Do Plecos Eat Shrimp?

Plecos and shrimp are both popular additions to freshwater aquariums But do these bottom-dwellers make good tankmates? Can plecos and shrimp live together peacefully? Or will your pleco view those shrimp as an easy snack?

These are common questions for aquarium hobbyists considering mixing plecos and shrimp. In this article we’ll take a detailed look at the pleco-shrimp dynamic and help you determine if these two are compatible.

An Overview of Plecos

Plecos, also called suckermouth catfish or armored catfish, are a diverse group of bottom-feeding fish. There are over 700 species of pleco. Some of the most popular types kept in home aquariums include:

• Common pleco
• Bristlenose pleco
• Clown pleco
• Rubber lip pleco

These fish are native to freshwaters of Central and South America. They have heavy armored plating on their bodies. They also have sucker-like mouths used to cling to surfaces.

In the wild, plecos use their suckers to anchor themselves to submerged wood and rocks in fast-moving streams. These sucker mouths also allow them to rasp algae and food particles off surfaces.

Most plecos are primarily herbivorous in the wild, feeding on algae, aquatic plants, driftwood, and detritus. Their wide mouth and tooth-lined jaws are perfect tools for scraping food from rocky and woody surfaces.

However, some species are omnivorous or even carnivorous. For example, the zebra pleco has pointed teeth and is known to eat small insects, worms, and crustaceans.

An Overview of Shrimp

Freshwater aquarium shrimp come in many varieties but are generally divided into two groups:

Dwarf Shrimp

Small shrimp under 2 inches long, including:

• Red cherry shrimp
• Crystal shrimp
• Ghost shrimp

Large Shrimp

Shrimp reaching over 2 inches, such as:

• Amano shrimp
• Bamboo shrimp
• Vampire shrimp

Both dwarf and large shrimp species are frequently added to community tanks. They help clean up debris, eat algae, and add visual interest.

Most freshwater shrimp are largely herbivorous or omnivorous. They browse on biofilm, algae, and aufwuchs (the mix of tiny critters and organisms coating surfaces in aquariums). Some may eat very small worms or insect larvae.

But virtually all shrimp species are harmless – they do not hunt or kill other tank inhabitants. The only exception is the macrobrachium species, like vampire shrimp, which can be predatory. But most aquarium shrimp simply graze peacefully.

Do Plecos Eat Shrimp?

Whether or not pleco and shrimp can coexist depends largely on the individual pleco’s personality and diet.

Some aquarists have great success keeping even very small shrimp like cherry shrimp or crystal red shrimp with plecos. The shrimp population thrives and the pleco ignores them.

But other hobbyists report issues keeping plecos with shrimp. The shrimp slowly disappear as the pleco eats them!

Clearly, not all plecos view shrimp as food. But some definitely do. So can we predict which plecos will go after your shrimp?

Unfortunately there is no foolproof way to know if an individual pleco will hunt shrimp. Much depends on the specific pleco and conditions in your aquarium. But here are some general guidelines:

Herbivore Plecos

Plecos with strictly herbivorous diets are safest with shrimp. This includes the bristlenose pleco and most Hypostomus species. They focus on grazing algae and vegetables.

Herbivore plecos may eat a dead or dying shrimp they find. But they won’t seek out healthy live shrimp as prey.

Omnivore Plecos

Many common plecos are opportunistic omnivores. This includes the sailfin/gibbiceps and clown pleco. They eat plant matter but also opportunistically take meat foods like insects.

Omnivore plecos are riskier tankmates for shrimp. They may ignore shrimp. Or they may view small shrimp as appetizers. Check each pleco’s personality before mixing.

Carnivore Plecos

Avoid keeping carnivorous plecos like the zebra pleco with shrimp. Their hunting instinct and sharp teeth make them very likely to eat ornamental shrimp.

Tips to Keep Plecos and Shrimp Together

If you want to keep plecos and shrimp together, here are some tips:

• Choose herbivore plecos like bristlenose or rubberlip plecos. Avoid carnivores.

• Select larger shrimp species. Amano shrimp or bamboo shrimp won’t fit in most plecos’ mouths.

• Give the pleco vegetables to distract it from hunting. Well-fed plecos are less likely to go after tankmates.

• Provide plenty of hiding places. Shrimp need moss, plants, rocks, and wood to shelter if chased.

• Use a large tank. More space makes aggression less likely.

• Add the shrimp first. Introduce plecos to an established shrimp colony.

• Remove aggressive plecos. If one pleco starts wiping out shrimp, take it out.

• Try adult plecos. Older/larger plecos are often less likely to eat ornamental shrimp.

With the right precautions, many plecos and shrimp will ignore each other or even amicably share tank space. But personalities vary, so carefully observe any new pleco-shrimp mix.

Pleco Ate My Shrimp – What Happened?

Sometimes, even if the pleco showed no interest in shrimp initially, hobbyists discover one day that the shrimp are rapidly disappearing. What causes a formerly peaceful pleco to suddenly start hunting tankmates?

Here are some reasons your pleco may have turned on your shrimp:

Underfed Pleco

A hungry pleco is more likely to hunt shrimp. Make sure to give your pleco plenty of vegetables and algae wafers to satisfy its diet. Underfed plecos can become aggressive hunters.

Territoriality/Breeding

Male plecos defending a territory or females carrying eggs may attack perceived threats. This instinct could target shrimps. Isolate breeding/gravid plecos to protect shrimp.

Molting Shrimp Trigger Prey Drive

A pleco that ignores healthy shrimp might attack vulnerable molting or dead shrimp. The scent of molts or dead shrimp can trigger predatory instincts.

Aggressive Personality

Some plecos are simply aggressive toward tankmates, especially highly territorial or carnivorous species. If one pleco wipes out shrimp, that individual fish may need to be removed.

Added New Pleco

Introducing new plecos can disrupt tank dynamics. The new pleco might see shrimp as easy pickings. Quarantine and slowly acclimate new plecos to prevent aggression.

If your formerly peaceful pleco has started attacking shrimp, review conditions and remove the pleco if aggression persists.

Key Points: Plecos and Shrimp

To summarize key points on whether plecos will eat your aquarium shrimp:

• Plecos range from herbivore to carnivore. Herbivores are safest with shrimp.

• Individual personality determines if a pleco will hunt shrimp. Some ignore shrimp while others eat them.

• Large shrimp species face less risk than tiny shrimp.

• Well-fed, established plecos are less likely to hunt tankmates.

• Monitor all new pleco and shrimp combinations. Have backup tanks ready.

• Remove aggressive plecos. Prioritize shrimp if one pleco wipes the colony out.

• With precautions, many pleco species can coexist peacefully with shrimp.

The shrimp and pleco question has no one-size-fits-all answer. But by carefully selecting species, monitoring water conditions, and observing fish behavior, you can often keep these popular aquarium clean up crews together successfully.