Will Cory Catfish Eat Shrimp? (Explained in Detail)

Cory catfish and shrimp are two of the most popular freshwater aquarium inhabitants, Their peaceful nature and active behaviors make them a joy to watch It’s no wonder why many aquarists choose to combine cory catfish and shrimp together in one tank

However, some aquarists worry that cory catfish may see shrimp as food and eat them. This causes concern, especially for those keeping expensive shrimp like crystal reds or tigers.

So will cory catfish eat shrimp? Let’s dive into the details and find out!

An Overview of Cory Catfish and Shrimp Behavior

Cory catfish belong to the genus Corydoras, a group of small, social catfish native to South America. There are over 200 recognized cory species, with the most popular species kept in home aquariums being:

• Bronze corydoras
• Panda corydoras
• Julii corydoras
• Peppered corydoras
• Sterbai corydoras

Cories are peaceful, non-aggressive fish that spend most of their time foraging along the bottom They use their tactile barbels to find food

Shrimp are decapod crustaceans that come in many freshwater varieties like cherry shrimp, amano shrimp ghost shrimp and more. They are generally peaceful but can have hierarchy disputes.

Will Cory Catfish Actively Hunt Shrimp?

The good news is that cory catfish will not actively hunt down and eat adult shrimp. Here’s why:

• Cories have small mouths: A cory catfish’s mouth is tiny compared to the size of an adult shrimp. They couldn’t swallow an adult shrimp even if they tried.

• Cories aren’t aggressive: Cories have peaceful temperaments and won’t chase, kill and eat tankmates for no reason. They simply lack the predatory instinct that other fish have.

• Cories are opportunistic: Cories are primarily scavengers looking for left over foods along the substrate. They don’t have the hunting skills required to chase fast-moving shrimp.

• Shrimp recognize threats: Shrimp can detect dangerous predators and will hide when threatened. If cory posed a major threat, shrimp would always be hiding.

But just because cory catfish won’t hunt shrimp, doesn’t mean they will never eat shrimp either…

Cory Catfish May Opportunistically Eat Shrimp

Though cory catfish won’t actively hunt adult shrimp, they may still eat shrimp in certain situations:

1. Eating Shrimp Fry

Cory catfish will eat tiny newborn shrimp babies (known as shrimp fry). The fry are small enough to fit into the cory’s mouth.

While shrimp fry deaths may seem alarming, it’s fairly normal in community tanks:

• Shrimp produce many young to account for losses
• Fry deaths won’t significantly impact the overall shrimp population
• As fry grow bigger, losses will decrease

So some shrimp fry loss is expected when keeping shrimp with cory catfish.

2. Eating Dying or Dead Shrimp

Cory catfish are scavengers and will eat dead or dying shrimp they come across.

While the loss of a single shrimp is sad, cory catfish eating dead shrimp does help clean up the tank. Just monitor your parameters if you notice cory catfish eating dead shrimp frequently as it could signal an issue.

3. Eating Molted Shrimp Skins

Cory catfish will readily eat the exoskeletons that shrimp molt during growth.

Molted skins provide protein and calcium, so cory catfish gobble them up! This also helps keep your tank clean of decomposing skins.

4. Accidental Eating

Though their mouths are small, cory catfish may accidentally swallow a small adult shrimp if given the chance.

For example, a shrimp swimming directly into the cory’s mouth may get eaten before the cory can spit it back out.

However, accidental eating is fairly rare given the size difference. Just provide adequate tank space and hideouts to reduce this risk.

Tips to Keep Shrimp Safe with Cory Catfish

While cory catfish likely won’t massacre a shrimp colony, there are steps you can take to keep shrimp even safer:

• Add plenty of plants and decor – This provides visual barriers and hiding spots for shrimp to use. Fry will have more protection too.

• Use a larger tank – Overcrowding increases aggression and competition for resources. A larger tank allows both species to spread out.

• Supplement food – Offer shrimp pellets or blanched veggies to distract the cory away from hunting shrimp. Keep the cory well-fed.

• Use a breeder box – Place berried shrimp mothers into a breeder box. This will protect the vulnerable fry after hatching.

• Test water frequently – Monitor ammonia, nitrites, nitrates to ensure pristine water. This keeps shrimp healthy and reduces disease.

• Add shrimp first – Let shrimp establish territories before adding cory catfish. Adding cory first may cause more shrimp harassment.

With some basic precautions, cory catfish and shrimp can co-exist peacefully!

Species Notes

The general rules above apply to most common cory species. However, there are some additional notes regarding individual cory varieties:

Bronze Corydoras

• Bronze cories grow to 2.5 inches long
• Peaceful temperament and do well with shrimp
• Small enough where even adults couldn’t eat large shrimp

Panda Corydoras

• Panda cories grow to around 2 inches
• Very peaceful and suitable for community tanks
• More likely to eat tiny brine shrimp due to small size
• Less likely to consume larger shrimp varieties

Pygmy Corydoras

• Pygmy cories grow to less than 1 inch long
• Shy and peaceful, excellent community fish
• May be able to eat juvenile shrimp under 1-2 weeks old
• Generally leave larger shrimp alone

Julii Corydoras

• Julii cories reach 2-3 inches in length
• Extremely peaceful and make great community tankmates
• Their small size limits them to eating only the smallest shrimp fry
• Ideal shrimp companion

The Consensus

After looking at the evidence, cory catfish are very unlikely to wipe out a shrimp colony. Shrimp losses will be limited to nibbling on the occasional molt or fry.

Adult shrimp are safe from being actively hunted and eaten. Follow the tips above to reduce any potential risk.

With some prudent planning, cory catfish and shrimp can live together harmoniously! The activity from both species will bring your aquarium to life.

So don’t hesitate to add shrimp to your cory catfish tank! Just provide plenty of hiding spots, don’t overcrowd the tank, and keep everyone well fed. Then you can enjoy both of these amazing fish together.