Do Gouramis Eat Shrimp? A Detailed Look at Gourami and Shrimp Compatibility

Gouramis and shrimps can make for interesting tank mates Their contrasting colors and behaviors can really make an aquarium pop. However, many aquarists wonder if mixing these two is safe, specifically do gouramis eat shrimp?

In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at gourami and shrimp compatibility. We’ll discuss the general behaviors of both species, look at specific types of gouramis and shrimps, and make recommendations on ideal pairings.

An Overview of Gourami Behavior

Gouramis are a family of freshwater fish belonging to the Osphronemidae family There are many different gourami species and varieties, but some general traits apply to most

• Omnivorous – gouramis will eat both plant and animal matter, including brine shrimp and other small crustaceans.

• Territorial – male gouramis can be aggressive toward each other, especially in smaller tanks.

• Top to mid-level swimmers – gouramis primarily inhabit the upper and middle areas of the tank

• Moderate activeness – gouramis are not hyperactive but do swim around frequently.

So in terms of diet and behavior, many gourami species could pose a threat to shrimp tank mates. Their omnivorous appetite, mid-level swimming patterns, and occasional aggression put shrimp in harm’s way.

An Overview of Shrimp Behavior

Shrimps belong to the decapod order of crustaceans. There are both saltwater and freshwater shrimp species available to aquarists. Some general traits:

• Omnivorous or herbivorous – most shrimps eat algae, plant matter, and scavenge food debris. Not active predators.

• Bottom-dwellers – shrimp spend most time foraging along the tank bottom and on decor.

• Peaceful – shrimp generally ignore or avoid tank mates, even small fish.

• Sensitive to water conditions – shrimp require clean, stable water parameters.

Based on these tendencies, shrimp can be vulnerable to more aggressive mid and top-level fish like gouramis. Their peaceful nature and position on the tank floor also put them directly in the path of hungry gouramis.

Specific Gourami Types and Shrimp Compatibility

While the general behaviors above provide some guidance, looking at specific gourami types in more detail can give us better insight into shrimp compatibility:

Dwarf Gourami

Dwarf gouramis stay under 3 inches in length. They are usually peaceful but can get aggressive toward each other when breeding or defending territory.

Shrimp compatibility: Moderate. Their small size makes them less likely to hunt larger shrimp. But they may eat smaller shrimp and larvae.

Moonlight Gourami

Moonlights are a slow-moving, calm gourami reaching 6 inches long. They tend to ignore most tank mates.

Shrimp compatibility: High. Moonlights are a good option for a shrimp tank. Their peaceful nature and lack of interest in other fish make shrimp relatively safe.

Kissing Gourami

A larger gourami species reaching 10 inches. Kissing gouramis can be kept with other large fish but may eat smaller tank mates.

Shrimp compatibility: Low. Their bigger size and active foraging give them both the ability and motivation to hunt shrimp.

Pearl Gourami

Pearl gouramis have a unique, iridescent pattern. They stay around 4 inches long and have a timid, peaceful temperament.

Shrimp compatibility: Moderate to high. Their small size and calm nature make them less of a threat than other gouramis.

Honey Gourami

Honey gouramis max out around 3 inches long. They are very peaceful fish that largely ignore tank mates.

Shrimp compatibility: High. The honey gourami’s tiny size and passive behavior help minimize any danger to shrimp.

Specific Shrimp Species and Gourami Compatibility

As with gouramis, we can break down shrimp into specific types and assess which may fare better with gouramis:

Ghost Shrimp

Ghost shrimp are small, translucent freshwater shrimp. They only grow to about 1.5 inches.

Gourami compatibility: Low. Their tiny size makes them an easy meal for gouramis. Only very peaceful dwarf gouramis have a chance of coexisting.

Bamboo Shrimp

Bamboo shrimp reach over 3 inches long. They are filter feeders not as affected by fish tank mates.

Gourami compatibility: Moderate. Their large size helps protect them from smaller gouramis. But large species could still prey on them.

Vampire Shrimp

Vampire shrimp grow to around 6 inches. They are aggressive and use their long limbs to capture live food.

Gourami compatibility: Moderate to high. Their sizable claws and feisty attitude act as a deterrent against fish.

Red Cherry Shrimp

Cherry shrimp stay under 2 inches long. They are prolific breeders that thrive in heavily planted tanks.

Gourami compatibility: Low to moderate. Their small size makes them vulnerable to predation. But their high numbers could overwhelm solitary gouramis.

Amano Shrimp

Amanos reach 2 inches in length. They are excellent algae eaters and blend in well among plants.

Gourami compatibility: Moderate. Their cryptic coloration provides some protection. But small gouramis may still hunt them.

Ideal Gourami and Shrimp Pairings

Based on the analysis above, here are some gourami and shrimp species that have the best chances of successfully coexisting:

• Honey gourami with red cherry shrimp or amano shrimp
• Pearl gourami with vampire shrimp or bamboo shrimp
• Dwarf gourami with amano shrimp or bamboo shrimp
• Moonlight gourami with red cherry shrimp

The combinations above match smaller, passive gouramis with larger shrimp species or smaller gouramis with shrimp prone to breeding in large numbers.

While these pairings have the highest probabilities of success, shrimp predation is still possible. The only way to guarantee compatibility is selecting gouramis too large to consume any shrimp. Or keeping shrimp by themselves without any fish present.

Tips for Housing Gouramis and Shrimp

If you want to try housing gouramis with shrimp, here are some tips to improve your chances:

• Add plenty of hiding spots – denssely planted tanks with rock caves and driftwood offer more protection

• Use floating plants – floating vegetation provides overhead cover shrimp can dart under when threatened

• Feed gouramis well – well-fed gouramis are less likely to hunt tank mates

• Add shrimp first – introducing shrimp after gouramis are established reduces aggression toward new arrivals

• Use a larger tank – more space dilutes territorial behavior and reduces encounters

• Add shrimp in groups – keeping 10+ shrimp helps buffer any predation losses

• Choose tankmates carefully – avoid other predatory fish that could threaten shrimp

Key Takeaways – Do Gouramis Eat Shrimp?

While certainly possible, keeping gouramis with shrimp can be tricky. Some key points to remember:

• Gouramis are omnivores that will eat tiny crustaceans – they often view shrimp as food
• Shrimp are vulnerable due to small size, peaceful nature, and bottom-dwelling habitat
• Combos like honey gourami + cherry shrimp or pearl gourami + amano shrimp can work
• Plenty of hiding spots, floating plants, and well-fed gouramis improve compatibility
• Understand that some shrimp losses are likely – add larger groups to compensate

With some planning and preparation, certain gourami and shrimp combinations can successfully coexist. Just be ready to adjust if shrimp predation becomes an issue. Patience and prudence are key to mixing these interesting but incompatible species.