Can Cherry Shrimp Live With Goldfish?
Sometimes, goldfish and cherry shrimp can coexist in cooler water, but goldfish are opportunistic eaters that will eat all shrimp.
Why
- Goldfish are omnivores that eat anything small enough to fit in their mouth, including shrimp.
- Goldfish grow large (often 6+ inches) and are clumsy but thorough foragers in substrate and plants.
- Cherry shrimp at 1-1.5 inches are small enough for a goldfish to pick off.
- Goldfish need cooler water (65-72F) which overlaps with shrimp temperature range.
- Goldfish spend time near the bottom where shrimp graze, increasing encounters.
What could go wrong
A goldfish will eat shrimp it encounters, and over time the shrimp population will be wiped out unless there are hiding spots the goldfish cannot access.
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 65-72°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.
Better pairings to consider
The outcome improves only if the tank has heavy structures like dense plant thickets or rock caves that goldfish cannot reach, but this is difficult to maintain with a large goldfish.
Related compatibility questions
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