Japan, Taiwan, Korea
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
Temp18–28°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
532 µS/cm
Reverse estimate via 0.50 (NaCl) scale.
Water character
Moderate
Rough qualitative bucket based on NaCl-equivalent TDS.
Shrimp species fit
Compares your TDS to colony-stable ranges (NaCl scale). 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—
DifficultyExpert
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
Southeastern United States
Ghost shrimp
Palaemon paludosus
Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–8
Size4 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Ghost shrimp
Palaemon paludosus
Shrimp-Safe Fish
Shrimp-safe
South America
Adolf's catfish
Corydoras adolfoi
Temp22–26°C
pH6–7
Size5.7 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Adolf's catfish
Corydoras adolfoi
Shrimp-safe
Japan, Taiwan, Korea
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
Shrimp-safe
Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia)
Assassin Snail
Anentome helena
Temp20–28°C
pH7.2–8.5
Size3 cm
DietCarnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Assassin Snail
Anentome helena
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
Temp20–28°C
pH5–7.5
Size3.2 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Black neon tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Shrimp-safe
Upper Rio Madeira basin (Bolivia/Brazil), Pantanal
Black phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
Temp20–28°C
pH5–7
Size3.6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Black phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Black ruby barb
Pethia nigrofasciata
Temp20–27°C
pH5.5–7.5
Size5.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
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
pH5.5–8
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Blackline penguinfish
Thayeria boehlkei
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Blackline rasbora
Rasbora borapetensis
Temp22–26°C
pH6–7.5
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Blackline rasbora
Rasbora borapetensis
Shrimp-safe
Upper Amazon basin (Brazil/Peru/Colombia)
Bleeding-heart tetra
Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma
Temp21–28°C
pH4–7.5
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Bleeding-heart tetra
Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Blue Belly Goby
Stiphodon percnopterygionus
Temp22–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Blue Belly Goby
Stiphodon percnopterygionus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Blue danio
Brachydanio kerri
Temp18–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size4.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Blue danio
Brachydanio kerri
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
pH7–8
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—
DifficultyExpert
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
Temp18–25°C
pH5.5–7.5
Size4.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Checkered barb
Oliotius oligolepis
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Chen Hillstream Loach
Pseudogastromyzon cheni
Temp20–25°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyHard
Chen Hillstream Loach
Pseudogastromyzon cheni
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Cherry barb
Puntius titteya
Temp20–27°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
Temp20–28°C
pH4–7
Size2 cm
DietInsectivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Chili Rasbora
Boraras brigittae
Shrimp-safe
East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan)
Chinese Bitterling
Rhodeus ocellatus
Temp18–24°C
pH6.5–7
Size9.2 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Chinese Bitterling
Rhodeus ocellatus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Clown rasbora
Rasbora kalochroma
Temp23–28°C
pH5–7.5
Size10 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Clown rasbora
Rasbora kalochroma
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Cobalt Blue Goby
Stiphodon semoni
Temp22–28°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Cobalt Blue Goby
Stiphodon semoni
Shrimp-safe
Río Acandí, Chocó, Colombia
Colombian Tetra
Hyphessobrycon columbianus
Temp20–28°C
pH5–7.5
Size6.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Colombian Tetra
Hyphessobrycon columbianus
Shrimp-safe
Africa
Congo tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
Temp23–28°C
pH6–7.5
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
Temp23–27°C
pH6–7.5
Size2.8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Daisy's Rice Fish
Oryzias woworae
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Denison barb
Sahyadria denisonii
Temp15–25°C
pH6.5–7.8
Size11 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Denison barb
Sahyadria denisonii
Shrimp-safe
Oceania
Desert goby
Chlamydogobius eremius
Temp20–28°C
pH7–8.5
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Desert goby
Chlamydogobius eremius
Shrimp-safe
South America
Diamond tetra
Moenkhausia pittieri
Temp24–28°C
pH5.5–7
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Diamond tetra
Moenkhausia pittieri
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Dwarf danio
Danio nigrofasciatus
Temp18–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size3.7 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Dwarf danio
Danio nigrofasciatus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Dwarf rasbora
Boraras maculatus
Temp20–28°C
pH5–6.5
Size2.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Dwarf rasbora
Boraras maculatus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Emerald Dwarf Rasbora
Danio erythromicron
Temp20–24°C
pH7–8
Size2 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Emerald Dwarf Rasbora
Danio erythromicron
Shrimp-safe
South America
Endlers guppy
Poecilia wingei
Temp24–30°C
pH7–8.5
Size4.5 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
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
Southeastern United States
Ghost shrimp
Palaemon paludosus
Temp18–28°C
pH6.5–8
Size4 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Ghost shrimp
Palaemon paludosus
Shrimp-safe
Colombia (Magdalena basin)
Giant Whiptail
Sturisomatichthys aureus
Temp20–26°C
pH6.6–7.6
Size15 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Giant Whiptail
Sturisomatichthys aureus
Shrimp-safe
South America
Glass bloodfin
Prionobrama filigera
Temp23–27°C
pH6–7.5
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Glass bloodfin
Prionobrama filigera
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Glowlight Danio
Danio choprae
Temp16–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size3.1 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Glowlight Danio
Danio choprae
Shrimp-safe
South America
Glowlight tetra
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Temp24–28°C
pH5.5–7.5
Size4 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Glowlight tetra
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Gold Ring Danio
Brachydanio tinwini
Temp18–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Gold Ring Danio
Brachydanio tinwini
Shrimp-safe
Central America
Green swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
Temp16–28°C
pH7–8
Size16 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Green swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
Shrimp-safe
South America
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
Temp17–28°C
pH7–8
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Harlequin rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Temp21–28°C
pH5–7.5
Size4.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Harlequin rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Shrimp-safe
South America
Head-and-taillight tetra
Hemigrammus ocellifer
Temp24–28°C
pH5.5–7.5
Size4.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Head-and-taillight tetra
Hemigrammus ocellifer
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Hillstream loach
Gastromyzon punctulatus
Temp23–25°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size6.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Hillstream loach
Gastromyzon punctulatus
Shrimp-safe
Oceania
Honey blue eye
Pseudomugil mellis
Temp20–28°C
pH6–7.5
Size3.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Honey blue eye
Pseudomugil mellis
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Japanese rice fish
Oryzias latipes
Temp16–22°C
pH6.5–8.5
Size3.6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Japanese rice fish
Oryzias latipes
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Javanese ricefish
Oryzias javanicus
Temp24–29°C
pH7–9
Size3.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Javanese ricefish
Oryzias javanicus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Least rasbora
Boraras urophthalmoides
Temp24–28°C
pH6–7
Size2 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Least rasbora
Boraras urophthalmoides
Shrimp-safe
South America
Lemon tetra
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
Temp20–28°C
pH5–7.5
Size3.8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Lemon tetra
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis
Shrimp-safe
South America
Leopard corydoras
Corydoras julii
Temp20–26°C
pH6–8
Size5.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Leopard corydoras
Corydoras julii
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Lizard Loach
Homaloptera orthogoniata
Temp20–25°C
pH6–7.5
Size9.5 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
pH4–6.5
Size2.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyHard
Neon Blue Rasbora
Sundadanio axelrodi
Shrimp-safe
South America
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Temp21–25°C
pH4–7.5
Size3 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
Temp16–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size4.5 cm
DietCarnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Orange Fin Danio
Danio kyathit
Shrimp-safe
South America
Ornate tetra
Hyphessobrycon bentosi
Temp20–28°C
pH5–7.5
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
Temp24–28°C
pH5.5–7.5
Size5.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Palespotted corydoras
Corydoras gossei
Shrimp-safe
Upper Amazon, Peru
Panda corydoras
Corydoras panda
Temp22–25°C
pH6–7.4
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Panda corydoras
Corydoras panda
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Panda Garra
Garra flavatra
Temp22–27°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size9 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Panda Garra
Garra flavatra
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Panda Loach
Yaoshania pachychilus
Temp20–24°C
pH6.5–7.5
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
Temp22–26°C
pH6–7
Size7 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Peppered corydoras
Corydoras paleatus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Pond loach
Misgurnus anguillicaudatus
Temp18–23°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 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
Temp22–26°C
pH6.5–7.5
Size5 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Red Neon Goby
Stiphodon atropurpureus
Shrimp-safe
South America
Red phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon sweglesi
Temp20–28°C
pH4.5–7.5
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
Temp16–24°C
pH6–7.5
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
Size7.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Rosy barb
Pethia conchonius
Shrimp-safe
South America
Rosy tetra
Hyphessobrycon rosaceus
Temp23.9–27.8°C
pH5.5–7.5
Size4 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Rosy tetra
Hyphessobrycon rosaceus
Shrimp-safe
South America
Rummy-nose tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
Temp24–27°C
pH5.5–7
Size5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Rummy-nose tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
Shrimp-safe
Myanmar (Lake Inlé)
Sawbwa barb
Sawbwa resplendens
Temp18–22°C
pH6–8
Size3 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Sawbwa barb
Sawbwa resplendens
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Siamese flying fox
Crossocheilus oblongus
Temp23–27°C
pH6–7.5
Size16 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Siamese flying fox
Crossocheilus oblongus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Slender Bitterling
Tanakia himantegus
Temp15–28°C
pH6.5–7.8
Size8 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Slender Bitterling
Tanakia himantegus
Shrimp-safe
Central America
Southern platyfish
Xiphophorus maculatus
Temp20–26°C
pH7–8.2
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Southern platyfish
Xiphophorus maculatus
Shrimp-safe
Oceania
Spotted blue-eye
Pseudomugil gertrudae
Temp21–28°C
pH4.5–7.5
Size3.8 cm
DietPlanktivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Spotted blue-eye
Pseudomugil gertrudae
Shrimp-safe
South America
Sterba's cory
Corydoras sterbai
Temp24–28°C
pH6–7.6
Size6.5 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Sterba's cory
Corydoras sterbai
Shrimp-safe
Southern Thailand (Tapi river drainage)
Strawberry Rasbora
Boraras naevus
Temp20–28°C
pH5–7
Size2 cm
DietInsectivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Strawberry Rasbora
Boraras naevus
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Striped panchax
Aplocheilus lineatus
Temp22–28°C
pH6–7.5
Size10 cm
DietCarnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Striped panchax
Aplocheilus lineatus
Shrimp-safe
Oceania
Threadfin rainbowfish
Iriatherina werneri
Temp22–30°C
pH5–8
Size4 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Threadfin rainbowfish
Iriatherina werneri
Shrimp-safe
Asia
Three-lined rasbora
Rasbora trilineata
Temp22–25°C
pH5–8
Size15 cm
DietInsectivore
Swim—
DifficultyEasy
Three-lined rasbora
Rasbora trilineata
Shrimp-safe
South America
Twosaddle corydoras
Corydoras weitzmani
Temp22–26°C
pH6–7.2
Size6 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Twosaddle corydoras
Corydoras weitzmani
Shrimp-safe
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
Shrimp-safe
South America
Whiptail catfish
Farlowella acus
Temp24–27°C
pH6–7
Size15 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Whiptail catfish
Farlowella acus
Shrimp-safe
South America
Whiptail Catfish
Loricaria simillima
Temp24–27°C
pH5.6–7.8
Size18 cm
DietOmnivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Whiptail Catfish
Loricaria simillima
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
East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique)
Zebra Nerite
Vittina natalensis
Temp22–28°C
pH7–8.5
Size3 cm
DietHerbivore
Swim—
DifficultyModerate
Zebra Nerite
Vittina 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
532 µS/cm
Reverse estimate via 0.50 (NaCl) scale.
Water character
Moderate
Rough qualitative bucket based on NaCl-equivalent TDS.
Shrimp species fit
Compares your TDS to colony-stable ranges (NaCl scale). 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.