Can Albino Pleco Live With Cherry Shrimp?
Yes, albino plecos and cherry shrimp share a 30-gallon tank comfortably, with the pleco grazing the bottom and the shrimp colonizing surfaces.
Why
- Albino plecos are 5-inch bottom dwellers while cherry shrimp are 1-1.5-inch surface and biofilm grazers, so they do not compete for space.
- Temperature overlap spans 72-80°F and pH overlap is 6.5-7.5, a range both species tolerate well.
- Albino plecos are nocturnal and rest during the day when shrimp are most active, minimizing interaction.
- Cherry shrimp add negligible bioload, so a 30-gallon tank with one pleco and a shrimp colony has plenty of capacity.
What could go wrong
Shrimp populations may stay smaller than in a dedicated shrimp tank if the pleco grazes most of the biofilm before the shrimp can keep up.
Gear for a shared tank
Sized for the 30 gallon minimum this pairing needs. Affiliate links — we earn a small commission if you buy through them.
AquaClear 70 Power Filter
Oversized filtration is what lets you stock two species together without water quality crashing. Rated for a tank slightly larger than the 30 gallon minimum.
Eheim Jager 200W Thermostat Heater
Holds a steady temperature inside the 72-80°F window both species need.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit
Keep ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in check. Two-species tanks have more bioload and less margin for error than single-species setups.
Related compatibility questions
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