat baby shrimp that swim near their mouths. So cory enthusiasts looking to breed shrimp should house the shrimp separately or provide plenty of dense planting for hiding spots.

Interestingly, the impact of cory predation on overall shrimp colony growth is often minimal. Shrimp produce many babies and cory appetites are limited. But those focused specifically on breeding may want to limit cory numbers and provide supplemental foods.

What Shrimp Species Are Safest With Cory Cats?

Larger shrimp species are the safest options for housing with cory cats, as they minimize the chances of predation. Some top choices include:

• Amano shrimp – Can reach 2 inches in length and are too big for cory mouths. Their constant activity also helps avoid ambushes.

• Ghost shrimp – Grow nearly as large as amanos. Their transparent bodies make them harder for corys to spot and attack.

• Bamboo shrimp – Reach lengths over 3 inches, making them totally cory-proof. Their filter feeding habits reduce food competition.

• Vampire shrimp – At 4 inches long, vampire shrimp dwarfs any cory catfish. Its formidable appearance and large size protect it from predation.

Conversely, tiny shrimp species are at higher risk:

• Dwarf shrimp like Neocaridina and Caridina species – Their tiny adult size of under 1 inch makes them vulnerable to even pygmy corys.

• Freshwater brine shrimp – These live foods often used to feed fish are basically shrimp-flavored candy for corys.

So when in doubt, choose larger shrimp species over miniature varieties to minimize losses. Making sure corys are well-fed can further reduce any opportunistic shrimp snacking.

What Cory Species Are Most Likely To Eat Shrimp?

As mentioned above, the most likely shrimp predators are smaller cory species with big appetites and active dispositions. Some cory varieties to use caution with include:

• Pygmy corydoras – Their tiny mouths can easily slurp up baby dwarf shrimp. Groups may actively hunt weaker shrimp.

• Dwarf corydoras – Another tiny cory species that could prey on dwarf shrimp.

• Panda corydoras – One of the most energetic and voracious cory species. They will eat anything that fits in their mouths.

• Emerald corydoras – More active hunters than bronze corys. Their green color provides camouflage when stalking shrimp.

• Peppered corydoras – Will consume any meaty foods including live or frozen baby brine shrimp.

In contrast, some of the least likely shrimp eaters include:

• Bronze corydoras – Slow moving and easily satisfied with prepared foods. Too large to eat most baby shrimp.

• Sterbai corydoras – Prefer to scavenge algae wafers and dropped fish food from the bottom.

• Julii corydoras – Relatively inactive bottom dwellers compared to other cory species. Not aggressive hunters.

So lean towards docile, larger cory species if housing with shrimp. And as always, provide supplemental foods to distract the corys from shrimp hunting.

Factors That Increase Chances of Corys Eating Shrimp

While cory and shrimp cohabitation is often successful, there are some scenarios that boost the odds of predation. Things to avoid include:

• Underfeeding – Hungry corys are much more likely to turn shrimplets into snacks. Make sure to provide enough sinking foods.

• Aggressive tankmates – Bullying fish may stress shrimp, making them more vulnerable to ambush. Corys may also become more territorial.

• Lack of hiding spots – Heavily planted tanks give shrimp refuge and places to breed safely. An open tank floor leaves them exposed.

• Small tank size – Close quarters increase competition for resources. Overcrowding stresses fish which can lead to aggressiveness.

• Poor water quality – Environmental stress brings out the worst in tank inhabitants. Both corys and shrimp may behave more aggressively.

So in addition to stocking compatible species, also pay attention to tank conditions. Avoid overcrowding, underfeeding, and aggression-inducing tankmates.

Can You Keep Cory Fry and Shrimp Together?

Cory fry are basically tiny replicas of adult corys. So the same rules apply when housing cory fry with shrimp.

Tiny newborn corys could potentially eat newborn shrimp, but likely won’t bother larger juveniles and adults. However, adult shrimp may view cory fry as food and prey on them.

Therefore, it’s best to separate cory fry into their own rearing tank without shrimp. Wait until the corys are large enough not to be eaten before mixing them into the main community tank.

The Bottom Line

Here is the summary on cory catfish and shrimp cohabitation:

• Adult shrimp are generally too large to be eaten by most cory species. But babies and eggs are at risk.

• Smaller cory varieties like pygmy corys have the highest likelihood of predation. Larger bronze corys rarely bother shrimp.

• Well-fed corys in heavily planted tanks are less likely to hunt shrimp. Underfeeding and lack of cover increase predation chances.

So with proper tank maintenance and species selection, cory catfish and shrimp can safely live together in most cases. But be prepared to move vulnerable babies and eggs if breeding shrimp is your priority.