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Which fish can you keep together with shrimp?

Which fish can you keep together with shrimp?

Written by Mara | February 4, 2026

Many aquarium enthusiasts wonder whether fish and shrimp can live together in the same aquarium. The short answer is: yes, sometimes, but there is always a risk. Whether it works depends on the species of fish, the type of shrimp and the layout of the aquarium.

The most important rule

A simple but important rule of thumb is: if the shrimp fits in the fish’s mouth, it will be eaten.

Fish are not “bad tank mates”, but simply follow their natural hunting instincts. This is why keeping fish and shrimp together is never 100% safe.

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Which shrimp are more suitable?

Larger shrimp

Larger shrimp are less likely to be seen as prey. Amano or Japonica shrimp are a good example. Due to their size, they are harder for many fish to catch and therefore better suited for a community aquarium.

Dwarf shrimp

Dwarf shrimp (such as Neocaridina and Caridina species) are much more vulnerable. They are small, more noticeable and easily fit into the mouths of many fish. This makes them harder to combine with fish. Especially baby shrimp are small enough to fit into almost any fish’s mouth.

Which fish should not be combined with shrimp?

Some fish species are clearly not a good match for shrimp:

Bettas (Siamese fighting fish): once they realise shrimp are edible, they will actively hunt them
Cichlids: territorial and predatory
Angelfish (scalare): see shrimp as food
Goldfish: eat anything that fits into their mouth
Discus fish: will eat shrimp whenever they get the chance

These combinations almost always end badly for the shrimp.

Shrimp and schooling fish: is it possible?

Even with smaller schooling fish, caution is advised.

Less suitable schooling fish

Schooling fish that are less suitable to keep with shrimp include:

Cardinal tetras
Rummy-nose tetras

These fish are large enough to eat shrimp, especially young or smaller ones.

Better (but not risk-free) schooling fish options

Schooling fish with the best chance of living peacefully with (dwarf) shrimp include:

Neon tetras
Other nano fish species

These fish are smaller, but even here the rule applies: baby shrimp are almost always eaten.

Why livebearers are not an ideal choice

Livebearing fish such as guppies, mollies and platies will eat shrimp whenever they get the opportunity. In addition, these fish prefer harder water, while most shrimp thrive better in softer water. This makes the combination even less suitable.

How can you increase the chances of success?

If you still want to keep fish and shrimp together, the aquarium setup is crucial.

Provide plenty of hiding places:

Heavily planted aquariums are essential
Fine-leaved plants: fish struggle to enter them, shrimp do not
Mosses (such as Java moss): ideal as shelter and as a nursery for young shrimp

The denser and more varied the aquarium layout, the greater the shrimp’s chances of survival.

Keeping fish and shrimp together is possible, but only with the right choices and realistic expectations. Prefer larger shrimp, calm (small) fish and a heavily planted aquarium. And remember: a completely risk-free combination does not exist.

If you want to be absolutely sure your shrimp are safe, a dedicated shrimp-only aquarium without fish is always the best choice.

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About the author

Mara van Brussel-Broere, Veterinarian at Vetsend

Graduated as a companion animal veterinarian from Utrecht University, she uses her practical experience to advise customers and share knowledge at Vetsend. She finds it important to provide pet owners with clear information about health and wellbeing.