Plecos are amazing fishes to have, but there is a lot of confusion and misconceptions about this fish. Are you wondering if your precious Plecos can share their habitat with shrimps?
Plecos can not live with shrimp. However, if the aquarium has enough hiding spaces where shrimps can hide, then Yes! Plecos and shrimps can peacefully coexist in the same tank, but it’s not recommended.
In this article, I will discuss some of the key things to keep in mind when you have these two species living together in the same aquarium.
Are Plecos and Shrimp Compatible?
I have kept both shrimps and big size plecos and trust me you don’t want to keep plecos with shrimps in the same tank.
Plecos and shrimps are not usually compatible as plecos are omnivores and will eat shrimps if they get too big. However, there are more than one hundred species of plecos, and every fish has a different personality.
That’s why there is no definitive answer, but it is generally recommended by most aquarists that Plecos and Shrimp should not be kept in the same aquarium.
While they are both omnivorous fish, Plecos are generally more aggressive and are known to eat small shrimp.
If you decide to keep them together, it is important to keep an eye on the food and water levels and make sure there is enough space for both fish.
Moreover, it is also important to make sure that the Pleco does not nip at the shrimp. If the shrimp feels threatened, it can retreat to a safe location, and the Pleco will not be able to get to it.
So, while a few species of plecos and shrimp can be compatible, it is important to keep an eye on their interactions and make sure they are both comfortable and safe.
How to Keep Plecos & Shrimp Together?
In order to keep different species of fish, you have to carefully determine and maintain water pH level, temperature, your tank size, etc.
If you are intending to add shrimp to your aquarium where you have Plecos, you can follow the steps given below:
1. Make sure Plecos Have Enough Space
You have to make sure that the Plecos have enough space to swim around without being disturbed by the shrimp.
If there is not enough space for the Plecos, the shrimp may get harassed and eventually killed. Plecos require plenty of swimming space to digest food and evade predators.
2. Choose a Compatible pH level
The Plecos and shrimp should have a compatible pH level. If the pH level is too high for the shrimp, it may damage their exoskeletons. If the pH level is too low, the Plecos may not be able to digest food and they may die.
| # | pH Level |
| Bristlenose Pleco | 5.8 to 7.8 |
| Shrimp | 6.5 to 8.0 |
3. Choose a Compatible Temperature
The Plecos and shrimp should have a compatible temperature. If the temperature is too high for the Plecos, they may die. If the temperature is too low, the shrimp may not be able to survive.
| # | Compatible Temperature |
| Bristlenose Pleco | 77-81°F (25-27°C) |
| Shrimp | 73-80°F (23-27°C) |
4. Make Sure Your Tank is Big Enough
Your tank should be big enough to accommodate both the Plecos and the shrimp. If the tank is not big enough, the shrimp may get harassed and eventually killed by the Plecos.
| # | Compatible Tank Size |
| Bristlenose Pleco | 20 gallons or larger |
| Shrimp | 3 – 5 gallons |
As you can see, shrimps don’t require larger tanks, but bristolenose plecos do; so, you should get at least a 20 gallon tank to keep them peacefully.
5. Introduce The Plecos and Shrimp Gradually
You have to introduce the Plecos and shrimp gradually. If you introduce them all at once, the shrimp may get harassed and eventually killed by the Plecos.
6. Provide a Food Source
The Plecos and shrimp should be provided with a food source. If they are not, they may die. If Plecos are in the tank with shrimp, make sure the Pleco does not eat the shrimp.
7. Add Adequate Hiding Spaces
To keep shrimps and plecos together, you should add adequate hiding spots to your aquarium; depending on the type of pleco you have, if it gets bigger, it can easily cause harm to the shrimps.
So, hiding spaces would be beneficial for shrimps, as if they get scared, they can hide when needed.
8. Keep An Eye On The Shrimp:
You have to keep an eye on the shrimp to make sure they are not getting into trouble. If they are getting into trouble, you have to take action.
Recommended Article: Can Two Plecos Live Together?
As a side note, I have kept cherry shrimps with angelfish in the same tank for a while, to know what happened, read my recent article.
Pros and Cons of Keeping Plecos and Shrimps together:
Pros:
1. Shrimp and Pleco can work together to improve the biodiversity of your tank.
2. Plecos can help to clean the shrimp tank.
3. Eat similar foods, so you won’t have to give separate foods.
4. Plecos can help to keep the shrimp tank clean.
5. They both are low-maintenance fish.
6. Some species of plecos are very peaceful.
Cons:
1. Plecos and shrimp may get into trouble if they are not supervised.
2. They may not get along.
Some Useful Tips To Take Care of Plecos and Shrimps:
1. Keep plecos and shrimp in separate tanks if possible.
2. Feed them separately.
3. Provide plenty of hiding places
4. Do not overfeed them
5. Do not introduce new fish into the tank until they have been introduced and have had time to get to know each other.
I think Otocinclus catfish can be a better tankmate for shrimps than plecos. To know why, check out my article on, Otocinclus Vs. Pleco: Which One is Better?
Can the Plecos Live With Cherry Shrimp?
Plecos and cherry shrimps have a compatible pH, temperature, and tank size; they can peacefully live together as long as the pleco is not too large or aggressive.
However, if you have introduced common Plecos and cherry shrimp together, there will be some degree of risk that the plecos will grow larger and might start to devour cherry shrimps.
Plecos are generally peaceful, but if they feel threatened they will try to attack the shrimp.
If you have a large tank with more than one pleco, you have to make sure that you take action if one of them is harassing or killing the shrimp. You can use a net to take the Pleco out of the tank and put it in a separate tank.
You can also use a net to remove the shrimp from the tank and put it in a separate tank. You should take caution and be careful when removing the shrimp from the tank as they may bite you.
What Can Live With a Pleco?
As Plecostomus are omnivorous bottom-feeders, you can safely house them with fishes that are similar in size or a little smaller than them.
The fishes that are compatible with Plecos are cichlids, angelfish, barbs, bettas, other catfish species, gouramis, guppies, hatchets, loaches, mollies, and platies.
The top-feeders that are compatible with plecos are swordtails, goldfish, koi, pike, kribs, lancets, and sarracenias.
You should make sure that the fish that you intend to keep with Plecos are compatible with them. If you keep a big Pleco with smaller fish, it will not have enough room to swim.
Do Common Plecos Eat Ghost Shrimp?
Plecos are not known to eat ghost shrimp. However, you can feed the ghost shrimp to the Plecos.
Will Plecos Eat Small Shrimp?
Plecos are omnivorous and are known to eat small shrimp. If you decide to keep a Pleco and shrimp together, it is important to make sure that the shrimp does not feel threatened by the Pleco.
If the shrimp feels threatened, it can retreat to a safe location, and the Pleco will not be able to get to it.
Does Bristlenose Pleco Eat Baby Shrimp?
Bristlenose pleco might eat baby shrimp as they are omnivorous. Moreover, any fish can eat the baby shrimps, thinking of them as food.
So, you should keep the baby shrimp separate until they are large enough to stay in the same tank with plecos.
Can Clown Plecos Live With Shrimp?
As most clown plecos are not aggressive and don’t get too big, they can live with different types of shrimps in the same tank.
But make sure that they have enough space and the water parameters are compatible. If there is not enough space for the clown plecos, the shrimp may get harassed and eventually killed.
Related Questions
Can You Keep Amano Shrimp With Pleco?
It is recommended that you do not keep the shrimp and Plecos together. If you decide to keep them together, you have to make sure that the water parameters are compatible for both creatures.
Moreover, you have to make sure that the shrimp does not feel threatened by the Plecos. If the Plecos are too big and aggressive, they may harass and eventually kill the shrimp.
Will Plecos Eat Shrimp Eggs?
No, plecos are not known to eat shrimp eggs. However, you can feed shrimp eggs to the Plecos.
Can Shrimp Eat Pleco Wafers?
It is recommended that you do not feed shrimp to a Pleco. However, you can feed the Plecos to the shrimp.
Can Cherry Shrimp Live With Bristlenose Pleco?
No, they are not compatible. If you decide to keep them together, it is important to make sure that the water parameters are compatible for both creatures.
If you decide to keep them together, you have to make sure that the shrimp does not feel threatened by the Pleco.
If the shrimp feels threatened, it can retreat to a safe location, and the Pleco will not be able to get to it.
Final Thoughts
The Plecos and Shrimps can live together if the tank is large enough with adequate hiding spaces and the water parameters are compatible.
If the tank is too small, the shrimp may get harassed and eventually killed. If the tank is too large, the Plecos may feel threatened by the shrimp and may harass it.
It is also important to make sure that the shrimp does not feel threatened by the Pleco. If the shrimp feels threatened, it can retreat to a safe location and the Pleco will not be able to get to it.
Share your thoughts about Plecos and Shrimps in the comments below. If you have any questions about keeping Plecos and Shrimps together, do let us know in the comments below. We will try our best to help you out.
Thanks for reading! If you have a minute, check out my recent article on, Do Plecos Eat Fish Poop? Here’s The Truth
