Owning a fish is a major responsibility. It’s crucial for owners to think about everything from dietary requirements to housing. If you own neon tetras, you may wonder whether they can live serenely alongside cherry shrimp. Will neon tetras eat cherry shrimp? Thankfully, the answer to that question is usually no.
Should You Allow Neon Tetras and Cherry Shrimp to Live Together?
Neon tetras can and do live with cherry shrimp. Neon tetras luckily are fish that are pleasant and gentle in nature. That’s precisely the reason they won’t endanger the well-being of your beloved cherry shrimp. These tetras are on the small side. Their mouths are on the small side as well.
These two types of creatures make compatible tank mates for yet another reason. Their lifestyle requirements have a lot in common. That makes it a piece of cake for owners to put together tanks that accommodate both the shrimp and the tetras nicely. Cherry shrimp and neon tetras are pretty close in temperament. Their water requirements are rather close, too. This can come in handy for owners who do not want to have to deal with all of the hassles of extensive water changes and tweaks.
If you’re looking for other suitable companions for your neon tetras, you may enjoy reading this article – Best Tank Mates for Neon Tetras
Neon Tetras and Cherry Shrimp Fry
Although it’s definitely okay to allow neon tetras and mature cherry shrimp to live together in a single tank, you may want to think twice about another scenario. Neon tetras and cherry shrimp fry aren’t the finest combination. That’s due to the fact that the fish are in many cases more than enthusiastic about gobbling up baby cherry shrimp. If you’re planning on going forward with cherry shrimp breeding, then you should say no to allowing the youngsters to live with neon tetras.
Neon Tetra and Cherry Shrimp Living Quarters
If you want to boost your odds of neon tetra and cherry shrimp success, you should take the time to put together a tank that covers all of the bases well. It’s important to do everything you can to ensure that things go off without a hitch.
Plants are a big deal in the universe of aquariums. Plants are visually appealing, first of all. Beyond that, they can accomplish so much for pet wellness. They encourage immaculate and highly pleasant water conditions that are conducive to optimal health.
Neon tetras and cherry shrimp alike are more than keen on an abundance of greenery inside of their tanks. Remember, plants that are authentic are undoubtedly superior. If you’re unable to take the natural plant route, however, that’s totally okay as well. You can go for plastic options with full confidence, too.
What can live plants accomplish for these tetras and shrimp? They can give these creatures access to cozy, calming shelter that can safeguard them from persistent and intense sunlight. They can boost oxygenation considerably. They can provide tetras and shrimp with hiding spots that can make them feel secure in the midst of anxiety-inducing situations with others. Live plants can even function as filtration systems for these pets.
It’s beneficial to select the right types of plants for neon tetras and cherry shrimp. They adore java moss on the ground in their tanks. They equally adore seeing high plants scattered all throughout their living quarters, too. Make a point to present them with variety if at all possible.
Again, cherry shrimp love having abundant hiding spots inside of their tanks. These spots can offer safety. If you want to present your cherry shrimp with tank sanctuaries, hiding places are the way to go. Look for decorative rocks and tunnels that shrimp can access easily. Natural choices can work like a charm as well. Try your hand at driftwood.
Neon tetras can’t get enough of investigating their surroundings. That’s why they respond well to tanks that are chock-full of appropriate decorations. Take the time to present these tetras with decorative elements that enable them to be all by themselves any time the need strikes. This can achieve so much for neon tetra wellness.
As indicated previously, neon tetras and cherry shrimp have a lot in common in the water needs department. If you own neon tetras and cherry shrimp, you should do your best to emulate a tropical setting. Strive to attain and maintain temperatures that are anywhere from 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, pH values that are appropriate for the two species are anywhere from 6.8 to 7.8.
After you get water and temperature components ready to go, you should concentrate primarily on maintaining consistent and predictable parameters. These creatures easily detect all sorts of changes. Neon tetras are particularly vulnerable to changes and all of their effects.
Make a point to make routine upkeep a priority. You should routinely change out some of the water in the tank for both pets. Doing so can protect them from potentially hazardous particles.
(While you’re here, you might like this article that gives more information about caring for neon tetras)
Other Appropriate Tank Mate Options for Cherry Shrimp
Neon tetras are in no way, shape or form the only creatures that make appropriate tank mates for cherry shrimp. Some examples of creatures that often live harmoniously alongside cherry shrimp are:
- Fancy guppies
- Cardinal tetras
- Rasboras (small)
- Otocinclus
- Nerite snails
- Mystery snails
- African dwarf frogs
- Plecostomus
- Pygmy cory catfish
- Dwarf gouramis
The Value of a Pleasant Living Environment
Again, neon tetras are in no sense dangerous fish. They typically do not eat cherry shrimp that are adults. Despite that, it’s important to note that neon tetras that feel frustrated may exhibit some aggressive actions. What kinds of things can make a neon tetra feel frustrated and out of sorts? Examples of these things are inadequate tank space, bullying, problematic water and, last but definitely not least, tank mates that just aren’t the right fit for them for any reason. If you want to keep all of your pets content and safe, you have to pay close attention to their living situations no matter what. Excessively small and cramped tanks can pose many problems for occupants.
So, Will Neon Tetras Eat Cherry Shrimp?
It’s unlikely. If your neon tetras are unhappy due to poor living conditions, for example, they may exhibit aggressive behavior towards any and all of their tank mates, but a well-run tank containing both cherry shrimp and neon tetras should be just fine. Cherry Shrimp fry, however, are more of a risk. Neon tetras like most fish will try to eat anything they can catch that will fit in their mouths! [Source]
If you take the time and effort to care for your tank, keep cherry shrimp fry away from the neon tetras you should have a very happy tank!
