Can Cherry Shrimp Live With Molly?
Sometimes, adult cherry shrimp survive with mollies, but mollies may pick off baby shrimp since they grow to 4-5 inches.
Why
- Mollies grow to 4-5 inches and are active swimmers that can corner slow-moving shrimp.
- Adult cherry shrimp at 1-1.5 inches have hard shells and are too big for most mollies to swallow.
- Baby shrimp under 0.5 inches fit easily in a molly's mouth and become targets.
- Dense plants like java moss give shrimp hiding cover, reducing predation risk.
- Mollies prefer harder water (pH 7.5-8.5) which is fine for cherry shrimp.
What could go wrong
A molly that discovers baby shrimp in the open will eat them, and over time the shrimp population may not sustain itself.
Gear for a shared tank
Sized for the 20 gallon minimum this pairing needs. Affiliate links — we earn a small commission if you buy through them.
AquaClear 30 Power Filter
Oversized filtration is what lets you stock two species together without water quality crashing. Rated for a tank slightly larger than the 20 gallon minimum.
Eheim Jager 150W 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.
Better pairings to consider
The outcome improves if the tank has heavy plant cover and the shrimp colony is already established with adults only.
Related compatibility questions
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