Ghost Shrimp Tank Mates (16 Options)

Ghost Shrimp Tank Mates

We’ve broken down 16 different Ghost shrimp tank mate possibilites for you, but you can pair them with many more.

Ghost Shrimp are interesting to watch and could make great tank mates for other aquatic species. Seeing these little translucent shrimp interact with your other fish can add a little more of a pleasant aesthetic to your aquarium.

However, ghost shrimp also make great feeders which is why a lot of aquarium enthusiasts breed them; for their other fish. Omnivorous fish love ghost shrimp, making it hard to choose which fish can cohabit peacefully and which ones might make a meal out of them.

If you just think they’re neat and wonder if they would be able to cohabit with your other fish, this is the article for you.

Compatible Tank Mates for Ghost Shrimp

Since ghost shrimp come are freshwater shrimp, you want to find tankmates that will thrive in the same kind of water. These conditions need to remain consistent as well, so suitable tank mates will have similar needs.

While they can survive in brackish waters, they cannot develop in waters with higher salinity. You want to keep their water slightly hard with a pH level between 7.0 to 8.0 and with a light flow from a filter or air pump.

Another thing you want to consider is their temperament. Ghost shrimp are calm and peaceful. They will usually not mess with other creatures, minding their own business snacking at the bottom of the tank.

There are quite a few creatures that can get along with these laid-back shrimps. Here are some compatible tank mates you should check out:

Snails

These freshwater gastropod mollusks have many different families that might be able to be suitable tank mates for your ghost shrimp. Here are a few to name some:

1. Nerite Snails

These snails are more often bought for freshwater aquariums, but there are saltwater varieties too. They are used to living in changing water conditions, which makes them adaptable to most aquariums.

Experience Level: Beginner
Family: Neritidae
Scientific Name: Neritina natalensis
Other Names: Spotted Nerite, tiger snail, zebra snail, or zebra nerite
Adult Size: 1 to 1.5 inches
Lifespan: 2 to 3 years
Average Price Range: about $2 to $4 per snail
Where to buy: Amazon, eBay, aquaticarts.com

2. Mystery Snails

Two mystery snails in tank eating algae off glass

Also known as the Spike-topped Apple Snail, these guys are some cool-looking freshwater snails with gills that have a protective cover over them called an operculum; similar to a fish! They are active algae-eaters as well.

Experience Level: Beginner
Family: Ampullariidae
Scientific Name: Pomacea bridgesii
Other Names: Spike-topped apple snail or mystery snail
Adult Size: 3 inches
Lifespan: 1 to 2 years +
Average Price Range: about $2 to $5 per snail
Where to buy: Amazon, eBay, aquaticarts.com, imperialtropicals.com

Loaches

3. Zebra Loach

Zebra loaches are a great choice, as they prefer to swim in schools of five or more. This means you will need at least a 30-Gallon tank to keep them comfortable. They can, however, get along with other Botia species and may even school with their fellow coaches.

Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Family: Botiidae
Scientific Name: Botia striata
Adult Size: 3.5 to 4 inches
Lifespan: around 10 to 15 years
Average Price Range: $7 to $8.20 per loach(usually sold in schools)
Where to buy: aquaticarts.com, petfishforsale.com, AquariumFish.net, AZGardens

4. Kuhli Loach

The kuhli loach is a slender, eel-like, nocturnal freshwater loach. They are very beautiful and will add a great aesthetic to your aquarium. However, they prefer clean, well-oxygenated water and require a soft substrate.

Experience Level: Intermediate
Family: Cobitidae
Scientific Name: Pangio kuhlii
Adult Size: 2 3⁄4 to 4 inches
Lifespan: approximately 14 years
Average Price Range: $4.99 to $6.99 per loach (depending on size)
Where to buy: petzonesd.com, PetSmart, AZGardens, aquaticarts.com

Catfish

5. Cory Catfish

These freshwater catfish are also excellent cleaners and will not bother your ghost shrimp. They are compatible tank mates that will help clean up leftovers along with your shrimp.

Experience Level: Beginner
Family: Callichthyidae
Scientific Name: Corydoras
Adult Size: about 2.5 inches
Lifespan: 5 years
Average Price Range: $4.99 to $6.99 per fish (depending on the type)
Where to buy: aquariumfish.net, eBay, aqua-imports.com, liveaquaria.com

6. Suckermouth Catfish

Suckermouth Catfish (Hypostomus plecostomus)

Also known as “pleco”, these catfish are very docile and will get along with your shrimp just fine. However, they will get territorial with other catfish present. You will also need a large aquarium with a hefty size of at least 75 gallons per fish to keep these catfish comfortable.

Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Family: Loricariidae
Scientific Name: Hypostomus plecostomus
Adult Size: 17 inches
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years
Average Price Range: $4.99 to $20+ (depending on type and size)
Where to buy: liveaquaria.com, Petco, aquaticarts.com

7. Ottos or Otocinclus catfish

Also known as “Ottos” or “dwarf suckers”, these herbivorous catfish will make great company for your shrimp. They will not usually have any interest in eating shrimp and are peaceful creatures. They’re also very tiny and entertaining to watch while they dart around the tank.

Experience Level: Beginner
Family: Loricariidae
Scientific Name: Otocinclus
Other Names: Ottos, dwarf sucker
Adult Size: 2 inches
Lifespan: 3 to 5 years
Average Price Range: $1 to $5 per fish (usually sold in schools)
Where to buy: aqua-imports.com, petzonesd.com, liveaquaria.com

Fellow Shrimp

8. Cherry Shrimp

It is highly recommended to keep Cherry Shrimp in schools of at least 10 in order to keep harmony in the tank. This will help limit any dominant behavior, as they are more confident in groups.

Experience Level: Intermediate
Family: Atyidae
Scientific Name: Neocaridina davidi
Adult Size: 1.6 inches
Lifespan: 1 to 2 years
Average Price Range: $2.29 to $6
Where to buy: flipaquatics.com, theshrimpfarm.com, aquaticarts.com, liveaquaria.com, Petco

9. Amano shrimp

two Amano shrimp swimming — Amano shrimp in tank

Amano and Ghost shrimp can coexist, although it is best to make sure the Amano shrimp are larger than the Ghosts just to keep them from fighting over food or asserting dominance. They can be really good tank mates since they share most of the same needs.

Experience Level: Beginner
Family: Atyidae
Scientific Name: Caridina multidentata
Adult Size: 2 inches
Lifespan: between 2 to 3 years
Average Price Range: Around $3.99 per shrimp
Where to buy: flipaquatics.com, aqua-imports.com, planetinverts.com, Petco, Amazon

10. Bamboo Shrimp

These freshwater shrimp are also very peaceful and make great tankmates for most other aquatic creatures that are non-aggressive and that don’t eat shrimp.

Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Family: Atyidae
Scientific Name: Atyopsis moluccensis
Adult Size: around 3 inches
Lifespan: 2 years
Average Price Range: $8.99 to $17.99 per shrimp (depending on size)
Where to buy: flipaquatics.com, aqua-imports.com, theifishstore.com, aquariumfishdepot.com, aquaticarts.com

11. Vampire Shrimp

Also known as Viper shrimp, these invertebrates are docile, shy, and don’t like to be bothered. Regardless of their name, they do not show any signs of aggression and will most definitely not feed on their own kind.

Experience Level: Intermediate
Family: Atyidae
Scientific Name: Atya gabonensis
Adult Size: 2 to 3 inches
Lifespan: 5 years
Average Price Range: $16.99 to $24.99 per shrimp
Where to buy: aquaticarts.com, flipaquatics.com, worldwidefishandpets.com, azgardens.com, petzonesd.com

Small Fish

12. Tetras

Tetras swim in schools of at least six or more and live together harmoniously. They love plants as well as good lighting so it is best to keep your aquarium well-vegetated and well-lit if you are thinking about adding them to your tank.

Experience Level: Beginner
Family: Characidae
Scientific Name: Paracheirodon Axelrodi
Adult Size: Around 2 inches
Lifespan: 2 to 5 years
Average Price Range: Around $2 per fish
Where to buy: eBay, aqua-imports.com, imperialtropicals.com

13. Cherry Barbs

These colorful little fish are the most popular of the Barbs among aquarists because of their grouping nature. They will make a beautiful addition to any aquarium. They should be kept in groups of 6 or more; the more the better.

Experience Level: Beginner to Expert
Family: Cyprinidae
Scientific Name: Puntius titteya
Adult Size: 2 inches
Lifespan: 4 years
Average Price Range: Around $2.99 per fish
Where to buy: Petsmart, theifishstore.com, aquariumfish.net, liveaquaria.com, flipaquatics.com

14. Slender Danios

Danios or Slender Danios are small freshwater fish with beautiful patterns of stripes, spots, or bars. They are very lively and active, so you will definitely be entertained. They can live peacefully with ghost shrimp and are hardy, making them easy to care for.

Experience Level: Beginner
Family: Cyprinidae
Scientific Name: Danio
Adult Size: 2 to 2.5 inches
Lifespan: 3 to 5 years
Average Price Range: $1.99 to $3.99 per fish
Where to buy: Petsmart, aquariumfish.net, aquariumfishsale.com

15. Hatchetfish

These surface dwellers are popular among hobbyists due to their interesting shape and appearance. They are peaceful, making them good tank mates for many different types of aquariums.

Experience Level: Beginner
Family: Gasteropelecidae
Scientific Name: Gasteropelecus sternicla
Adult Size: About 1.5 inches
Lifespan: Approximately 5 years
Average Price Range: Around $5 to $6 per fish
Where to buy: Petsmart, aquariumfishsale.com, liveaquaria.com, aquaticarts.com, azgardens.com

16. Betta Fish

While it is not recommended due to the possible risk of your betta eating your ghost shrimp, it is possible for them to be tank mates. This will really all depend on how aggressive your betta fish is.

You can try to experiment, but again, it is not recommended as betta fish are known to be aggressive around other fish. In fact, they are named “Fighting Fish” and there is a reason. Some aquarists have had success, though, which is why they are on this list… with a disclaimer.

Fighting fish are very popular because of their beautiful colors and flowy fins. Please do further research in order to make your betta fish as comfortable as possible before adding your ghost shrimp to the same tank.

Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Family: Osphronemidae
Scientific Name: Betta splendens
Adult Size: 2.5 inches
Lifespan: 3 to 5 years
Average Price Range: Anywhere between $4 to $20 per fish (depending on type, rarity, etc.;)
Where to buy: Petco, Amazon, eBay, Aquabid, That Pet Place, liveaquaria.com, many more…

Conclusion

In general, try not to put your ghost shrimp with any fish that has a mouth large enough to eat it because most omnivorous fish will just eat whatever they can fit their mouth around. Generally, you should also avoid pairing them with aggressive or territorial fish.

The aquatic animals listed here are great tank mates for a larger aquarium, but it usually is best just to keep ghost shrimp in their own tank. If it’s for the aesthetic, this list can be a huge help to you.

Ghost shrimp can also be a great addition to your already existing aquarium. Rest assured knowing that these guys will most likely keep your ghost shrimp unharmed!

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