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The Daily Insight

Can shrimp live in a planted aquarium?

Author

Rachel Newton

Updated on May 02, 2026

Can shrimp live in a planted aquarium?

Dwarf shrimp are a relatively heterogenous group. These beautiful shrimp are a perfect fit for green planted aquariums. They originate from habitats with rather soft to very soft water, and they also like their aquarium water with a low carbonate hardness, which is perfect for many aquarium plants.

Can shrimp live in small tanks?

Most species stay relatively small, so they are vulnerable to predation by larger fish. Many shrimp enthusiasts set up dedicated shrimp aquariums with no fish at all, however, some species of freshwater shrimp can be kept with small, non-aggressive, non-predatory fish such as: Emerald dwarf rasboras.

What plants are best for a shrimp tank?

Ideal Freshwater Aquarium Plants For Your Shrimp

  • Java Moss. These are very popular freshwater aquarium plants, and are also a firm favorite of shrimp lovers as they provide great places for them to hide in.
  • Java Fern.
  • Anubias & Anubias Nana.
  • Cryptocorynes.
  • Dwarf Lilies.
  • Vallisnera.
  • Water Wisteria.

How small can a shrimp tank be?

Shrimp can be housed in aquariums as small as 5 gallons. However 10 gallons is more common and recommended. As with any aquarium more water volume will increase the stability which is very important when caring for shrimp. Shrimp can be more sensitive than fish to changes in water quality.

What plants do dwarf shrimp like?

In the end, aquarium plants are a good idea when keeping dwarf shrimp….To discover some great plants that you can include in your aquarium at home, check out these 8 freshwater plant options that shrimp are sure to enjoy!

  • Moss.
  • Water Wisteria.
  • Java Fern.
  • Anubias.
  • Pearl Weed.
  • Floating Plants.
  • Dwarf Lily or Tiger Lotus.
  • Hornwort.

How do you set up a planted shrimp tank?

Freshwater Shrimp Aquarium Setup Tips

  1. 3 to 10-gallon aquarium.
  2. Aquarium cover.
  3. Light suitable for growing live plants.
  4. Shrimp Filter with intake guard to prevent shrimp from being drawn in.
  5. Heater and thermometer.
  6. Fine gravel or live plant substrate.
  7. Driftwood and/or rockwork.
  8. Water conditioner.

What do I need to start a shrimp tank?

To set up a nano shrimp tank you’ll need the following items:

  1. 3 to 10-gallon aquarium.
  2. Aquarium cover.
  3. Light suitable for growing live plants.
  4. Shrimp Filter with intake guard to prevent shrimp from being drawn in.
  5. Heater and thermometer.
  6. Fine gravel or live plant substrate.
  7. Driftwood and/or rockwork.
  8. Water conditioner.

Can you put shrimp with betta fish?

The good news is that in the majority of cases, bettas and shrimp will be able to live together peacefully. However, it’s always important to remember that it depends on the temperament of your betta. For bettas and shrimp to live together you need to make sure the tank is right for both of them.

What plants are bad for shrimp?

Occasionally questions about poisonous plants like Elodea, Anubias, Cryptocoryne, etc., arise on shrimp forums. People complain about losing shrimp after pruning these plants.

What is the smallest shrimp tank?

It’s recommended to not go any smaller than a 5 gallon aquarium, like the UNS 45S, unless the tank is heavily planted. Aquatic plants will help stabilize ammonia and nitrate levels (which we explain more down below.) Also, smaller tanks are NOT ideal if you plan on breeding your shrimp.

Can I keep shrimp in a 5 gallon tank?

Water Parameters (pH, temperature, etc) You can keep a small number of cherry shrimp in a nano tank of less than 5-gallons if you want, but we recommend you start with a 5-gallon one to offer your shrimp the safety of a small colony.

Do shrimp like lettuce?

Blanched vegetables make an excellent food for Red Cherry Shrimp. Vegetables such as Zucchini, Lettuce, Spinach, and Carrots are commonly used. When preparing these vegetables, place them in boiling water until they are soft, 2-3 minutes for leafy vegetables and longer for carrots and zucchini.