Fish are omnivorous aquatic predators that will devour anything they can fit in their mouths, from small shrimp and plants to algae blooms and their tank mates. Goldfish tend to be peaceful creatures that cohabit well in an aquarium environment.
Neocaridina shrimp require an appropriate environment in which to flourish, such as a healthy tank with plenty of hiding places like driftwood, Indian almond leaves or caves.
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Amano Shrimp
Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata) are freshwater algae-eating shrimp that can reach over two inches long. Extremely hardy and peaceful in tank environments of all sorts, Amanos won’t bother any of the other fish species present either!
However, Amanos are vulnerable to being eaten by larger goldfish that are looking for snacks. To protect their safety and avoid this happening, keep them in an environment with plenty of plants and hiding spots to reduce predation risk.
Goldfish will find them more difficult to spot; furthermore, Amanos are designed with green coloration so as to blend in seamlessly with other tank inhabitants such as neon tetras, ember tetras and smaller bottom dwellers such as Kuhli loaches.
Ghost Shrimp
Goldfish are opportunistic omnivores and will typically consume whatever fits in their mouth, such as shrimp. While they tend to prey upon smaller fish and invertebrates, as well as plants. Their temperament varies widely and some goldfish may prey less often on shrimp than others.
Ghost Shrimp (neocaridina shrimp) are hardy little creatures that can thrive in any goldfish tank with sufficient hiding spaces and plant cover. They thrive best in tropical community tanks with temperatures between 72-82degF and an ideal aquarium pH level.
Other suitable tank mates for Amano shrimp include small livebearers such as Tetras and Rasboras as well as small Danios. As with all aquarium environments, larger-sized fish that may chase or consume them such as Betta fish, Cichlids and Rainbowfish should be avoided along with fast-swimming ones like Zebra Danios or Silver Tip Tetras that tend to chase and go after shrimp such as Zebra Danios or Silver Tip Tetras; additionally providing plants or hiding places like Driftwood or Lava rock will help assure their safety within their environment.
Bamboo Shrimp
Bamboo shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis) is an impressively large but peaceful species that co-exists well with most other community tank inhabitants. Their captivating pleopods resemble bamboo leaves and serve as small nets to filter microorganisms out of the water to feed on. Bamboo shrimp truly are mesmerizing creatures!
Bamboo shrimp should only ever be housed with fish from the Cichlid family, such as large rainbowfish or gourami, spiny eels and larger loaches that do not represent an immediate danger for themselves – these will likely be consumed quickly!
Smaller goldfish such as Comets and Shubunkins are less likely to attack shrimp as they’re smaller and slower than adult ones. When kept in an optimally stocked tank with plenty of cover, plants, food, and shelter, it is highly unlikely that any will be eaten.
Wood Shrimp
Cherry shrimp form the basis of any aquarium food chain and are eaten by almost every species that can consume them. Their small size makes them easy prey for fish that can nibble away at them.
Shrimp are omnivores that typically outnumber their predators and breed faster than they’re eaten, making them successful survivors in nature. Unfortunately, in a tank environment this process becomes much more challenging, leaving the shrimp vulnerable if given no chance to establish a large population before adding new fish species.
Keep shrimp with goldfish provided that you select an appropriate species. A good option would be a docile, nymph-feeding crayfish such as the Mexican dwarf crayfish (Eugenia microdon). These peaceful animals will ignore shrimp even once fully grown; additionally they thrive in similar water conditions to goldfish. Other viable choices are Amano shrimp and ghost shrimp; providing plenty of hiding spaces and dense plant cover can reduce chances that goldfish might consume the shrimp too soon.
