Adding shrimp to your community tank is a great decision. They don’t bother fish and play a crucial role in keeping the aquarium clean by eating leftover food.
But as you think about adding shrimp, you might wonder if they’re good tankmates for your fish.
So, can platies and shrimp live together? Will platies eat your shrimp?
We’ll answer these questions in this article, so let’s dive in.
Can Platies Eat Shrimp?
Platies are omnivorous and can feed on different plant and animal matter.
They might eat shrimp if they live in the same tank.
These fish are usually peaceful, but they view some shrimp species, especially cherry shrimp, as prey.
Platies will feed on the tiny shrimp and harass the adult ones to death, even if they don’t directly eat them.
What Shrimp Can Live With Platies?
Some shrimp species are more successful tankmates for platies.
Although cherry shrimp might not survive in a tank with platies, Amano shrimp can be good tankmates for platies.
Amano shrimp survive in the same water conditions and will thrive in a tank that accommodates platies. They’re larger than cherry shrimp, so they won’t be viewed as prey by these fish.
Moreover, these shrimp have an almost transparent body, so platies won’t be able to see them clearly. As a result, they can safely survive in a tank.
Can Platies and Shrimp Live Together?
Despite being a fantastic addition to your tank, shrimp won’t usually make it in the tank if you keep them with platies.
Platies are friendly towards several freshwater species but won’t always be nice around shrimp.
However, some aquarists can keep platies and shrimp together in the same aquarium by following these tips.
Provide Hiding Places
The main problem shrimp will face in your tank is that platies will view them as easy prey. They don’t move fast and can be easily spotted in the aquarium, so they won’t be able to survive.
Shrimp won’t be able to survive in your tank if you keep platies and other active fish unless you grow too many plants.
Fish will feed on and attack shrimp because they can’t defend themselves. So, you should keep plenty of driftwood, caves, tubes, decorations, and plants to allow these animals to hide.
This way, platies and other fish won’t be able to feed on them.
Choose a Large Tank
Ensure your aquarium is big enough to accommodate your fish and shrimp.
Fish tend to act more aggressively in small and overcrowded tanks. By keeping your fish and shrimp in a large aquarium, they could live in peace.
Platies behave aggressively in an overcrowded tank, so they attack other creatures, including shrimp.
Add Them First
If you plan to add shrimp to your tank, you should add them before adding any fish.
Shrimp will establish their colony, so once you add smaller fish, they won’t attack them. Pick smaller fish because they will be intimidated by the new environment and won’t act aggressively.
If there are fish already in the tank, try adding shrimp at night time. This is when the fish are less active and not looking for food.
Feed Your Fish Regularly
If you feed your fish once daily, they will probably be hungry for the rest of the day. This means they might attack your shrimp once you add them to your tank.
Choosing high-quality food will be an excellent decision because it guarantees that your shrimp won’t be viewed as a snack.
Avoid Breeding Times
Shrimp can attack fish eggs, and breeding fish can become overly aggressive. If you haven’t added any shrimp to your tank, you might want to wait until your fish are no longer breeding.
At the same time, if you add shrimp first, you should wait until they’re no longer breeding. The friendliest fish might still attack baby shrimp and feed on them.
Final Thoughts
Platies are peaceful fish, but shrimp might not be their best tankmates, especially cherry shrimp.
Some species, like Amano shrimp, have a better survival chance in the tank because they’re slightly bigger.
However, if you wish to keep shrimp in the same tank with your fish, you should provide plenty of hiding spots, choose a large tank, add the shrimp first, feed your fish regularly, and avoid adding them at breeding times.
Jeff has always enjoyed having pets, but as a child, he was drawn to his family’s fish tank. Being able to maintain a small ecosystem and observe the behaviors and interactions in the underwater world peaked his interest early on and has kept him hooked until this day. On Avid Aquarist, Jeff shares everything he’s learned about helping aquatic life survive and thrive in a home aquarium.