Will Goldfish Eat Shrimp? A Detailed Look at Their Compatibility

As an aquarium enthusiast with both goldfish and shrimp, I occasionally get asked if I keep these two species together. It’s a fair question – on the surface active little shrimp and slower moving goldfish may seem like suitable tank mates. But looks can be deceiving. In reality, housing shrimp and goldfish together is rife with risks.

Through my experience and research, I’ve learned that in most cases, goldfish will readily eat shrimp if given the chance. However, with careful selection of inhabitants and tank setup, it is possible to keep certain shrimp species with goldfish. This article will take a detailed look at goldfish and shrimp compatibility to help you make the right choices for your tank.

Will Goldfish View Shrimp as Food?

The key factor determining if goldfish will consume shrimp comes down to their omnivorous appetite. Goldfish will eat anything that fits into their mouths including insects, small fish and yes – shrimp. To a hungry goldfish, a juicy shrimp makes for a tasty snack.

This tendency for goldfish to eat shrimp has been confirmed by my personal experience. Anytime I’ve tried to house smaller shrimp like cherry shrimp with goldfish, the shrimp quickly vanish, never to be seen again. The goldfish make quick work of gobbling them up.

Larger shrimp species have a better chance of survival with goldfish. But even big shrimp may eventually disappear or have nipped antennae from close calls with goldfish. Unless you choose tank mates carefully you generally have to expect goldfish to eat shrimp. Their opportunistic feeding nature makes it inevitable.

Impact of Goldfish Size and Breed

Not all goldfish have an equal appetite for shrimp. The size and specific breed of your goldfish impacts how likely they are to hunt shrimp tankmates.

Smaller fancy goldfish tend to pose less of a threat to shrimp. Varieties like celestial goldfish or bubble eye goldfish have smaller mouths that restrict their ability to consume larger shrimp. However, they may still nibble at antennae or small juvenile shrimp.

In contrast, common single tail goldfish come equipped with larger mouths and stronger appetites. Common goldfish, comet goldfish, and shubunkins can and will eat adult shrimp given the chance. Their powerful suction feeding mechanism also enables them to slurp up shrimp from hard-to-reach spots.

A goldfish’s personal temperament can also sway aggression toward shrimp. Individual goldfish may be more likely to exhibit predatory behavior, regardless of variety. Carefully observing goldfish personality and feeding aggression is important.

Providing Hiding Places and Plant Cover

If you wish to keep shrimp with predatory goldfish, providing ample hiding spaces and plant vegetation can help shrimp survive. Shrimp naturally seek shelter and will use plants, rocks, driftwood, and decorations to stay out of sight.

Dense plant cover like hornwort, guppy grass, and moss offer protection against goldfish. Driftwood, rock caves, and shrimp tubes also create useful shelters. By breaking the goldfish’s line of sight, you can reduce direct attacks on shrimp.

However, goldfish may still uproot plants and dig through substrate seeking concealed shrimp. And they can suck in shrimp hiding in decorations when you least expect it. Hiding spots reduce but don’t eliminate the risk of shrimp being eaten in a goldfish tank.

Is Species Selection Important for Shrimp Safety?

Yes, the specific species of shrimp you choose can make a big difference in their likelihood of survival with goldfish tank mates. Certain shrimp varieties are more agile, hardy, and sized to avoid predation.

Here are some shrimp that stand the best chance of cohabitating successfully with goldfish:

• Amano Shrimp – Their larger size and speed makes them less likely to be eaten.

• Ghost Shrimp – Semi-transparent bodies camouflage them. Their size and agility helps them evade goldfish.

• Bamboo Shrimp – Their fan-like filter feeding hands distracts goldfish from viewing them as food.

• Vampire Shrimp – Size and formidable appearance deters predation attempts.

Slow, small, brightly colored shrimp like Cherry Shrimp and Crystal Red Shrimp almost always get eaten quickly in a goldfish tank. And expensive imported ornamental shrimp put your investment at too much risk when kept with goldfish.

Provide Adequate Tank Size for Both Species

Cramming goldfish and shrimp into too small of an aquarium exacerbates aggression and predation issues. Both species thrive when given plenty of swimming room.

Goldfish require large tanks due to their messy waste output and substantial adult size. Aim for at least 20 gallons for the first goldfish, plus an extra 10-20 gallons per additional goldfish. Aquariums in the 50+ gallon range balance space for inhabitants.

Bigger tanks allow goldfish to spread out, reducing competition for territory. Shrimp also appreciate ample space to explore and forage while staying out of a goldfish’s path. A roomy tank makes peaceful coexistence more feasible.

Learn Indicators of Stress in Shrimp Tankmates

Keep a close eye on shrimp behavior for signs of stress if housed with goldfish. Stressed shrimp will exhibit some telltale body language:

• Hiding more than usual

• Aggregating in corners instead of freely roaming

• Clamping curled shrimp tail under body

• Erratic sudden swimming when goldfish draws near

• Loss of coloring/paleness

• Low appetite and minimal eating

• Lethargy and decreased activity

High stress levels weaken immune function and inhibit molting in shrimp. Address triggers immediately before deaths occur. Isolate aggressively bullied shrimp if needed.

Feed Alternative Food Sources to Divert Goldfish

You can distract goldfish away from munching on shrimp by providing alternative food sources.

Feed goldfish a varied, fiber-rich diet with vegetables, greens, gels and pellets. This provides needed nutrients while curbing their urge to hunt tankmates. Introduce new foods like duckweed, spirulina and blanched zucchini to keep their menu exciting.

It also helps to drop algae wafers and other shrimp foods after lights out so shrimp can come out to eat under the nighttime cover of darkness. This gives goldfish and shrimp separate meal times.

Is Cohabitation Worth the Hassle and Risks?

Realistically, attempting to house shrimp and goldfish together often brings more trouble than reward. You have to vigilantly maintain pristine water conditions suitable for both species. Shrimp health may still fail from high bio loads. Frequent aquascaping and cleaning is needed to provide adequate shelters. Careful feedings and close monitoring of behavior is required.

And even with intense micromanaging, shrimp casualties from goldfish predation are practically inevitable in time. Some aquarists may enjoy the challenge, but for many it simply isn’t worth the effort and gamble compared to keeping the species separately.

My recommendation would be to avoid mixing goldfish and shrimp unless you have plenty of prior experience. And stick to pairing goldfish only with durable shrimp varieties that have a fighting chance of making cohabitation work.

Making Cohabitation Work: Final Considerations

If you are determined to make shrimp and goldfish co-inhabitants, here are some final tips to boost your odds of success:

• Quarantine new fish and shrimp before introducing to established tank

• Rear juvenile shrimp to larger size before adding to the tank

• Introduce faster-moving shrimp varieties first to test goldfish reaction

• Remove overly aggressive goldfish that attack shrimp

• Have a backup tank ready to isolate vulnerable shrimp if needed

• Accept some shrimp loss as inevitable and be prepared to restock

With meticulous tank preparation, shrimp selection, and close oversight, you may be rewarded with a harmonious blended community of goldfish and shrimp. But also be ready to separate them if aggressive goldfish behaviors arise.

The Verdict: Expect Goldfish to Eat Shrimp Tankmates

To summarize, housing shrimp with goldfish typically ends badly for the shrimp due to the goldfish opportunistic omnivore appetites. They will readily eat most shrimp varieties, especially delicate ornamental shrimp.

Certain large and quick freshwater shrimp species can potentially co-exist with goldfish if given very generous space and hiding areas. But there are no guarantees, requiring vigilance and possible shrimp losses. Realistically, goldfish and shrimp are better kept in separate species specific tanks for highest health and survival rates.

While the idea of a blended tank with the variety and activity of goldfish and shrimp sounds appealing, the risks usually outweigh rewards for most aquarists. Know that goldfish snacking on shrimp is not a matter of if, but when. Unless you are an extremely experienced aquarist, keep these species separate for best results.