Mixing different shrimp species into a tank is a great idea. But, if the right tank mates are chosen for your shrimps, these combinations can lead to disaster. When mixing two types of shrimps, it is important to consider the number of each species. If your shrimps are not evenly distributed, you can expect to have the Battle of Thermopylae. Let’s not get into ancient greek geekery (Yes, that pun was intended). Let’s just discuss the question.
Can Ghost Shrimp Live With Cherry Shrimp?
Ghost shrimps can be kept with cherry shrimp in large tanks that have enough vegetation for both species to graze. This will make it easier for ghost shrimps to avoid your cherry shrimps. Both species thrive in the same environment and eat the same food.
Let’s examine the similarities and differences between these shrimps.
Physical Appearance
Red cherry shrimps can grow up to 1.6inches in length while ghost shrimps reach about 2inches, making them larger. Your ghost shrimps will try to take out cherry shrimps.
Cherry shrimp are red, hence their name. You can find them in different colors. They can be sensitive to changes in the substrate’s color, so they will change their shade accordingly. Your cherry shrimps will become translucent or pale if the substrate is too bright. If the substrate is dark, your cherry shrimps will turn a deep red color.
Ghost shrimps’ color is largely determined by what they eat. Ghost shrimps tend to be transparent, with red spots on their bodies.
Water Parameters
These shrimps can live in the same water conditions. Cherry shrimps require water with a pH of 6.5 to 8.0 and a temperature between 57 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. 72 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature.
Ghost shrimps have a PH value of 7.0 to 8.2, similar to red cherry shrimps. Temperatures can range from 65 to 75° Fahrenheit. These comparisons suggest that cherry shrimps are slightly more resilient than ghost shrimps.
Both shrimps can be poisoned by ammonia or nitrite. Make sure that your tank water contains zero of these elements.
Diet
Both ghost shrimps and cherry shrimps can eat anything they find. They love to scavenge and will spend their time at the bottom of the tank grabbing everything, from fish poop, leftover food, carcasses and fish poop to plants and algae.
You might not need to feed the shrimps if your aquarium is well-vegetated.
You can feed them algae wafers and pellets as well as vegetables, fruits, and dried feeders.
Reports have reported that ghost shrimps are sometimes seen eating their shrimplets in times of shortage. Also, they molt after a few days. This is a common occurrence in shrimps. Some hobbyists also mention how ghost shrimps can be able to pick out other ghost shrimps, especially after they have molted.
In retrospect, cherry shrimps aren’t interested in eating other live shrimps.
Aggressiveness
Ghost shrimps can be more aggressive than cherry shrimps. This aggression is often seen when there is not enough space. You need to determine how many you can keep in your aquarium. One ghost shrimp requires one gallon of water. For a more detailed look, you can read my article How many ghost shrimp per gallon?
Cherry shrimps are the best choice for calmness. They are calm and will hide among the plants, scavenging for food when their tankmates are not around. This increases their survival chances.
Lifespan
If the right conditions are provided, both ghost shrimps and cherry shrimp can survive for up to one year. Ghost shrimp longevity is a matter of walking on eggshells. My ghost shrimps have died within a matter of days. It is impossible to predict how long they will live.
Breeding
Both shrimps need freshwater to thrive. Many people believe that ghost shrimps require brackish water to reproduce. However, this is not true for my ghost shrimps. Ghost shrimps can be grown in freshwater and do not need salty water to breed. My ghost shrimps are reproducing healthy fries in freshwater tanks.
Cherry shrimps reproduce much faster than ghost shrimps. You don’t have to worry about the population shrinking. They will quickly multiply and restore balance to their numbers. They only need dense plants to hide from predators.
Sometimes the rapid breeding of cherry shrimps may mean that they need to be removed and placed in a new tank. You can also use them to feed other fishes.
How to keep Ghost Shrimp and Cherry Shrimp together in the same tank?
When keeping these shrimps together in the same tank, there are some things you should be aware of. You need to consider factors such as having enough plants, selecting the right tankmates, feeding plenty of food and making sure that the water parameters are maintained at all times.
Let’s get deeper.
Keep Adequate Aquatic Plants
Shrimps are among the smallest animals in your tank. They will need somewhere to hide. Your shrimps will need to be able to hide from their tank mates and graze on vegetation. Even if your tank is a shrimp-only one, plants are still necessary for your cherry shrimps to hide from ghost shrimps.
Your shrimps will eat algae and moss in your tank. Plants can also stimulate algae growth in your aquarium. Java Fern, Java Moss and Marimo Moss are some of the best plants for shrimp tanks.
Choose Right Tank Mates
Shrimps are always the target of larger tank mates. Choose friendly tank mates who won’t hurt your shrimps. Your shrimps will be safe in their substrates, but they still have to be careful. You must pick the right tank mates for your shrimps.
These are the best and worst tank mates for shrimps.
Neon Tetras and Cherry Barb are suitable tankmates.
Bad tankmates: Angel Fish Rosy Barbs , Betta Fish and Cichlids.
Know Your Tank Capacity
Cherry shrimps, which can reproduce quickly and multiply in a matter of hours, are the fastest. These shrimps should be kept in a larger tank than the recommended size.
They will only be happy if they are kept in a crowded tank. They will begin to hurt each other by chewing on each others’ antennae and limbs.
You should also consider how many shrimps you will be purchasing from the pet shop. It is not a good idea to buy one shrimp and rob them of their social lives. You should get a bunch of them and place them in a properly planted tank.
Your shrimps will have more freedom and space to explore the tank. You will give them more space to hide from your tankmates, who are larger and more aggressive.
When they’re growing, shrimps molt. This is when they’re most vulnerable. Even minor pokes or bites can cause death. A large tank with plants will give them a safe haven from their tank mates.
Provide Enough Food For Both Of Them
You should closely monitor your shrimps’ diet. You should monitor your shrimps’ eating habits. New tanks don’t have enough vegetation to satisfy their hunger. This is why ghost shrimps will prey on tiny cherry shrimps.
Algae wafers and other food that is readily available to satisfy their hunger are good options. You can also feed them shredded carrots, zucchini, and other food. These shrimps are omnivores, meaning they can eat almost any food you give them.
Check The Level Of Nitrites And Ammonia In Your Tank
Your shrimps are not well-suited for nitrates, ammonia and copper as well as lead. These elements can cause your shrimps’ death in a matter of minutes. These elements are also found in fertilizers that are used to grow aquatic plants. Before you put them into your shrimp tank, be sure to read the fertilizer labels. This will help you avoid putting your shrimps’ lives at risk.
For healthy shrimp tanks, it is important to check for such agents regularly. This can be done with a water parameter testing kit. Here are the items I use to maintain my shrimp tank.
Change Water At Right Interval
Regular cleaning of your tank is important. Also, reduce ammonia spikes. You should not change the water more frequently than you need, as your shrimps may not be able to adapt to the new water. This is especially true if they are molting. Every two weeks, change them between 20-30%.
A water conditioner is another option. Our tap water is purified with chlorine and chloramine. These chemicals are great for us but can have negative effects on our shrimps. You should first cleanse the water with a conditioner, then change the water.
This is the one I use for my tanks.
Acclimating Is A Must Before Putting Them In A Tank
Before you place your shrimps in a tank, it is important to acclimatize them. Because the water they are given won’t be compatible with your tank’s water parameters. These shrimps won’t be able survive sudden changes in habitat and water. You should allow them to adjust before putting them in the tank.
Shrimps are sensitive and can sense even the smallest changes in water. But, abrupt changes in water can cause stress and make their internals stop working right after they are placed in a new environment.
This is how to acclimate shrimps before you put them in a new tank.
Place them in a container. You should make sure that they are submerged but not too deep in the water. The airline tube will be used to help you dribble the water. Allow them to dry for at least one hour before you place them in the new tank.
Will My Ghost Shrimps Eat Cherry Shrimps?
Ghost shrimps can eat cherry shrimps, and they will eat anything smaller than their size. The ghost shrimps will not eat your cherry shrimps if there is enough food and dense foliage in the tank.
Can Ghost Shrimp And Cherry Shrimp Breed?
Ghost shrimps and cherry shrimps are not shrimps. They cannot be bred in the same tank because they are two distinct breeds. Some shrimp keepers claim that ghost shrimp and cherry shrimp were mated, and that the result was a distinct hybrid shrimp. Biology suggests that such cases are rare and an anomaly.
Final Words On Can Ghost Shrimp live With Cherry Shrimp
These shrimps are beautiful and quick to clean your tank. It won’t be as easy as it looks in the paper to keep them together. They require attention due to their short life span, small size, vulnerability to predators and water parameters.
You must also protect your ghost shrimps from cherry shrimps. Your aquarium should have a variety of plants that provide hiding places for your cherry shrimps. This will protect your cherry shrimps against predators like ghost shrimps.