Cherry shrimp Tank Mates
Short answer: the best cherry shrimp tank mates are Bristlenose pleco, Nerite snail, Amano shrimp, Chili rasbora, Ember tetra, Mystery snail. Cherry shrimp need 64–82 °F (18–28 °C), pH 6.5–8 and at least 5 gallons. Keep them in a group of 10 or more.
Cherry shrimp care at a glance
| Adult size | 1.2 in (3 cm) |
| Minimum tank | 5 US gallons |
| Temperature | 64–82 °F (18–28 °C) |
| pH | 6.5–8 |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims in | Bottom |
| Group size | Groups of 10+ |
| Care level | Easy |
gallon tank
✅ Compatible tank mates (14)
⚠️ Possible with caution (36)
- Betta fish — Betta fish will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Dwarf gourami — Dwarf gourami will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Guppy — Guppy will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Harlequin rasbora — Harlequin rasbora will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Molly — Molly will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Neon tetra — Neon tetra will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Platy — Platy will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Celestial pearl danio — Celestial pearl danio will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Endler's livebearer — Endler's livebearer will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Black skirt tetra — Black skirt tetra will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Cardinal tetra — Cardinal tetra will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Cherry barb — Cherry barb will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Glowlight tetra — Glowlight tetra will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Honey gourami — Honey gourami will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Rummy nose tetra — Rummy nose tetra will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Serpae tetra — Serpae tetra will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- White cloud mountain minnow — White cloud mountain minnow will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Zebra danio — Zebra danio will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Pearl gourami — Pearl gourami will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Swordtail — Swordtail will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Siamese algae eater — Siamese algae eater will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Sparkling gourami — Sparkling gourami will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Black neon tetra — Black neon tetra will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Bloodfin tetra — Bloodfin tetra will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Dwarf neon rainbowfish — Dwarf neon rainbowfish will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Forktail blue-eye — Forktail blue-eye will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Glass catfish — Glass catfish will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Lemon tetra — Lemon tetra will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- X-ray tetra — X-ray tetra will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Buenos Aires tetra — Buenos Aires tetra will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Congo tetra — Congo tetra will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Gold barb — Gold barb will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Odessa barb — Odessa barb will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Upside-down catfish — Upside-down catfish will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Boesemani rainbowfish — Very narrow shared temperature range: Boesemani rainbowfish 27–30 °C (81–86 °F) vs Cherry shrimp 18–28 °C (64–82 °F).
- Chinese algae eater — Chinese algae eater will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
❌ Not recommended (21)
- Fancy goldfish — Fancy goldfish will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Tiger barb — Tiger barb will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Angelfish — Angelfish will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Oscar — Oscar will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Pea puffer — Pea puffer will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- German blue ram — German blue ram will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Kribensis — Kribensis will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Three spot gourami — Three spot gourami will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Electric yellow cichlid — Electric yellow cichlid will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Discus — Discus will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Rainbow shark — Rainbow shark will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Red tail shark — Red tail shark will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Clown loach — Clown loach will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Cockatoo dwarf cichlid — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Paradise fish — Paradise fish will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Convict cichlid — Convict cichlid will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Rosy barb — Rosy barb will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Firemouth cichlid — Firemouth cichlid will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Bolivian ram — Bolivian ram will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Jack Dempsey — Jack Dempsey will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Bala shark — Bala shark will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
How many cherry shrimp per tank?
5 gal 10 gal 20 gal 29 gal 40 gal 55 gal 75 gal — see what else fits with our stocking calculator.
FAQ
What fish can live with cherry shrimp?
Good matches include Bristlenose pleco, Nerite snail, Amano shrimp, Chili rasbora, Ember tetra, Mystery snail. They share a temperature range with cherry shrimp (64–82 °F (18–28 °C)), are a similar temperament, and are not big enough to eat each other or nip fins.
What fish should not live with cherry shrimp?
Avoid Fancy goldfish, Tiger barb, Angelfish, Oscar, Pea puffer, German blue ram.
What size tank do cherry shrimp need?
We recommend at least 5 US gallons for a group of 10 cherry shrimp, more if you add tank mates.
Can cherry shrimp live alone?
No. Cherry shrimp are social and should be kept in groups of at least 10.
Note: Compatibility depends on individual temperament, tank size, decor and how fish are introduced. Our verdicts use conservative rules applied to published care data (see methodology). They are guidance, not a guarantee. Quarantine new fish and watch for chasing, torn fins or hiding.