Compatible Shrimp Species
Amano shrimp (2 inches): too big for guppies to bother. Bulletproof choice.
Cherry shrimp (1 inch): work as adults but babies get eaten. Need heavy planting.
Ghost shrimp (1.5 inches): cheap, mostly safe, occasional adult deaths.
Avoid: Crystal red shrimp (too sensitive), Sulawesi shrimp (need different water).
Tank Setup for Both
Heavy planting is non-negotiable. Java moss, hornwort, and floating plants give shrimp escape routes from guppies.
Add small caves and rock crevices where adult shrimp can molt safely (post-molt shrimp are vulnerable).
- ✦Match water hardness to shrimp species (cherries like soft-medium, neocaridina handle hard).
- ✦Avoid copper-based meds — kills shrimp instantly.
Will Shrimp Breed?
Cherry shrimp will breed in guppy tanks. However, baby cherries (the size of a sesame seed) are usually eaten by guppies within hours.
For successful colonies, set up a dedicated breeding tank with no fish, then move adults into the display tank.
Feeding Both
Guppy flake food becomes shrimp food when it sinks. Add shrimp pellets or blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach) once a week as targeted feeding for shrimp.
Do not overfeed — uneaten food fouls water and harms shrimp first.