Can Cory Catfish Live With Shrimp: Factors to Consider and How to Resolve

Do you have a cory catfish and shrimp tank? If you do, you know that corys can be friendly fish and that shrimps can be a great addition to the tank. But can they coexist?

Many cory catfish will happily live with shrimp in a tank, provided they have plenty of space. Others may not be as keen on the arrangement and might prefer to live by themselves. In addition, shrimp may help keep algae growth to a minimum. And if you do want live shrimp in the tank, as they can be challenging to get hold of when shopping, we recommend buying small freshwater crabs instead and mating them with several cory catfish at once.

Different Cory Catfish Species With Shrimp

Can Panda Corys Live With Shrimp?

Many people keep panda corys with shrimp, but it depends on the size of the tank your fish are in. For example, if you have a 20-gallon tank, you can probably put in about 2-4 shrimp and not have any problems. But if your aquarium is much larger or has more irregular shapes/caves, adding too many shrimp could create havoc and stress for both the fish and the shrimp. So it’s always good to consult with your fish expert before adding any new animals to an aquarium, especially if you don’t have experience caring for them.

Can Pygmy Corys Live With Shrimp?

It is theoretically possible for pygmy corys to live in a tank with shrimp, but this would require exceptional care. Pygmy corys are small and delicate fish that may not be able to handle the amount of stress brought on by having too many other creatures in their tank. It’s also important to note that shrimp can be messy eaters, so if your pygmy cory doesn’t have a lot of vegetation to hide in, it might be at a disadvantage and may even lose food.

Can Bamboo Shrimp Live With Cory Catfish?

Bamboo shrimp can live with cory catfish, but it’s essential to keep in mind that these two species are very different from one another. Cory catfish thrive on many plants and aquatic vegetation, while bamboo shrimp prefer living without any plant life. So if you plan on pairing these two creatures together, be sure to provide plenty of both in your tank.

Will Cory Catfish Eat Shrimp?

Cory catfish are omnivores, meaning they will eat both animal and plant-based foods. So although shrimp may be an unsuitable food source for your cory, it’s possible that the fish could scavenge them if they become available. However, feeding shrimp to a catfish is not recommended as this can encourage improper behavior and aggression towards other tank inhabitants. In addition, shrimp can sometimes be toxic to cory catfish, and they will eat them out of spite if they smell like chemicals.

Will Cory Catfish Eat Cherry Shrimp?

While it is possible for cherry shrimp to live with cory catfish, this would likely require a huge tank. Cherry shrimp are much larger than bamboo or pygmy corys and may be unable to fit in a smaller aquarium. Additionally, cherry shrimp aren’t as fond of living in tanks with other aquatic creatures, so they may not get along well with your catfish. If you decide to add these two shrimp species to your tank, be sure to research their compatibility first.

Will Cory Catfish Eat Ghost Shrimp?

No, cory catfish will not eat ghost shrimp. Ghost shrimp are a type of freshwater crustacean that is very similar to bamboo shrimp. However, ghost shrimps can live out of water for extended periods, unlike the latter creatures. This makes them difficult for fish to capture and eat, so aquarium enthusiasts generally avoid them. If you decide to add these invertebrates to your aquarium, keep them in a separate tank so that they don’t conflict with your other fish.

Why Can Cory Catfish Eat Shrimp?

Cory catfish may eat shrimp because they are hungry. However, this is not typically the case. More often than not, catfish will feed on other creatures to consume their flesh and blood. While it’s true that shrimp can sometimes be a nutritious food source for cats, feeding them in this way can occasionally lead to problems such as aggression and territoriality among tank residents. In addition, given the catfish’s known disposition for eating other fish, it’s likely that a sand sifting ghost shrimp will not fare well if planted in your catfishes’ tank.

Which Shrimp Are More Possible to Get Eaten?

Cory catfish are generally not very fond of eating shrimp, likely due to their different sizes and diets. In general, catfish prefer smaller prey items that can easily swallow whole. By contrast, shrimp are much larger than most other aquatic creatures in a tank and can be more difficult for the fish to consume. This makes them a less-than-ideal food source for corys in most cases.

There are a few shrimp species that catfish can occasionally eat, such as bamboo shrimp. If you decide to add ghost shrimps to your aquarium, it is essential to keep them in a separate tank so that they don’t conflict with your other fish. Otherwise, their size and feed-intake preferences may lead to conflicts and ultimately harm both creatures involved.

How to Prevent Corys From Eating Shrimp?

If you want to keep your corys safe from accidentally eating shrimp, there are a few simple steps that you can take:

1. Make sure that the shrimp are not placed in the aquarium unsupervised. Instead, have them brought into the tank gradually so as not to alarm the catfish.
2. Provide your fish with plenty of other prey items to consume instead of shrimp. This will help limit their appetite for this particular type of food.
3. Be sure to remove any shrimp eaten by your catfish from the tank immediately so that they don’t contaminate other fish with their parasites and bacteria.