Guppies are one of the most popular beginner-friendly fish, while freshwater shrimp are loved for their algae-eating abilities and beautiful colors. But can guppies live with shrimp?, or do they see them as food? This expert guide explains everything you need to know before mixing them.
Yes, guppies can live with shrimp in a tank, but only adult shrimp are usually safe.
The Baby shrimp ( Shrimplets) if you keep them then they are at high risk because guppies will eat shrimp if they can fit in their mouth.
If you have to successfully keep both species together, then you must provide heavy planting, hiding spots, and stable feeding routines.
Can Guppies Live With Shrimp in a Tank?
Our experience say that guppies can share tank with shrimp under the proper aquarium conditions. The only thing is need to be concern about is predation, especially during the molting or when baby shrimp are born.
Guppies are naturally curious, active foragers. Although they are peaceful, they will peck at tiny creatures, including newly hatched Shrimplets. The guppies can not eat adult shrimp, however, are usually large enough to avoid being eaten.
What Makes Them Compatible?
- Both Guppies and Shrimp prefer stable, clean water.
- Both loves heavily planted tanks.
- Both are peaceful species.
- Both can thrive in community aquariums.
But shrimp owners must be prepared to create protective zones in the tank.
Will Guppies Eat Shrimp?
Unfortunately, yes, guppies will eat shrimp if they get the opportunity.
They won’t usually attack a big full-grown shrimp, but they can consume:
- A Baby shrimp
- Newly molted (soft-bodied) shrimp
- Weak or sick shrimp
- Shrimp too small to escape
If you still doubt Can Guppies Live with Shrimp? This doesn’t mean the combination is impossible — only that you must plan the setup carefully.
Can Guppies and Shrimp Live Together Long-Term?
Yes, guppies and shrimp can live together, but success depends on your tank environment. To keep both species together:
Provide Hiding Spots
You can Use the following things in aquarium:
- Java moss / Christmas moss
- Dense plants like hornwort or guppy grass
- Rock caves
- Driftwood
- Leaf litter
These create micro-habitats where baby shrimp can hide and grow safely.
Feed Guppies Well
If you do not feed guppies well they will become hungry and a hungry guppy becomes a predator. A well-fed guppy becomes lazy and less likely to hunt shrimp.
Keep a Bigger Group of Shrimp
A colony of 15–20 shrimp has higher survival rates than 5–6 individuals.
What Shrimp Can Live with Guppies?
Several shrimp species are suitable to share a tank with guppies, especially larger or faster varieties.
Best Shrimp Species for Guppy Tanks
| Amano Shrimp | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent | Large, fast, rarely eaten |
| Ghost Shrimp | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good | Cheap, fast swimmers |
| Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina) | ⭐⭐⭐ Medium | Adults safe; babies eaten |
| Blue Dream / Yellow / Fire Red | ⭐⭐⭐ Medium | Same as cherry shrimp |
| Caridina Shrimp | ⭐⭐ Needs caution | Prefer softer water than guppies |
Amano shrimp are the safest option because guppies cannot swallow them.
Can You Put Guppies with Shrimp in Any Tank?
Not always Because you will need to take care aquarium set up very well. It matters more than the species combination. If you’re wondering Can Guppies Live with Shrimp, the answer is yes — but baby shrimp are rarely safe.
Tank Requirements for Guppies + Shrimp
- Minimum size: 10 gallons
- Heavily planted tank for hiding
- Stable temperature: 24–27°C
- Weekly water changes
- No predators (bettas, barbs, cichlids) in the tank
Avoid adding guppies to a tiny shrimp-only nano tank — predation will wipe out the colony.
What Can Guppies Live With? (Safe Tank Mates)
Well you will need to choose those species which are very comfortable with guppies. If you want a peaceful community tank with shrimp, choose tank mates that won’t harm them.
Safe Tank Mates for Guppies
- Nerite snails
- Mystery snails
- Kuhli loaches (with caution)
- Corydoras catfish
- Otocinclus
- Harlequin rasboras
- Tetras (small, peaceful types)
Avoid anything aggressive or large enough to eat shrimp.
Tips to Protect Shrimp from Guppies
Here’s how to increase shrimplet survival from guppies in tank:
🔹 1. Add Dense Moss
Java moss is the #1 shrimp nursery — cheap and extremely effective.
🔹 2. Keep Them Well Fed
Feed guppies protein foods regularly (brine shrimp, flakes, micro-pellets) so they ignore your shrimp.
🔹 3. Add Leaf Litter
Indian almond leaves provide food, shelter, and biofilm for shrimp.
🔹 4. Use Breeding Boxes
If you see berried (pregnant) shrimp, temporarily move them to a breeding box.
🔹 5. Start with a Larger Colony
A colony of 20+ shrimp can reproduce faster than guppies can hunt.
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Final Expert Verdict
Can guppies live with shrimp?
✔️ Yes, but only with the right tank setup.
Adult shrimp do well with guppies, but baby shrimp are at risk, especially without plants and hiding spots.
If your goal is to breed shrimp, guppies are not ideal tankmates.
If your goal is a beautiful, peaceful community aquarium, then guppies + shrimp is a great combination with the proper environment.
