Test your water first
Amazon listEvery bar on this page means nothing without a reading. These four cover every number below. Tap + to add an Amazon one to your Amazon list.
Why these: liquid kits read more reliably than strips, and GH, KH, TDS and copper are the extra tests shrimp keepers need (TankFlare, opened Oct 12, 2026).
As an Amazon Associate, Moss & Molt earns from qualifying purchases. Items marked Amazon aren't sold by us; Amazon handles the order.
Shrimp · Snails · Plants · Fish
Para-Medic
Pick who lives in your tank and get a guide for each one: water numbers, setup, and the things that kill them. Mix residents and it checks whether they can share the same water.
Who lives in your tank?
Select your tank's residents to see your comprehensive guides.
Your tank together
The water range every resident you picked can live in, plus anything that clashes.
Check your water
Type in what your test kit reads. An orange line marks your reading on every matching bar, and each guide's header shows how your tank fits that species. Leave a box empty to skip it.
Optimal = the range at least three sources agree on, where that many exist. Tolerates = the range at least two support. Numbers from a single source are marked "1 source".
What's wrong in your tank?
Tick what you're seeing. The likely causes are ranked using the residents and readings above, plus any answers below.
A few quick questions (optional, sharpens the answer)
Causes and numbers come from the sources named on each line (opened Oct 24, 2026). This is general guidance, not a vet.
Your guides appear here
Tap residents in the blue grid above. Each one you pick adds its full guide below, in the order shown in the grid.
Neo or Caridina?
Two kinds of dwarf shrimp that look alike in photos but need different water. Every shrimp Moss & Molt breeds is a Neocaridina.
| Compare | Neocaridina (Neo) | Caridina (crystal & bee) |
|---|---|---|
| Sold as | Cherry, Blue Dream, Blue Demon, Black Rose, Orange Eye and other color lines (Neocaridina davidi) | Crystal Red, Crystal Black, bee and tiger shrimp (Caridina cantonensis, C. mariae) |
| Best for | Beginners: forgiving of small mistakes | Experienced keepers: a small mistake can wipe out a colony |
| Water source | Dechlorinated tap water that tests in range, or remineralized RO | Remineralized RO water in most areas |
| Substrate | Anything: gravel, sand or a bare bottom | Active soil that holds pH down (replaced every 12–18 months) |
| Temperature | ||
| pH | ||
| GH | ||
| KH | ||
| TDS | ||
| Breed together? | No. Neos and Caridina can't interbreed. | |
| Same tank? | Possible, but not ideal. Their water barely overlaps (the ideal KH ranges don't overlap at all), so one kind is always stressed. Keep them in separate tanks if you want either to breed. | |
Water rows are the optimal ranges from the Neo and Caridina guides below (Crystal Red for Caridina). Amano shrimp are a Caridina too (C. multidentata), but they live in Neo-style water: see the Amano guide.
Sources, opened Oct 23, 2026: The Shrimp Farm · Gensou · Shrimpy Business. Water numbers: the sources listed in each guide.
Fauna · Dwarf shrimp
Neo Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi: Cherry, Blue Dream, Orange Eye and every other color line
Every Neo color is the same species, which is why they are hardy, breed in the tank, and why mixing colors ruins a line. They are the heart of what we raise.
Water parameters
Water prep
- RO water Not needed
- Dechlorinated tap water works. If you use RO, remineralize it before it goes in the tank. Buce Plant (substrate guide)
- Substrate Inert
- Inert gravel or sand is the simple choice. Active soil also works, but with already-soft water it can push pH dangerously low. Buce Plant
- Optional buffers
- Crushed coral ↑ KH↑ pH+ GH only if your tap is soft or acidic. 1 lb per 10 gal mixed into gravel, or a small bag in the filter. Aquarium Co-op
- Catappa leaves ↓ pH 0.2–0.5biofilm about 1 medium leaf per 10 gal. Shrimp graze the film that grows on them. Gensou
- GH remineralizer + GH needed only with RO water. Buce Plant
Deathly allergic
- Copper. Lethal to Neos around 0.03–0.05 ppm. Copper fish meds are dosed near 0.25–0.50 ppm. Check fertilizer labels; copper pipes and brass fittings leach it. Gensou, Flip Aquatics
- Insecticides. Flea and tick treatments (spot-ons, collars, oral meds), bug sprays and foggers, permethrin and pyrethrin products. Toxic at parts per billion, including residue on hands and pets. FurryCritter
- Chlorine and chloramine. Always dechlorinate tap water, including water used to rinse filters. Shrimp Up
- Ammonia and nitrite. Any reading above 0. Shrimp Up
- Liquid carbon (glutaraldehyde) in a breeding colony. Overdose turns shrimp lethargic or opaque. Gensou
Setup
Cycle the tank first. That takes about 4–6 weeks; it is done when ammonia and nitrite read 0 within a day of dosing ammonia and some nitrate shows. Start with at least 10 shrimp (15 to breed) at about 1–3 per gallon. Use an air-driven sponge filter so babies can't be pulled in. In a normal room, no heater is needed. Drip-acclimate new shrimp. Aquarium Science, TankFlare, Buce Plant, Quality Marine, Shrimp Science
Feeding
Neos graze biofilm and algae all day; moss and leaves grow more of it. Feed a small amount they finish, and remove leftovers, since uneaten food becomes ammonia.
Breeding
Females carry about 20–30 eggs for roughly 2–4 weeks, and the babies hatch as tiny adults. Keep one color line per tank; crossed colors throw lower-grade and wild-colored babies. Wikipedia, 2Hr Aquarist, Shrimp Up, Shrimp Science
Tank mates
A breeding tank should have no fish at all; even otocinclus can eat newborns. In a display tank, nano fish are relatively harmless but not risk-free. Buce Plant
Water changes
15–20% every 2–3 weeks. Go weekly above 10 shrimp per gallon and twice a week above 20. Shrimp Up
Watch for
A shrimp stuck mid-molt usually means GH is too low for it to build a new shell. Sudden deaths after a water change point to chlorine, copper or a big swing in parameters. Gensou
How we keep ours
Our breeding tanks run on dechlorinated tap water, an air-powered sponge filter in every tank, inert gravel over only the back 10–20% of the floor, and loose clumps of moss. We typically see 15–30 eggs per brood.
Sources · opened Oct 12, 2026
- 2Hr Aquarist — Red cherry shrimp care guide
- Shrimp Science — Red cherry shrimp
- Shrimp Up Aquatics — Neocaridina care guide
- Shrimp Up Aquatics — Neocaridina water parameters
- Shrimp Up Aquatics — Neocaridina breeding guide
- Buce Plant — How to breed freshwater shrimp
- Buce Plant — Beginner's guide to keeping shrimp
- Buce Plant — Best substrate for a planted shrimp tank
- Quality Marine — You need a Neocaridina tank
- Wikipedia — Neocaridina davidi
- Aquarium Science — Bacteria in a bottle
- TankFlare — Fishless cycling guide
- Gensou — Amano shrimp care (GH and molting)
- Shared sources for nitrate, copper, insecticides, crushed coral, catappa and glutaraldehyde: see the bottom of the page.
Fauna · Dwarf shrimp
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata, also sold as Yamato or Japanese shrimp
The largest common dwarf shrimp, up to about 2 inches, and the best algae eater of the group, including the hair and string algae other shrimp ignore. Shrimp Science, Buce Plant
Water parameters
Water prep
- RO water Not needed
- Amanos handle a wide range of tap water once acclimated. Buce Plant
- Substrate Any
- Inert gravel, sand or soil all work.
- Optional buffers
- GH remineralizer + GH if your tap GH is very soft; too little mineral leads to failed molts. Gensou
- Catappa leaves ↓ pH 0.2–0.5biofilm fine to use. Gensou
Deathly allergic
- Copper. Lethal around 0.03–0.06 ppm, within hours to 2 days. Gensou
- Insecticides. Flea and tick treatments, bug sprays, foggers, permethrin and pyrethrin. FurryCritter
- Ammonia and nitrite. Even low levels kill Amanos quickly. Build Your Aquarium
- Chlorine and chloramine. Dechlorinate all tap water. Shrimp Up
Setup
Plan on at least 10 gallons and a group of 3 or more. Keep a tight lid; Amanos are escape artists. Most are wild-caught, so acclimate slowly. TankFlare, Gensou, Aquatic Arts
Feeding
Algae, biofilm and leftovers. They are larger than other dwarf shrimp, so they need more food, and big ones will push smaller shrimp off a meal. Aquatic Arts, Shrimp Science
Breeding
They won't breed in a freshwater tank: the larvae need brackish or salt water for their first weeks. Your tank will never overpopulate. Shrimp Science, Aquatic Arts, Buce Plant
Tank mates
Good with Neos and other dwarf shrimp. They don't interbreed with them and won't eat shrimp babies. Aquatic Arts
Watch for
An Amano turning blue near the head is stressed; test the water. They molt about every 3–4 weeks. Shrimp Science
Sources · opened Oct 12, 2026
Fauna · Dwarf shrimp
Caridina Shrimp
Caridina cantonensis: Crystal Red, Crystal Black and other bee lines
Bee shrimp need soft, slightly acidic water that stays still, which means RO water and a buffering soil. They are not a beginner shrimp: the margin for error is small and the shrimp are expensive. The numbers below are for Crystal Red; check the seller's numbers for other Caridina lines. Buce Plant, The Shrimp Farm, TankFlare
Water parameters
Water prep
- RO water Required
- Use RO water remineralized with a GH-only shrimp mineral (no KH). TankFlare, Buce Plant
- Substrate Active soil
- A buffering soil holds pH low and steady. It lasts about 12–18 months, up to 2 years, then needs replacing. New soil often leaches ammonia: wait a couple of months and test before adding shrimp. Shrimp Science, Buce Plant
- Optional buffers
- Catappa leaves ↓ pH 0.2–0.5tannins the mild pH drop suits Caridina. Don't overdose; too many leaves drop pH fast. Gensou
- Skip crushed coral ↑ KH↑ pH it pushes both the wrong way for bee shrimp. Aquarium Co-op
Deathly allergic
- Copper. The lowest tolerance on this page: lethal around 0.01–0.03 ppm, within hours to a day. Gensou
- Tap water, or any water with KH 1 or higher, on active soil. It strips the soil's buffer and the pH climbs. Shrimp Science, Buce Plant
- Insecticides. Flea and tick treatments, bug sprays, foggers, permethrin and pyrethrin. FurryCritter
- Ammonia and nitrite. Any reading above 0, including ammonia from new soil. Shrimp Up, Shrimp Science
- Nitrate creep. High-grade Crystal Reds are more nitrate-sensitive than most dwarf shrimp. The Shrimp Farm
Setup
Cool water suits them; a heater is optional if the room stays near 68°F all year. Keep a species-only tank so their care needs aren't fighting other animals'. Shrimp Science, Buce Plant
Feeding
Biofilm, diatoms and algae, plus shrimp pellets, spirulina, bee pollen and blanched vegetables. Leave molted shells in the tank so the shrimp recycle the minerals. Buce Plant
Breeding
They breed readily in stable water. They carry eggs a little longer than Neos and the babies grow more slowly. The Shrimp Farm
Grading
The whiter the shrimp, the higher the grade. Some red parents throw black babies; buy Pure Red Line stock if you want only red. Shrimpy Business, Shrimp Science
With Neos?
Crystal Reds can live near pH 7, so a shared tank is possible, but the two species' best ranges barely overlap, so both end up off their best numbers. Shrimp Science
Sources · opened Oct 12, 2026
- Buce Plant — Crystal Red Shrimp (S-SS grade)
- The Shrimp Farm — Crystal Red shrimp care
- TankFlare — Crystal Red shrimp care guide
- Shrimp Science — Crystal Red shrimp
- Shrimp Science — Active substrates for bee shrimp
- Shrimpy Business — Crystal Red shrimp care guide
- Buce Plant — Best substrate for a planted shrimp tank
- Buce Plant — How to breed freshwater shrimp
Fauna · Fan shrimp
Filter Feeder Shrimp
Bamboo shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis) and Vampire shrimp (Atya gabonensis)
These shrimp hold up fans and catch food out of moving water. Bamboo shrimp reach about 7–9 cm; Vampire shrimp reach 12–15 cm. They need real current and a mature tank, so they belong in a display tank, not a gentle air-sponge breeder. Gensou, The Shrimp Farm
Water parameters
Water prep
- RO water Not needed
- Both adapt to most tap water and lean neutral to slightly basic. The Shrimp Farm
- Substrate Any
- Use cobbles, rocks and wood to make both high-flow feeding perches and sheltered resting spots. Practical Fishkeeping
- Optional buffers
- Mineral supplement or cuttlebone + Ca Vampire shrimp take longer to harden a new shell; keep calcium steady. Gensou
Deathly allergic
- Copper. Lethal to dwarf shrimp at a few hundredths of a ppm; treat these the same. Gensou
- Insecticides. Flea and tick treatments, bug sprays, foggers, permethrin and pyrethrin. FurryCritter
- Chlorine and chloramine. Use a conditioner that neutralizes chloramine and binds metals. Gensou
- Starvation. Not a chemical, but the common killer: a low-flow tank leaves them nothing to catch. Practical Fishkeeping, The Shrimp Farm
Setup
Moderate to strong flow is essential; they perch near the filter outlet. Bamboo shrimp are comfortable from about 60 liters (16 gal); Vampire shrimp want 30 gallons or more. Add them to an established tank. Gensou, TankFlare, The Shrimp Farm
Feeding
The hardest part of keeping them. Target fine powdered foods into the current where they perch. A Bamboo shrimp walking the floor picking at gravel instead of fanning is hungry, or the flow is too weak. Practical Fishkeeping, Gensou
Breeding
Their larvae need brackish water, so they won't breed in a freshwater tank. Shrimpy Business
Lifespan
Bamboo shrimp typically live about 2 years with good care; longer is possible. Practical Fishkeeping
Watch for
A new Vampire shrimp may vanish for days and come out mostly at dusk. That is normal. Gensou
Sources · opened Oct 12, 2026
- Charterhouse Aquatics — Bamboo shrimp
- Fishyhub — Bamboo shrimp
- Gensou — Bamboo shrimp vs Vampire shrimp
- Gensou — Vampire shrimp vs Bamboo shrimp
- Gensou — Bamboo shrimp care guide
- Guidarium — Bamboo and Vampire shrimp
- Practical Fishkeeping — Fans of flow
- The Shrimp Farm — Bamboo shrimp
- TankFlare — Vampire shrimp profile
- Shrimpy Business — Vampire shrimp
Fauna · Dwarf crayfish
Dwarf Crayfish
Cambarellus patzcuarensis (CPO)
Bright orange crayfish only about 1.5 inches long. Unlike big crayfish they leave plants alone, but they do catch shrimp and snails. Gensou, Aquatic Arts
Water parameters
With shrimp
They can catch slow or young shrimp and snails. Aquatic Arts advises against keeping them with dwarf shrimp; The Shrimp Farm says it works. Aquatic Arts, Gensou, The Shrimp Farm
Plants
Safe with anubias, buce, mosses and crypts: they don't chop plants like big crayfish. Gensou
Molting
Vulnerable right after a molt. Leave the shed shell in for about 2 days so they eat it back. Failed molts come from soft water, low calcium and temperature swings. Gensou, Aquatic Arts, The Shrimp Farm
Fauna · Micro crabs
Thai Micro Crabs
Limnopilos naiyanetri
Tiny, shy crabs with fuzzy legs that live in roots and moss and feed on fine particles. Safe with shrimp. Gensou, The Shrimp Farm, Aquatic Arts
Water parameters
Feeding
They catch particles from the water and biofilm, so feed powdered foods. One that hides and sits still may be underfed. Gensou, Aquatic Arts
Mature tank
Add them only to an established, cycled tank: they are sensitive to ammonia, nitrate and copper. The Shrimp Farm, Shrimpy Business
Tankmates
Safe with Neocaridina and Caridina. Bettas, dwarf cichlids, adult guppies and crayfish can eat them. The Shrimp Farm, Aquatic Arts, Gensou
Fauna · Snails
Snails
Nerites (Neritina, Vittina and others) and Mystery snails (Pomacea bridgesii)
Snails build their shells from calcium in the water, so hard, alkaline water keeps them healthy and soft, acidic water slowly dissolves them. That puts them closer to Neo water than to Caridina water.
Water parameters
Water prep
- RO water Not needed
- Hard tap water helps. With RO water, add calcium. Aquatic Arts
- Substrate Inert
- Skip active soil in a snail tank; it pushes pH down. Buce Plant
- Optional buffers
- Crushed coral ↑ KH↑ pH+ GH 1 lb per 10 gal in the gravel, or a bag in the filter. Aquarium Co-op
- Cuttlebone + Ca slow-release calcium for shells. Fishyhub, TankFlare
- Calcium block ↑ GH↑ KH lasts about 3–4 months. Gensou
- Go easy on catappa leaves ↓ pH lower pH works against shells. Gensou, Fishkeeping Advice
Deathly allergic
- Copper. Lethal to snails around 0.05–0.10 ppm within 1–3 days. Copper meds for fish will kill them. Gensou, Fishyhub
- Insecticides. Snails share shrimp's sensitivity to flea, tick and bug treatments. FurryCritter
- Soft, acidic water. Low pH dissolves the calcium carbonate their shells are made of. Fishkeeping Advice
- Ammonia spikes and high nitrate. Nerites are susceptible to both. McMerwe
Nerites
Algae eaters that can't reproduce in fresh water, though they leave hard white eggs on surfaces. Plan about one per 5 gallons. They live longer in water above pH 7. White patches or thinning at the shell tip mean they need more calcium. Aquatic Arts, Modest Fish, Gensou
Mystery snails
Grow to about 2 inches and live 1–2 years. They eat melting leaves, not healthy plants. A male and female lay pink egg clutches above the waterline that hatch in 1–4 weeks; remove clutches you don't want. Aquarium Co-op
Feeding
Algae and biofilm, plus calcium-rich foods: snail and shrimp foods, blanched kale or spinach. Aquarium Co-op
Small snails
Ramshorn, bladder and Malaysian trumpet snails are completely shrimp-safe. Gensou
Which snails eat algae?
| Snail | Algae | What they eat |
|---|---|---|
| Nerites zebra, horned, tiger, pumpkin, helmet, olive and more | Algae eater | Mostly algae grazed off glass, rock and leaves: green spot algae and brown diatoms especially. They ignore black beard and staghorn algae and don't eat healthy plants. Gensou, A-Z Animals |
| Mystery snails | Some algae | Biofilm, leftover food, dead plant matter and some soft and hair algae. Not enough to clear a tank that's covered in algae. Aquariadise, Fishkeeping Advice |
| Rabbit snails | Some algae | Biofilm, detritus, decaying plants and soft algae. Big and slow; they can uproot small carpet plants. Gensou, Bantam |
| Black devil spike | Some algae | Soft algae, biofilm and leftover food on hard surfaces; a slow, steady grazer. Only breeds in brackish water. Aquatic Arts |
| Assassin snails | Eats snails | Mostly other snails and their eggs, plus leftover protein foods. Not an algae eater. They can pick off shrimplets, so skip them in a shrimp breeding tank. The Shrimp Farm, Chewy |
Black panther snails: no reliable source found yet, so no rating. Sources opened Oct 23, 2026; links below.
Sources · opened Oct 12, 2026 (algae table: Oct 23, 2026)
- Gensou — Nerite snail care guide: algae eating (Oct 23)
- A-Z Animals — What do nerite snails eat? (Oct 23)
- Aquariadise — Do mystery snails eat algae? (Oct 23)
- Fishkeeping Advice — What do mystery snails eat? (Oct 23)
- Gensou — Rabbit snail care guide (Oct 23)
- Bantam — Rabbit snails (Tylomelania) (Oct 23)
- Aquatic Arts — Black devil spike snail (Oct 23)
- The Shrimp Farm — Assassin snail care (Oct 23)
- Chewy — Keeping assassin snails (Oct 23)
- Aquarium Co-op — Mystery snail care guide
- Aquatic Arts — Mystery snail care guide
- Aquatic Arts — Nerite snails
- Gensou — Mystery snail complete care guide
- Gensou — Nerite snail care guide
- The Shrimp Farm — Mystery snails
- Fishkeeping Advice — Mystery snail lifespan
- Modest Fish — Nerite snail care
- Chewy — Nerite snail care guide
- TankFlare — Nerite snail care guide
- Fishyhub — Spotted nerite snail
- McMerwe — Nerite snails
- Gensou — Shrimp-safe fish (and snails)
Fauna · Predatory snails
Assassin Snails
Clea helena
Striped snails that hunt other snails, which makes them the classic fix for a pest-snail boom. They also eat the snails you want to keep. Aquarium Co-op, The Shrimp Farm, Buce Plant
Water parameters
Other snails
They eat other snails; in groups they can kill big ones, including mystery, nerite and rabbit snails. TankFlare says healthy adult nerites and mysteries are usually safe. Aquarium Co-op, The Shrimp Farm, Buce Plant, TankFlare
With shrimp
Generally safe with adult dwarf shrimp, but some keepers report them catching shrimplets. Be careful in breeding tanks. Aquarium Co-op, The Shrimp Farm, Buce Plant
Water
Soft or acidic water damages their shells over time. The Shrimp Farm, Aquarium Co-op, TankFlare
Sources · opened Oct 24, 2026
Fauna · Small snails
Ramshorn & Pest Snails
Ramshorn (Planorbella), bladder snails and other small snails
Small snails that hitchhike on plants and clean up leftovers. Harmless to shrimp; their numbers simply follow how much food goes in. Gensou, The Shrimp Farm, Buce Plant
Water parameters
Population boom
Explosions come from overfeeding: excess food fuels breeding. Cut feeding, remove leftovers, and trap them with an algae wafer. Gensou, The Shrimp Farm, Aquatic Arts
Plants
They rarely eat healthy plants, mostly dying or melting leaves. Gensou, Buce Plant, The Shrimp Farm, Aquatic Arts
Never
Copper snail killers kill shrimp too. Assassin snails, loaches, puffers and crayfish eat them instead. The Shrimp Farm, Gensou, Buce Plant
Sources · opened Oct 24, 2026
Flora · Moss
Mosses
Java moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri / Vesicularia dubyana) and relatives
Moss is the best nursery a shrimp tank can have. It grows biofilm for grazing and hides babies, and more young shrimp reach adulthood in tanks that have it. The Shrimp Farm
Water parameters
Water prep
- RO water Not needed
- Java moss tolerates almost any water type. Aquariadise
- Substrate None
- It feeds from the water. Tie it to wood or rock, sandwich it in mesh, or leave it as a loose clump. Aquariadise
- Optional buffers
- None needed. Match the water to the animals living in the moss.
Deathly allergic
- Liquid carbon (glutaraldehyde) overdose. Certain mosses melt. Gensou
- Strong light for long hours. Not a chemical, but it buries moss in algae. PangoVet, Aquariadise
- Pesticide residue on new plants. Farms that use copper-based sprays can send residue that kills your shrimp. Rinse and quarantine. Gensou
Light
Low to medium light is plenty. More light gives a denser, lighter-green moss, but also more algae. Build Your Aquarium, The Shrimp Farm
Flow and warmth
A little flow keeps debris out of the moss and helps it grow. Warm water slows it down. Araflora, PangoVet
Trimming
Trim regularly; it grows over everything and will clog filters and shade other plants. Shake out trapped dirt and let the filter catch it. FishProfiles
Other mosses
Christmas, Taiwan and spiky mosses grow slower and are less forgiving. Ask us for the variety's needs before buying.
How we keep ours
Loose clumps in every tank. We stopped using moss mesh mats: they grew a lot of hair algae, were a hassle, and grew slowly.
Flora · Rhizome plant
Anubias
Anubias barteri var. nana, Petite, Bonsai and other cultivars
Thick, dark leaves on a creeping rhizome. Nana stays around 8–10 cm and Petite around 3–5 cm. It grows slowly, needs no CO2, and almost nothing eats it. Gensou, Houseplant Dropship
Water parameters
Water prep
- RO water Not needed
- Tolerates a wide range of water. Houseplant Dropship
- Substrate None
- Glue or tie it to wood or rock. If it goes in the ground, the rhizome must stay on top. Aquatic Arts, Portland Aquarium
- Optional buffers
- None needed. A complete liquid fertilizer helps it grow fuller; check that it is copper-safe for shrimp. Houseplant Dropship, Flip Aquatics
Deathly allergic
- A buried rhizome. Not a chemical, but the main way anubias die: the rhizome rots, turns soft and black, and the rot spreads. Gensou, Portland Aquarium
- Pesticide residue on new plants. Copper-based farm sprays can kill shrimp. Rinse and quarantine. Gensou
Light
Low to moderate. Strong light grows algae on the slow leaves. Place it in gentle flow so debris doesn't settle on it. Houseplant Dropship, Portland Aquarium
Propagating
Cut the rhizome into sections, each with a few leaves, and attach them elsewhere. Aquatic Arts, Gensou
Rhizome rot
A healthy rhizome feels firm like a carrot. If part goes mushy or black, take the plant out and cut the soft section away. Gensou, Aquarium Co-op, Portland Aquarium
With Neos
Anubias sources start at 72°F, and Neos do best at 68–76°F. A tank kept at 72–76°F suits both.
Flora · Rhizome plant
Bucephalandra
Bucephalandra spp., from Borneo, in hundreds of named varieties
Grows like a small anubias, with leaves that pick up blue, purple and metallic sheens. Very slow, and fussier than anubias or java fern about sudden changes in the water. AquariumPlants.com, Buce Plant
Water parameters
Water prep
- RO water Not needed
- Adapts to a wide range of water. Keep it stable. Nature Aquariums, Buce Plant
- Substrate None
- Glue or tie the rhizome to rock or wood; it roots in over several weeks. Nature Aquariums
- Light
- Low to medium, about 15–30 PAR. Buce Plant saw hair algae on Buce at 100 PAR. Buce Plant, Nature Aquariums
Deathly allergic
- A buried rhizome. It rots and the plant melts. Aquariadise, AquariumPlants.com, Buce Plant
- Sudden swings in water. Less tolerant of abrupt changes than its relatives. Buce Plant
- Pesticide residue on new plants. Rinse and quarantine before it goes in a shrimp tank. Gensou
Settling in
Leaves often melt after a move, especially from farm-grown (above water) to submerged. If the rhizome stays firm, it recovers. Aquariadise
Light clues
Long gaps between leaves mean it's stretching for light. More light brings faster growth and color, but also algae on slow leaves. Aquariadise, AquariumPlants.com
Propagating
Cut the rhizome and attach each piece to new hardscape. Buce Plant
CO2
Optional. It grows without it, slowly. Aquariadise
Flora · Ferns, crypts, stems
Java Fern & Other Plants
Java fern (Microsorum pteropus), Cryptocoryne, Water wisteria and more
The low-tech staples that pair with shrimp. Bars below are for Java fern, the one with the most sourced numbers.
Water parameters
Water prep
- RO water Not needed
- Java fern is highly adaptable. 2Hr Aquarist
- Substrate Depends
- Java fern is a rhizome plant: attach it, don't bury it. Crypts feed through their roots and grow most easily in soil. 2Hr Aquarist
- Optional buffers
- None needed. Fertilized substrate and a liquid supplement help both. Use shrimp-safe, copper-free fertilizers. LiveAquaria, Flip Aquatics
Deathly allergic
- Liquid carbon (glutaraldehyde). Vallisneria, riccia and some Rotala decline even at normal doses. Gensou
- Unstable water for crypts. Stems and leaves rot; crypts also melt when moved to a new tank. LiveAquaria, 2Hr Aquarist
- Pesticide residue on new plants. Rinse and quarantine. Gensou
Java fern
A shade plant: low light by default. Tie it to wood or rock. It makes baby plants on its leaves; snip them off at about an inch and attach them elsewhere. 2Hr Aquarist, The Shrimp Farm
Cryptocoryne
Tough once settled, but they take a while to adjust and often melt first. Side plantlets can be moved around the tank. 2Hr Aquarist
Water wisteria
A fast-growing, very easy stem plant for beginners. Buce Plant
Lighting time
Low-light plants still need 10–12 hours of light a day; "low light" refers to intensity. LiveAquaria
Flora · Rosette plants
Cryptocoryne
Cryptocoryne wendtii and other crypts
Slow, tough root plants for low light. They are famous for "melting": dropping most of their leaves after a move, then regrowing from the roots. Aquarium Co-op, Buce Plant, TFH Magazine
Water parameters
Melting
After a move or any sudden change in the water, crypts drop most of their leaves. Leave the roots planted: new leaves regrow from them. Aquarium Co-op, Buce Plant, TFH Magazine
Feeding
Heavy root feeders. In sand or gravel they need root tabs; leaves yellowing and dying after a couple of months means add more. Aquarium Co-op, Buce Plant
Light
Low light is enough and CO2 is not needed; CO2 only speeds them up. Aquarium Co-op, Buce Plant, Tropica
Planting
Bury the roots but keep the crown (where the leaves start) above the substrate, and pick a permanent spot. Aquarium Co-op, Buce Plant
Sources · opened Oct 24, 2026
Flora · Stem plants
Stem Plants
Rotala rotundifolia, Ludwigia, Bacopa and other stems
Fast growers that soak up nutrients and crowd out algae. They grow toward the light, so they need trimming and enough light at the base. Buce Plant, Tropica, TFH Magazine
Water parameters
Bare lower stems
Leggy, bare stems mean light isn't reaching the base (crowding or shade). Space stems when planting and trim often. Buce Plant, Tropica
Colour
Red and pink colour needs strong light plus iron; lower light gives lanky green stems. Buce Plant, TFH Magazine, Tropica
Trimming
Takes heavy pruning. Replant the healthy tops when the lower stems decline. TFH Magazine, Tropica
New plants
Some melt right after planting is normal while they adjust to growing underwater; sudden swings also cause melt. Bulk Reef Supply, Buce Plant
Flora · Carpeting plants
Carpet Plants
Monte Carlo (Micranthemum tweediei), HC, Glosso and other carpets
Low plants that spread into a lawn across the front of the tank. The hardest group: they want strong light, rich soil and usually CO2. Buce Plant, Planted Aquaria, Josh's Frogs
Water parameters
Light and CO2
Medium to high light, and CO2 for a tight carpet. Without CO2 it grows thin and tall and lifts more easily. Sources disagree on whether CO2 is required. Buce Plant, Planted Aquaria, Josh's Frogs, Aquatic Arts
Trimming
A carpet that gets too thick lifts and floats off as the bottom layers die in the shade. Trim hard and often. Tropica, Aquasabi
Planting
Tissue-culture portions have weak roots: plant small clumps deep in fine soil, or grow them in first with a dry start. Buce Plant
Substrate
Needs a nutrient-rich soil; sudden changes in the water melt new growth. Buce Plant, Tropica, Planted Aquaria
Flora · Floating plants
Floating Plants
Red root floater (Phyllanthus fluitans), Frogbit, Salvinia
Plants that float on the surface and pull nutrients straight from the water. They shade everything below and hate splashing. Buce Plant, Aquatic Arts
Water parameters
Flow
Surface agitation and strong flow kill floaters. Keep the surface calm. Buce Plant, Aquatic Arts, Biotope Aquarium Project, The Shrimp Farm
Shade
A mat of floaters blocks light to the plants below. Thin it as it spreads. Buce Plant, Aquatic Arts
Wet tops
Drips from a lid damage red root floaters, and frogbit rots when its leaf tops stay wet. Aquasabi, The Shrimp Farm, Aquatic Arts
Colour
Red root floater leaves turn red with strong light, iron and lower nitrogen; the roots are red under any light. Buce Plant, Aquasabi, Biotope Aquarium Project
Flora · Rosette plants
Swords & Vallisneria
Amazon sword (Echinodorus), Vallisneria and other rosettes
Big rosette plants that grow from a crown and feed through their roots. Amazon swords fill a background; Vallisneria spreads by runners. Aquarium Co-op, Aquariadise
Water parameters
Feeding
Heavy root feeders: root tabs at planting, then more each month. Older outer leaves yellowing after a few months means low nutrients. Aquarium Co-op, Aquariadise
New plants
Farm-grown swords arrive with leaves grown above water; these die back and slimmer underwater leaves replace them. Normal. Aquarium Co-op, Aquariadise
Planting
Never bury the crown: it rots. Bury only the roots. Aquariadise, Quality Marine, Aquarium Co-op
Watch for
Plecos may chew holes in sword leaves. Vallisneria melts with unstable water; remove old leaves at the base instead of cutting them. Aquarium Co-op, Buce Plant, Aquatic Arts
Sources · opened Oct 24, 2026
- Tropica — Echinodorus 'Bleherae'
- Aquarium Co-op — Amazon sword
- Aquatic Arts — Amazon sword
- Fishyhub — Amazon sword
- Aquariadise — Growing Amazon sword
- Quality Marine — Echinodorus bleheri
- Flowgrow — Echinodorus 'Bleherae'
- Aquatic Arts — Vallisneria spiralis
- Flowgrow — Vallisneria spiralis
- Buce Plant — Vallisneria spiralis
Fauna · Nano fish
Medaka Rice Fish
Oryzias latipes, the Japanese ricefish
Small (about 1.5 inches), peaceful, and bred in Japan into hundreds of color varieties. They come from rice paddies, so they handle wide temperature swings and cool rooms, and live about 2–4 years. Shrimpy Business, Fish Tank Setups, Gensou
Water parameters
Water prep
- RO water Not needed
- They tolerate a wide range of pH and hardness. Shrimpy Business
- Heater Usually not
- Unheated is fine if the room stays above 60°F. Shrimpy Business
- Optional buffers
- None needed. Floating plants and fine-leaved plants give cover and spawning sites. AllFish2U, Gensou
Deathly allergic
- Ammonia and nitrite. Cycle the tank before adding fish. TankFlare, Fish Tank Setups
- Chlorine and chloramine. Use a conditioner that neutralizes chloramine. Gensou
- Liquid carbon overdose. Fish gasp at the surface. Gensou
- Copper medications in a shared tank. Fish handle treatment doses, but the same dose kills every shrimp and snail in the tank. Gensou
Setup
About 6 medaka fit a 10-gallon tank. They come from still water, so keep flow gentle. Shrimpy Business, Fish Tank Setups
Feeding
Crushed flakes, micro pellets, freeze-dried foods and baby brine shrimp. Shrimpy Business, Gensou
Breeding
Keep them at the warm end of their range with good food, and give them fine-leaved plants or spawning mops for eggs. Feed fry powdered food for the first week, then baby brine shrimp. AllFish2U, Shrimpy Business, Gensou
With shrimp
They generally leave adult shrimp alone but may eat very small babies. Fine in a display tank with moss; keep them out of shrimp breeding tanks. The Shrimp Farm, Buce Plant
Fauna · Labyrinth fish
Betta
Betta splendens
A single showy fish for a heated tank. Bettas breathe air at the surface as well as through their gills, and males fight each other. Aquarium Co-op, Seriously Fish, OATA
Water parameters
Alone
Never keep two bettas together: males fight until one is badly hurt. Long-finned tankmates can be attacked, and fin-nippers will nip the betta. Aquarium Co-op, OATA, Seriously Fish
With shrimp
Most bettas just pick off baby shrimp, but some hunt adults. Give dense cover, and keep bettas out of a shrimp breeding tank. The Shrimp Farm
Heater
An unheated betta in a cool room is sluggish; it needs a heater. Aquarium Co-op
Fauna · Schooling fish
Tetras
Neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi), Ember tetra and other small tetras
Small schooling fish for soft to medium water. They only relax and color up in a proper group. Seriously Fish, Fishkeeping World, Aquarium Co-op
Water parameters
Group
Keep at least 6, ideally 8–10 or more; small groups are visibly stressed. Fishkeeping World, Aquarium Co-op, Seriously Fish, Gensou
With shrimp
Adult cherry shrimp are fine with neons, but very small shrimplets may be eaten. Gensou
Tankmates
No fish big enough to swallow them, and plenty of plants to hide in. OATA, Aquarium Co-op
Fauna · Livebearers
Guppies & Livebearers
Guppy (Poecilia reticulata), Endler's and other livebearers
Colorful fish that give birth to live young, and plenty of them. They want harder, alkaline water than most shrimp-tank fish. Seriously Fish, Aquarium Co-op, Gensou
Water parameters
Water
Hard, alkaline water (pH 7 or more). They cope with soft water for a while but do poorly long term; crushed coral or a mineral supplement raises hardness. Seriously Fish, Aquarium Co-op, Gensou
Fry
Adults eat their own fry. Dense cover such as java moss saves some, or move fry out. Seriously Fish, Aquarium Co-op
Ratio
2–3 females per male: males chase females non-stop. Aquarium Co-op, OATA, Seriously Fish
Warmth
Warm water speeds growth but shortens their lives. Avoid fin-nippers as tankmates. Seriously Fish, OATA, Aquarium Co-op
Fauna · Catfish
Corydoras
Pygmy cory (Corydoras pygmaeus) and other corydoras
Small, peaceful catfish that root through the substrate in groups. Pygmy corys are the shrimp-tank size. Seriously Fish, Aquarium Co-op
Water parameters
Group
At least 6, better 8–10 or more of one species. Seriously Fish, Aquarium Co-op, Gensou, TankFlare
Substrate
Sand or smooth fine gravel. Worn-down barbels usually mean poor water, not just sharp gravel. Gensou, Aquarium Breeder, OATA, Aquarium Co-op
With shrimp
They eat shrimplets small enough to fit in their mouths; shrimp over about a week old are usually safe. Aquarium Breeder
Feeding
Not algae eaters: feed sinking food so they aren't outcompeted. Pygmy corys swimming mid-water is normal. Aquarium Co-op, Seriously Fish
Fauna · Algae-eating catfish
Otocinclus
Otocinclus vittatus / affinis
Tiny algae-eating catfish that are safe with shrimp of every size. The catch: most arrive half-starved and they need an established tank. Aquarium Co-op, Gensou, Aquarium Breeder
Water parameters
Mature tank only
They need plenty of algae and biofilm, about 6 weeks or more of growth. In a new or very clean tank they starve. Gensou, Aquarium Co-op, Aquarium Breeder
The first 2 weeks
Most arrive already starving. Pick round-bellied ones and add algae wafers or blanched vegetables. Aquarium Co-op, Aquarium Breeder, ScotCat
With shrimp
Safe with shrimp, babies included, though they compete for algae. Aquarium Breeder, Aquarium Co-op
Group
Most sources say 6 or more; Aquarium Co-op says a couple of well-fed otos beat a bigger group that starves. Gensou, Aquarium Breeder, ScotCat, Aquarium Co-op
Sources · opened Oct 24, 2026
Fauna · Nano fish
Other Fish
Shrimp-safe nano fish: Otocinclus, Chili rasbora and others
Every fish eats baby shrimp if it is hungry enough. The question is whether adults survive. Small mouths and gentle habits are what make a fish shrimp-safe; fish over about 5 cm start treating adult cherry shrimp as food. Gensou
Water parameters
Water prep
- RO water Not needed
- Chili rasboras handle pH 6.5–8.0, close to most shrimp tanks. Shrimpy Business
- Order of stocking
- Get the shrimp colony settled and breeding in dense plants before any fish go in. UKAPS forum
- Optional buffers
- Match the species. Check each fish's own numbers against your shrimp before buying.
Deathly allergic
- Pea puffers in a shrimp tank. Not shrimp-safe, whatever some lists say. Gensou
- Copper fish medications. Treat sick fish in a separate tank. Flip Aquatics
- Ammonia and nitrite. Cycle before adding fish. TankFlare
- Liquid carbon overdose. Gensou
| Fish | Adult size | Adult shrimp | Baby shrimp | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otocinclus | 3–4 cm | Safe | Some risk | Gensou; Buce Plant notes they can eat newborns |
| Chili rasbora | 1.5 cm | Safe | Mostly safe | Gensou |
| Least rasbora | Micro | Safe | Some risk | Gensou |
| Ember tetra | Nano | Safe | Some risk | UKAPS forum |
| Harlequin rasbora | 4–5 cm | Safe | Eats them | Gensou |
| Pea puffer | 2.5 cm | Not safe | Not safe | Gensou |
Nitrate for fish
Community fish are safe below 40 ppm; long stretches above that stunt growth and fade color. Breeding tanks want under 10. Gensou
Cover
Dense plants and moss are what keep a shrimp colony ahead of fish predation. Gensou