Japan, Taiwan, Korea
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
Temp15–27°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
The Complete Shrimp Guide - species, water params, and safe tankmates.
Build calmer shrimp-focused aquariums by selecting peaceful companions and matching stable water ranges.
TDS & Species Matcher
Full tool →TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) is the most reliable single number for shrimp tank stability. Enter your numbers below to see which colonies fit.
Estimated TDS
266 ppm
Range: 214–339 ppm (estimate excludes trace ions).
Conductivity
409 µS/cm
Reverse estimate using 0.65 NaCl factor.
Water character
Moderate
Rough qualitative bucket for shrimp planning.
Shrimp species fit
Compares your TDS to colony-stable ranges. Always acclimate slowly across TDS shifts of more than 30–50 ppm.
Neocaridina (Cherry, Blue Dream, Yellow)
Neocaridina davidi
- TDS
- 150–300
- GH
- 6–12
- KH
- 2–8
Hardy in moderately hard tap water. Avoid drops below 100 ppm TDS during water changes.
Caridina — Crystal Red / Black
Caridina cantonensis
- TDS
- 100–150
- GH
- 4–6
- KH
- 0–2
Requires RO + remineralizer (e.g. Salty Shrimp GH+). Low KH for stable acidic pH.
Caridina — Taiwan Bee / Pinto
Caridina cantonensis var.
- TDS
- 110–140
- GH
- 4–6
- KH
- 0–1
Demanding selectively-bred lines. Stability matters more than exact numbers.
Sulawesi (Cardinal, Harlequin)
Caridina dennerli / spp.
- TDS
- 120–180
- GH
- 4–8
- KH
- 4–8
Warm (27–30 °C), alkaline (pH 7.8–8.4). KH and pH must stay high — opposite of Caridina cantonensis.
Amano shrimp
Caridina multidentata
- TDS
- 150–400
- GH
- 6–15
- KH
- 2–10
Very tolerant. Algae-eating workhorse for planted tanks.
Ghost / Whisker shrimp
Palaemonetes paludosus
- TDS
- 150–400
- GH
- 5–15
- KH
- 3–12
Hardy but can be nippy toward small fish or other shrimp.
Shrimp Species
Taiwan (selectively bred)
Rili Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. rili
Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–8
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Rili Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. rili
Taiwan (selectively bred)
Yellow Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. yellow
Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–8
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Yellow Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. yellow
Sulawesi, Indonesia
Cardinal Shrimp
Caridina dennerli
Temp26–30°C
pH7.5–8.5
Size2.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Cardinal Shrimp
Caridina dennerli
Taiwan (selectively bred from wild Neocaridina davidi)
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–8
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Taiwan (selectively bred)
Blue Velvet Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. blue
Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–8
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Blue Velvet Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. blue
West Africa (Gabon, Cameroon, Nigeria)
Vampire Shrimp
Atya gabonensis
Temp24–28°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size15 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Vampire Shrimp
Atya gabonensis
Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand)
Bamboo Shrimp
Atyopsis moluccensis
Temp22–28°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size10 cm
DietDetritivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Bamboo Shrimp
Atyopsis moluccensis
North America (USA, Mexico)
Ghost shrimp
Palaemonetes paludosus
Temp15–27°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Ghost shrimp
Palaemonetes paludosus
Shrimp-Safe Fish
Shrimp-safe
South America
Adolf's catfish
Corydoras adolfoi
Temp22–26°C
pH6–8
Size5.7 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Adolf's catfish
Corydoras adolfoi
Shrimp-safe
Japan, Taiwan, Korea
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
Temp15–27°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Asian bumblebee catfish
Leiocassis siamensis
Temp22–27°C
pH6–8
Size18 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Asian bumblebee catfish
Leiocassis siamensis
Shrimp-safe
Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand)
Bamboo Shrimp
Atyopsis moluccensis
Temp22–28°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size10 cm
DietDetritivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Bamboo Shrimp
Atyopsis moluccensis
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Beaufortia
Beaufortia pingi
Temp18–24°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size7.4 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Beaufortia
Beaufortia pingi
Shrimp-safe
South America
Black neon tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Temp22–28°C
pH5.5–7.5
Size3.2 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Black neon tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Shrimp-safe
South America
Black phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
Temp22–26°C
pH6–7.5
Size3.6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Black phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Black ruby barb
Pethia nigrofasciata
Temp22–26°C
pH6–6.5
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Black ruby barb
Pethia nigrofasciata
Shrimp-safe
South America
Black tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
Temp20–26°C
pH6–8
Size7.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Black tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
Shrimp-safe
South America
Blackline penguinfish
Thayeria boehlkei
Temp22–28°C
pH6–8
Size3.6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Blackline penguinfish
Thayeria boehlkei
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Blackline rasbora
Rasbora borapetensis
Temp22–26°C
pH6.5–7
Size10 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Blackline rasbora
Rasbora borapetensis
Shrimp-safe
South America
Bleeding-heart tetra
Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma
Temp23–28°C
pH5.6–7.2
Size6.1 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Bleeding-heart tetra
Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Blue Belly Goby
Stiphodon percnopterygionus
Temp22–28°C
pH7–8
Size3.7 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Blue Belly Goby
Stiphodon percnopterygionus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Blue danio
Danio kerri
Temp22–26°C
pH6.5–7
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Blue danio
Danio kerri
Shrimp-safe
Africa
Blue gularis
Fundulopanchax sjoestedti
Temp22–26°C
pH6–8
Size13 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Blue gularis
Fundulopanchax sjoestedti
Shrimp-safe
Africa
Blue lyretail
Fundulopanchax gardneri
Temp22–26°C
pH6–7.2
Size6.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Blue lyretail
Fundulopanchax gardneri
Shrimp-safe
Taiwan (selectively bred)
Blue Velvet Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. blue
Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–8
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Blue Velvet Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. blue
Shrimp-safe
Borneo (Southeast Asia)
Borneo Loach
Pangio shelfordii
Temp24–29°C
pH6–7
Size8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Borneo Loach
Pangio shelfordii
Shrimp-safe
South America
Bronze corydoras
Corydoras aeneus
Temp22–26°C
pH6–8
Size7.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Bronze corydoras
Corydoras aeneus
Shrimp-safe
North America
Butterfly splitfin
Ameca splendens
Temp20–26°C
pH6–8
Size8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Butterfly splitfin
Ameca splendens
Shrimp-safe
Sulawesi, Indonesia
Cardinal Shrimp
Caridina dennerli
Temp26–30°C
pH7.5–8.5
Size2.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Cardinal Shrimp
Caridina dennerli
Shrimp-safe
South America
Cardinal tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Temp23.9–28.9°C
pH4–6
Size3 cm
DietPlanktivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Cardinal tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Celebes rainbowfish
Marosatherina ladigesi
Temp22.2–27.8°C
pH7–8
Size8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Celebes rainbowfish
Marosatherina ladigesi
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Checkered barb
Oliotius oligolepis
Temp20–25°C
pH6–6.5
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Checkered barb
Oliotius oligolepis
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Chen Hillstream Loach
Pseudogastromyzon cheni
Temp15–24°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Chen Hillstream Loach
Pseudogastromyzon cheni
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Cherry barb
Puntius titteya
Temp23–27°C
pH6–8
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Cherry barb
Puntius titteya
Shrimp-safe
Taiwan (selectively bred from wild Neocaridina davidi)
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–8
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Chili Rasbora
Boraras brigittae
Temp24–28°C
pH6.5–7
Size3.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Chili Rasbora
Boraras brigittae
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Chinese Bitterling
Rhodeus sinensis
Temp5–26°C
pH7–8.5
Size10.8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Chinese Bitterling
Rhodeus sinensis
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Clown rasbora
Rasbora kalochroma
Temp23–27°C
pH5–6.5
Size10 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Clown rasbora
Rasbora kalochroma
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Cobalt Blue Goby
Stiphodon semoni
Temp22–28°C
pH7–8
Size4.6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Cobalt Blue Goby
Stiphodon semoni
Shrimp-safe
South America
Colombian Tetra
Hyphessobrycon columbianus
Temp24–28°C
pH6–7.5
Size7 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Colombian Tetra
Hyphessobrycon columbianus
Shrimp-safe
Africa
Congo tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
Temp22.8–27.8°C
pH6–8
Size8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Congo tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Coolie loach
Pangio kuhlii
Temp24–29°C
pH5.5–6.5
Size12 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Coolie loach
Pangio kuhlii
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Daisy's Rice Fish
Oryzias woworae
Temp24–28°C
pH6–7
Size2.8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Daisy's Rice Fish
Oryzias woworae
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Denison barb
Sahyadria denisonii
Temp15–25°C
pH6.8–7.8
Size15 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Denison barb
Sahyadria denisonii
Shrimp-safe
Oceania
Desert goby
Chlamydogobius eremius
Temp18–30°C
pH7–8
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Desert goby
Chlamydogobius eremius
Shrimp-safe
South America
Diamond tetra
Moenkhausia pittieri
Temp23–28°C
pH6–7
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Diamond tetra
Moenkhausia pittieri
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Dwarf danio
Danio nigrofasciatus
Temp22–26°C
pH6.5–7
Size3.7 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Dwarf danio
Danio nigrofasciatus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Dwarf rasbora
Boraras maculatus
Temp24–28°C
pH5–6
Size2.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Dwarf rasbora
Boraras maculatus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Emerald Dwarf Rasbora
Danio erythromicron
Temp20–24°C
pH7–8
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Emerald Dwarf Rasbora
Danio erythromicron
Shrimp-safe
South America
Endlers guppy
Poecilia wingei
Temp24–30°C
pH7–8.5
Size2 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Endlers guppy
Poecilia wingei
Shrimp-safe
South America
Farlowella Catfish
Farlowella vittata
Temp24–28°C
pH6–7
Size22.5 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Farlowella Catfish
Farlowella vittata
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Fiveband barb
Desmopuntius pentazona
Temp23–28°C
pH5–6
Size8.8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Fiveband barb
Desmopuntius pentazona
Shrimp-safe
Oceania
Forktail rainbowfish
Pseudomugil furcatus
Temp—
pH6–8
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Forktail rainbowfish
Pseudomugil furcatus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Galaxy rasbora
Danio margaritatus
Temp20–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size2.1 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Galaxy rasbora
Danio margaritatus
Shrimp-safe
North America (USA, Mexico)
Ghost shrimp
Palaemonetes paludosus
Temp15–27°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Ghost shrimp
Palaemonetes paludosus
Shrimp-safe
South America
Giant Whiptail
Sturisoma aureum
Temp24–28°C
pH6–8
Size20 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Giant Whiptail
Sturisoma aureum
Shrimp-safe
South America
Glass bloodfin
Prionobrama filigera
Temp22.8–26.7°C
pH6–7.8
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Glass bloodfin
Prionobrama filigera
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Glass catfish
Kryptopterus vitreolus
Temp21–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size6.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Glass catfish
Kryptopterus vitreolus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Glowlight Danio
Danio choprae
Temp22–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size3.1 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Glowlight Danio
Danio choprae
Shrimp-safe
South America
Glowlight tetra
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Temp22–28°C
pH6–8
Size3.3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Glowlight tetra
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Gold Ring Danio
Danio tinwini
Temp22–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size2.2 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Gold Ring Danio
Danio tinwini
Shrimp-safe
Central America
Green swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
Temp22–28°C
pH7–8
Size14 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Green swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
Shrimp-safe
South America
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
Temp22–28°C
pH7–8
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Harlequin rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Temp21–28°C
pH5–7
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Harlequin rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Shrimp-safe
South America
Head-and-taillight tetra
Hemigrammus ocellifer
Temp22–28°C
pH6–8
Size4.9 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Head-and-taillight tetra
Hemigrammus ocellifer
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Hillstream loach
Gastromyzon punctulatus
Temp18–24°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size6.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Hillstream loach
Gastromyzon punctulatus
Shrimp-safe
Oceania
Honey blue eye
Pseudomugil mellis
Temp24–28°C
pH6–8
Size3.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Honey blue eye
Pseudomugil mellis
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Horsehead
Opsariichthys bidens
Temp5–24°C
pH6.5–8
Size26.1 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Horsehead
Opsariichthys bidens
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Japanese rice fish
Oryzias latipes
Temp5–30°C
pH7–8
Size4 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Japanese rice fish
Oryzias latipes
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Javanese ricefish
Oryzias javanicus
Temp22–28°C
pH7.5–8.5
Size4.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Javanese ricefish
Oryzias javanicus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Least rasbora
Boraras urophthalmoides
Temp24–28°C
pH6–7
Size4 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Least rasbora
Boraras urophthalmoides
Shrimp-safe
South America
Lemon tetra
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
Temp23–28°C
pH5.5–8
Size3.8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Lemon tetra
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
Shrimp-safe
South America
Leopard corydoras
Corydoras julii
Temp22–26°C
pH6–8
Size5.2 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Leopard corydoras
Corydoras julii
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Lizard Loach
Homaloptera orthogoniata
Temp20–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size13 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Lizard Loach
Homaloptera orthogoniata
Shrimp-safe
Madagascar
Madagascar Rainbow
Bedotia madagascarensis
Temp—
pH4.5–7.5
Size10 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Madagascar Rainbow
Bedotia madagascarensis
Shrimp-safe
Sri Lanka
Melon Barb
Pethia fasciata
Temp22–26°C
pH6–7
Size8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Melon Barb
Pethia fasciata
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Microdevario
Microdevario microphthalma
Temp20–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size2.6 cm
DietInsectivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Microdevario
Microdevario microphthalma
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Mugilogobius
Mugilogobius hitam
Temp24–28°C
pH7–8
Size4.3 cm
DietInsectivore
Swim—
DifficultyExpert
Mugilogobius
Mugilogobius hitam
Shrimp-safe
South America
Nannoptopoma
Nannoptopoma sternoptychum
Temp—
pH—
Size3.3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Nannoptopoma
Nannoptopoma sternoptychum
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Neon Blue Rasbora
Sundadanio axelrodi
Temp23–26°C
pH5–6.5
Size2.3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Neon Blue Rasbora
Sundadanio axelrodi
Shrimp-safe
South America
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Temp21–25°C
pH5–7
Size2.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Shrimp-safe
Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Philippines)
Onion Snail
Vittina olivacea
Temp22–28°C
pH7–8.5
Size3 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Onion Snail
Vittina olivacea
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Orange Fin Danio
Danio kyathit
Temp22–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size3.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Orange Fin Danio
Danio kyathit
Shrimp-safe
South America
Ornate tetra
Hyphessobrycon bentosi
Temp24–28°C
pH5.8–7.5
Size4.3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Ornate tetra
Hyphessobrycon bentosi
Shrimp-safe
South America
Otocinclus
Otocinclus vittatus
Temp21–26°C
pH6–7.5
Size3.3 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Otocinclus
Otocinclus vittatus
Shrimp-safe
South America
Oxyropsis
Oxyropsis carinata
Temp24–28°C
pH6–7.5
Size7.6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyMedium
Oxyropsis
Oxyropsis carinata
Shrimp-safe
South America
Palespotted corydoras
Corydoras gossei
Temp22–26°C
pH6–8
Size5.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Palespotted corydoras
Corydoras gossei
Shrimp-safe
South America
Panda corydoras
Corydoras panda
Temp22–26°C
pH6–8
Size3.8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Panda corydoras
Corydoras panda
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Panda Garra
Garra flavatra
Temp22–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size6.2 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Panda Garra
Garra flavatra
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Panda Loach
Yaoshania pachychilus
Temp18–24°C
pH7–8
Size5.8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Panda Loach
Yaoshania pachychilus
Shrimp-safe
South America
Parotocinclus
Parotocinclus eppleyi
Temp22–26°C
pH6–7
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Parotocinclus
Parotocinclus eppleyi
Shrimp-safe
South America
Peppered corydoras
Corydoras paleatus
Temp18–24°C
pH6–8
Size6.6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Peppered corydoras
Corydoras paleatus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Pond loach
Misgurnus anguillicaudatus
Temp10–25°C
pH6.5–8
Size28 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Pond loach
Misgurnus anguillicaudatus
Shrimp-safe
South America
Pygmy corydoras
Corydoras pygmaeus
Temp22–26°C
pH6–8
Size2.1 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Pygmy corydoras
Corydoras pygmaeus
Shrimp-safe
North America
Rainbow shiner
Notropis chrosomus
Temp10–22°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size8.1 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Rainbow shiner
Notropis chrosomus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Red Cherry Rasbora
Rasbora lacrimula
Temp22–26°C
pH4–7.5
Size3.1 cm
DietInsectivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Red Cherry Rasbora
Rasbora lacrimula
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Red Neon Goby
Stiphodon atropurpureus
Temp22–28°C
pH7–8
Size5 cm
DietPlanktivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Red Neon Goby
Stiphodon atropurpureus
Shrimp-safe
South America
Red phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon sweglesi
Temp22.2–27.8°C
pH5.5–7.5
Size3.2 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Red phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon sweglesi
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Reticulated hillstream loach
Sewellia lineolata
Temp18–24°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5.7 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Reticulated hillstream loach
Sewellia lineolata
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Reticulated Sae
Crossocheilus reticulatus
Temp22–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size17 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Reticulated Sae
Crossocheilus reticulatus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Rhinogobius
Rhinogobius zhoui
Temp15–24°C
pH7–8
Size3.6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Rhinogobius
Rhinogobius zhoui
Shrimp-safe
Taiwan (selectively bred)
Rili Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. rili
Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–8
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Rili Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. rili
Shrimp-safe
East Asia (China, Japan, Korea)
Rose bitterling
Rhodeus ocellatus
Temp5–25°C
pH7–8.5
Size8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Rose bitterling
Rhodeus ocellatus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Rosy barb
Pethia conchonius
Temp16–24°C
pH6–8
Size14 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Rosy barb
Pethia conchonius
Shrimp-safe
South America
Rosy tetra
Hyphessobrycon rosaceus
Temp23.9–27.8°C
pH5.8–7.5
Size3.4 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Rosy tetra
Hyphessobrycon rosaceus
Shrimp-safe
South America
Rummy-nose tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
Temp24–28°C
pH5.5–7
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Rummy-nose tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Sawbwa barb
Sawbwa resplendens
Temp20–24°C
pH7–8
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Sawbwa barb
Sawbwa resplendens
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Siamese algae-eater
Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
Temp22–28°C
pH6–8
Size28 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Siamese algae-eater
Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Siamese flying fox
Crossocheilus oblongus
Temp22–26°C
pH6.5–8
Size16 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Siamese flying fox
Crossocheilus oblongus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Slender Bitterling
Tanakia himantegus
Temp10–25°C
pH6.5–7.8
Size8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Slender Bitterling
Tanakia himantegus
Shrimp-safe
Central America
Southern platyfish
Xiphophorus maculatus
Temp22–28°C
pH7–8
Size4 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Southern platyfish
Xiphophorus maculatus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Spotted blue-eye
Pseudomugil gertrudae
Temp23–28°C
pH6–6
Size3.8 cm
DietPlanktivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Spotted blue-eye
Pseudomugil gertrudae
Shrimp-safe
South America
Sterba's cory
Corydoras sterbai
Temp24–28°C
pH6–8
Size6.8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Sterba's cory
Corydoras sterbai
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Strawberry Rasbora
Boraras naevus
Temp24–28°C
pH5–6.5
Size1.3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Strawberry Rasbora
Boraras naevus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Striped panchax
Aplocheilus lineatus
Temp22–26°C
pH6–7.5
Size10 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Striped panchax
Aplocheilus lineatus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Sumatra barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
Temp22–26°C
pH6–8
Size7 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Sumatra barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Threadfin rainbowfish
Iriatherina werneri
Temp22–30°C
pH6–8
Size4 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Threadfin rainbowfish
Iriatherina werneri
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Three-lined rasbora
Rasbora trilineata
Temp22–25°C
pH6–8
Size13 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Three-lined rasbora
Rasbora trilineata
Shrimp-safe
South America
Twosaddle corydoras
Corydoras weitzmani
Temp22–26°C
pH6–8
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Twosaddle corydoras
Corydoras weitzmani
Shrimp-safe
South America
Whiptail catfish
Farlowella acus
Temp24–28°C
pH6–7
Size16 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Whiptail catfish
Farlowella acus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
White cloud mountain minnow
Tanichthys albonubes
Temp14–22°C
pH6–8
Size4 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
White cloud mountain minnow
Tanichthys albonubes
Shrimp-safe
Taiwan (selectively bred)
Yellow Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. yellow
Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–8
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Yellow Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. yellow
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Zebra danio
Danio rerio
Temp—
pH6–8
Size3.8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Zebra danio
Danio rerio
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Zebra loach
Botia striata
Temp23–27°C
pH6–8
Size7.8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Zebra loach
Botia striata
Shrimp-safe
East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique)
Zebra Nerite
Neritina natalensis
Temp22–28°C
pH7–8.5
Size3 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Zebra Nerite
Neritina natalensis
TDS & Species Matcher
Open full tool →TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) is the most reliable single number for shrimp tank stability. Enter your numbers below to see which colonies fit.
Estimated TDS
266 ppm
Range: 214–339 ppm (estimate excludes trace ions).
Conductivity
409 µS/cm
Reverse estimate using 0.65 NaCl factor.
Water character
Moderate
Rough qualitative bucket for shrimp planning.
Shrimp species fit
Compares your TDS to colony-stable ranges. Always acclimate slowly across TDS shifts of more than 30–50 ppm.
Neocaridina (Cherry, Blue Dream, Yellow)
Neocaridina davidi
- TDS
- 150–300
- GH
- 6–12
- KH
- 2–8
Hardy in moderately hard tap water. Avoid drops below 100 ppm TDS during water changes.
Caridina — Crystal Red / Black
Caridina cantonensis
- TDS
- 100–150
- GH
- 4–6
- KH
- 0–2
Requires RO + remineralizer (e.g. Salty Shrimp GH+). Low KH for stable acidic pH.
Caridina — Taiwan Bee / Pinto
Caridina cantonensis var.
- TDS
- 110–140
- GH
- 4–6
- KH
- 0–1
Demanding selectively-bred lines. Stability matters more than exact numbers.
Sulawesi (Cardinal, Harlequin)
Caridina dennerli / spp.
- TDS
- 120–180
- GH
- 4–8
- KH
- 4–8
Warm (27–30 °C), alkaline (pH 7.8–8.4). KH and pH must stay high — opposite of Caridina cantonensis.
Amano shrimp
Caridina multidentata
- TDS
- 150–400
- GH
- 6–15
- KH
- 2–10
Very tolerant. Algae-eating workhorse for planted tanks.
Ghost / Whisker shrimp
Palaemonetes paludosus
- TDS
- 150–400
- GH
- 5–15
- KH
- 3–12
Hardy but can be nippy toward small fish or other shrimp.
Getting Started with Shrimp Keeping
Stability matters more than chasing exact numbers. Keep temperature, KH/GH, and pH changes gradual.
Dense planting and fine biofilm surfaces increase grazing area and reduce stress for shrimp colonies.
Choose tankmates by mouth size and temperament first, then validate parameter overlap.