Can Cherry Shrimp Live With Guppies? Experts Take

If you have been scouring the net looking for answers to the query “Can guppies live with cherry shrimp?” Count yourself lucky because you’re in the right place.

You know, keeping a vibrant and harmonious aquarium is a dream for over 73.57% of shrimp enthusiasts, and this often leads to questions about mixing different species. 

One intriguing combination that’s frequently contemplated by most shrimp enthusiasts is keeping Cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) alongside Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) in the same tank. 

Can Cherry Shrimp Live With Guppies? Experts Take

The truth is, these two aquatic creatures are popular choices for home aquariums, but their compatibility raises important considerations, making most enthusiasts wonder if they can coexist. Hence the question, Can cherry shrimp live with guppies?”

Well, if you can stick around a little bit longer, you will get an expert answer to the question in this blog post. We will also discuss in detail how to stop guppies from eating up your cherry shrimps. Now, without further ado, let’s jump right into it.

Is It Possible to Keep Your Cherry Shrimp and Guppies in the Same Tank?

Certainly, it is possible to have cherry shrimps (Neocaridina davidi) and guppies (Poecilia reticulata) in the same tank, but it takes careful attention and proactive maintenance to maintain the well-being of both species.

You know, cherry shrimps and guppies originate from distinct aquatic origins and their cohabitation will be quite interesting. Cherry shrimps are tiny and quiet, while guppies are bigger, more energetic, omnivorous fish. 

If you want to keep both species, it is important to note that this cohabitation requires meticulous planning and attention to a variety of factors to ensure the well-being and tranquilly of both species.

Now, to effectively keep both cherry shrimps and guppies in the same tank, here are certain certain factors you must consider;

Timing 

Ideally, you should introduce your cherry shrimps first to a developed and stable tank environment with well-maintained water conditions before introducing guppies.

Also, to prevent stress and minimise possible conflicts, both cherry shrimp and guppies should be adults before being introduced.

Hiding spaces 

It is critical to keep your cherry shrimp in a tank with enough hiding spaces and shelter so that when guppies become extremely busy or inquisitive, your cherry shrimp may find sanctuary in aquatic plants, decorations, and specific hiding places like caves or driftwood. 

Is It Possible to Keep Your Baby Cherry Shrimp With Guppies?

Keeping baby cherry shrimps with guppies poses some interesting complications. This is because these tiny shrimps are noticeably more delicate and smaller in size, making them look more like prey for adult guppies. 

Because of their small size, guppy adults may regard your baby cherry shrimps as delightful morsels. 

So, it’s best to give plenty of hiding spots for your baby shrimps and, if required, consider segregating them until they reach a larger, less vulnerable size.

When Can You Keep Cherry Shrimp With Guppies?

The best time to keep Cherry Shrimps and guppies together is when the tank has developed and stabilized and both the cherry shrimps and guppies have reached maturity. 

You know, a mature tank provides a steady and balanced environment with well-established water parameters and a flourishing ecology. 

This stability significantly reduces stress on both Cherry shrimp and Guppies when they are introduced to their shared habitat.

Steps to Follow in Order to Keep Both Cherry Shrimp and Guppies Together

Here are essential Steps you should follow in order to keep your cherry shrimps and guppies together peacefully;

Step 1: Put the Cherry Shrimp First

The order in which you introduce your cherry shrimps and guppies is critical to their peaceful coexistence. 

Begin by putting the cherry shrimps in before the guppies. This early placement of your cherry shrimps lets them flee territories and find hiding places before the more active guppies arrive. 

This proactive strategy decreases the likelihood of guppies acting aggressively towards your shrimps.

Step 2: Provide Appropriate Coverage

In a mixed tank, hiding places and cover are essential for your cherry shrimps. Aquatic plants, ornaments, and specific hiding areas such as caves or driftwood are all necessary tank improvements. 

These hiding places serve two purposes; 

  • They provide safe havens for your cherry shrimps when they feel threatened by the energetic guppies.
  • They provide an aesthetically appealing and naturalistic aquatic environment.

Step 3: Feed Your Cherry Shrimp Properly

Nutrition is very essential for cherry shrimp care in a mixed tank. To survive, these omnivorous critters require a well-balanced diet. 

Make sure they get a variety of foods, such as shrimp pellets, algal wafers, blanched vegetables like spinach or zucchini, and live or frozen delicacies on occasion.

Keeping your cherry shrimp population well-fed minimizes the possibility of guinea pigs considering them as appealing food.

Step 4: Consider the Guppies to Shrimp Ratio

To discourage obsessive shrimp hunting, you will have to establish a suitable ratio of cherry shrimp to guppies. 

As a general rule, consider a ratio of 4-5 cherry shrimp for every one guppy in your aquarium. 

This ratio not only ensures the safety of your cherry shrimp in numbers, but it also contributes to a balanced ecology within the tank.

Step 5: Breed Shrimp in a Separate Tank

If you intend to breed cherry shrimps, you should put up a dedicated breeding tank. There are various risks to breeding cherry shrimp in the main guppy tank. 

Baby shrimps are especially vulnerable to becoming guppy’s appetizers. A separate breeding tank provides a safe habitat for your shrimp fry to live and grow in the absence of a constant predator.

Now that you’ve been able to keep your cherry shrimps and guppies together, how are they coping? 

Are guppies eating up your little cherry shrimps? If yes, fret not. In the next section, we will discuss in detail how to protect your shrimps from being eaten by guppies.

How To Protect Guppies from eating Your Shrimp

In a tank with guppies, ensuring the safety of your cherry shrimps is critical. Here are some preventive measures for you;

Include Plenty Of Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plants not only make an appealing underwater scene, but they also provide critical cover for your cherry shrimps. 

The lush vegetation provides hiding places, limits your shrimp visibility to Guppies, and promotes a more naturalistic environment.

Offer Enough Food To Both Your Shrimps and Guppies

Feeding your cherry shrimps consistently will make them grow fast, reducing the temptation for guppies to view them as food sources.

Also, feeding guppies enough food will help reduce their predatory behaviour.

Limit The Number Of Guppies In Your Tank

Overcrowding can lead to stress and aggression among Guppies and may increase the likelihood of shrimp predation

Keeping a reasonable number of guppies in the tank decreases resource competition and contributes to a more tranquil and harmonious aquatic ecosystem.

Which other Fish Can Live With Cherry Shrimp in Harmony?

If you’re not intending to keep guppies in your cherry shrimp tank, probably because of the stress involved, there are other fish species that can coexist peacefully with your cherry shrimps, and they include;

  • Neon Tetras
  • Endler’s Livebearers
  • Dwarf Gouramis
  • Corydoras Catfish
  • Amano Shrimp
  • Harlequin Rasboras
  • Kuhli Loaches
  • Honey Gouramis
  • Celestial Pearl Danios (Galaxy Rasbora)
  • White Cloud Mountain Minnows
  • Platy Fish
  • Bristlenose Plecos

That’s not all; you can also include;

Catfish (Otocinclus)

Otocinclus catfish, often known as otos or dwarf suckermouth catfish, are popular communal aquarium fish. 

Because of their algae-eating ability, these little, calm catfish make good tankmates for your cherry shrimps. Here are other reasons they can coexist peacefully:

Size Compatibility

Otocinclus catfish are tiny and thin, reaching a maximum length of around 2 inches (5 cm). Because of their modest size, they do not pose a danger to your cherry prawns.

Peaceful Nature

Otos are peaceful and non-aggressive. Because they are unlikely to bother or hunt your cherry shrimps, they will make good tankmates for your peaceful cherry.

Snails

Another category of tank mates that can dwell happily with your cherry shrimp are aquatic snails such as nerite snails and Malaysian trumpet snails. Here’s why snails and your cherry shrimp can coexist:

Non-Predatory

Snails are not predatory and therefore do not pose any danger to your cherry shrimp. They typically feed on algae and debris, which helps keep your aquarium clean.

Rasboras (Miniature)

Rasboras are a family of tiny, calm freshwater fish that, if chosen correctly, may make great tankmates for your cherry shrimps. 

Small rasboras, such as the Chilli Rasbora (Boraras brigittae) or the Dwarf Rasbora (Boraras maculatus), are excellent companions for your cherry shrimp for the following reasons:

Small Size

Rasboras grow to around 0.5 to 1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) in size, making them too small to feed on your cherry shrimp.

Peaceful nature

Rasboras are peaceful and non-aggressive, making them ideal for your cherry shrimp’s gentle nature.

Conclusion

While it is possible to keep cherry shrimps with guppies, it requires careful preparation and consideration of numerous conditions. 

You may build a thriving and harmonic aquatic community where cherry shrimp and guppies coexist happily, adding beauty and diversity to your aquarium, by taking proactive efforts to preserve your cherry shrimps.

These efforts include providing appropriate coverage, feeding your cherry shrimps and guppies properly, limiting the number of guppies in the tank, etc.

As you can see, we have answered in detail the common query, “Can cherry shrimp and guppies live together?” in this blog post. Feel free to follow the steps and techniques in this comprehensive guide to ensure a peaceful coexistence between your shrimps and guppies.

FAQs

Will guppies eat shrimps?

Guppies may consider your cherry shrimp, particularly young shrimp, as viable food on occasion. This predatory behaviour can be considerably reduced by providing ample hiding places, adequate food, and a correct tank layout.

Do cherry shrimp clean tanks?

Yes. Cherry shrimps are basically scavengers who enjoy cleaning away dirt and algae in the aquarium. 

Do cherry shrimp like guppy grass?

The presence of guppy grass (Najas guadalupensis) in the tank can benefit cherry shrimp. Guppy grass provides shrimps with both cover and a natural food source, adding to their general well-being in the shared environment.

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