Crystal Red Shrimp Tank Mates

Crystal Red Shrimp is peaceful, so its tank mates need choosing with care. Here are the 37 freshwater species that pair well with a crystal red shrimp — plus the 90 to avoid — with a live checker you can tune to your own tank.

By The Aquarium DB Team • Updated June 7, 2026 • Full Crystal Red Shrimp care guide →
Best matches

The best tank mates for a crystal red shrimp

  • Ember Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Neon Green Rasbora ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Dawn Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2.5 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Glowlight Danio ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Gold Ring Danio ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 20–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Neon Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 20–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Tail-spot Corydoras ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Trinidad Guppy ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 19–24 °C (66–75 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 20–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Pygmy Corydoras ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3.2 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Glowlight Rasbora ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3.5 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Celestial Pearl Danio ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Chili Rasbora ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Exclamation Point Rasbora ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Ruby Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Scarlet Badis ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 2 cm · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
    Peaceful + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Strawberry Rasbora ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Dwarf Spotted Rasbora ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 2.5 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Neon Blue Rasbora ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 2.5 cm · 23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Pea Puffer ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 2.5 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Lambchop Rasbora ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Blackwing Hatchetfish ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 3.5 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Clown Killifish ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 3.5 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Eyespot Rasbora ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 3.5 cm · 20–25 °C (68–77 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Northern Glowlight Danio ✅ Compatible
    Medium care · Peaceful · 3.5 cm · 18–24 °C (64–75 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
With caution

Crystal Red Shrimp tank mates that can work with care

  • Adolf's Cory ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Peaceful · 5.5 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Adolf's Cory may eat Crystal Red Shrimp or pick off its shrimplets — a densely planted tank with moss gives them a fighting chance.
  • African Butterfly Cichlid ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 8 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    African Butterfly Cichlid may eat Crystal Red Shrimp or pick off its shrimplets — a densely planted tank with moss gives them a fighting chance.
  • African Dwarf Frog ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Adult Crystal Red Shrimp might survive with African Dwarf Frog, but expect the young to be eaten — plant heavily.
  • Agassiz's Corydoras ⚠️ With caution
    Easy care · Peaceful · 6 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Agassiz's Corydoras may eat Crystal Red Shrimp or pick off its shrimplets — a densely planted tank with moss gives them a fighting chance.
  • Altifrons Geophagus ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 25 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Adult Crystal Red Shrimp might survive with Altifrons Geophagus, but expect the young to be eaten — plant heavily.
  • Amano Shrimp ⚠️ With caution
    Easy care · Peaceful · 5 cm · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
    Water hardness preferences differ (Crystal Red Shrimp 2–5 vs Amano Shrimp 6–15 dGH).
  • Amapá Tetra ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
    Amapá Tetra may eat Crystal Red Shrimp or pick off its shrimplets — a densely planted tank with moss gives them a fighting chance.
  • Angelfish ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 15 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    Angelfish may eat Crystal Red Shrimp or pick off its shrimplets — a densely planted tank with moss gives them a fighting chance.

+ 205 more “with caution” pairings — see the interactive checker above.

Avoid

Fish to avoid keeping with a crystal red shrimp

  • Wels Catfish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 300 cm · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
    Wels Catfish will hunt and eat Crystal Red Shrimp — keep shrimp only with small, peaceful, non-predatory fish.
  • Alligator Gar ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 250 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Alligator Gar will hunt and eat Crystal Red Shrimp — keep shrimp only with small, peaceful, non-predatory fish.
  • Redtail Catfish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 120 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
    Redtail Catfish will hunt and eat Crystal Red Shrimp — keep shrimp only with small, peaceful, non-predatory fish.
  • Fire Eel ⛔ Avoid
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 100 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Fire Eel will hunt and eat Crystal Red Shrimp — keep shrimp only with small, peaceful, non-predatory fish.
  • Clown Knifefish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 90 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Clown Knifefish will hunt and eat Crystal Red Shrimp — keep shrimp only with small, peaceful, non-predatory fish.
  • Spotted Gar ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 90 cm · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    Spotted Gar will hunt and eat Crystal Red Shrimp — keep shrimp only with small, peaceful, non-predatory fish.
  • Wolf Cichlid ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 72 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    Wolf Cichlid will hunt and eat Crystal Red Shrimp — keep shrimp only with small, peaceful, non-predatory fish.
  • Nile Bichir ⛔ Avoid
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 70 cm · 25–28 °C (77–82 °F)
    Temperature needs don't overlap (Crystal Red Shrimp 20–24 °C vs Nile Bichir 25–28 °C).

+ 82 more to avoid — the checker above flags every one.

Interactive tool

Check any fish against a crystal red shrimp

Dial in your exact tank size and filter by result — the checker scores every species in our database against a crystal red shrimp, with the reasoning for each verdict.

Tank-mate checker

Will it live with a Crystal Red Shrimp?

We compare each fish against your crystal red shrimp on temperament, size, water parameters and swimming zone. Set your tank size and filter the results.

  • Blackwing Hatchetfish✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3.5 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Blackwing Hatchetfish in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Celestial Pearl Danio✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Celestial Pearl Danio in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Chili Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Chili Rasbora in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Clown Killifish✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3.5 cm · Medium care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Clown Killifish in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Dawn Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2.5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Dawn Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Dwarf Spotted Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2.5 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Dwarf Spotted Rasbora in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Ember Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Easy care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Exclamation Point Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Exclamation Point Rasbora in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Glowlight Danio✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Glowlight Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Gold Ring Danio✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 20–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Gold Ring Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Green Neon Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2.5 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Green Neon Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Hummingbird Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 1.8 cm · Hard care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Lambchop Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Lambchop Rasbora in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Neon Blue Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2.5 cm · Medium care · 23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Neon Blue Rasbora in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Neon Green Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Neon Green Rasbora in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Neon Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 20–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Neon Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Pea Puffer✅ Compatible
    Semi-aggressive · 2.5 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Pygmy Corydoras✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3.2 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Pygmy Corydoras in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Ruby Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Ruby Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Scarlet Badis✅ Compatible
    Semi-aggressive · 2 cm · Medium care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
    • Peaceful + Semi-aggressive, but with no direct clash here; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Strawberry Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Strawberry Rasbora in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Tail-spot Corydoras✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Tail-spot Corydoras in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Tiger Shrimp✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Hard care · 20–25 °C (68–77 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 20–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Both favour the bottom of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Tiger Shrimp in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Trinidad Guppy✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 19–24 °C (66–75 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 20–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • African Dwarf Frog⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Medium care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Adult Crystal Red Shrimp might survive with African Dwarf Frog, but expect the young to be eaten — plant heavily.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Amapá Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Medium care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
    • Amapá Tetra may eat Crystal Red Shrimp or pick off its shrimplets — a densely planted tank with moss gives them a fighting chance.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Amapá Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Assassin Snail⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • One likes softer water and the other harder (2–5 vs 8–20 dGH) — a compromise, not a perfect match.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Black Darter Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 4 cm · Hard care · 21–28 °C (70–82 °F)
    • Black Darter Tetra may eat Crystal Red Shrimp or pick off its shrimplets — a densely planted tank with moss gives them a fighting chance.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Blue Danio⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Easy care · 21–26 °C (70–79 °F)
    • Adult Crystal Red Shrimp might survive with Blue Danio, but expect the young to be eaten — plant heavily.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Blue Danio in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Blue Emperor Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Medium care · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
    • Adult Crystal Red Shrimp might survive with Blue Emperor Tetra, but expect the young to be eaten — plant heavily.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Blue Emperor Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Cardinal Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Medium care · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
    • Cardinal Tetra may eat Crystal Red Shrimp or pick off its shrimplets — a densely planted tank with moss gives them a fighting chance.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Cardinal Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Cherry Shrimp⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
    • One likes softer water and the other harder (2–5 vs 6–15 dGH) — a compromise, not a perfect match.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Cherry Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Emerald Dwarf Danio⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 20–24 °C (68–75 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Crystal Red Shrimp 6–6.8 vs Emerald Dwarf Danio 7–8) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Emperor Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Easy care · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
    • Emperor Tetra may eat Crystal Red Shrimp or pick off its shrimplets — a densely planted tank with moss gives them a fighting chance.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Emperor Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Endler's Livebearer⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Crystal Red Shrimp 6–6.8 vs Endler's Livebearer 7–8.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • One likes softer water and the other harder (2–5 vs 10–25 dGH) — a compromise, not a perfect match.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Endler's Livebearer in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Flame Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 4 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Adult Crystal Red Shrimp might survive with Flame Tetra, but expect the young to be eaten — plant heavily.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Flame Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Malaysian Trumpet Snail⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 21–27 °C (70–81 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Crystal Red Shrimp 6–6.8 vs Malaysian Trumpet Snail 7–8) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • One likes softer water and the other harder (2–5 vs 8–18 dGH) — a compromise, not a perfect match.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Nerite Snail⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 2.5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Crystal Red Shrimp 6–6.8 vs Nerite Snail 7–8.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • One likes softer water and the other harder (2–5 vs 8–18 dGH) — a compromise, not a perfect match.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Ramshorn Snail⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Easy care · 20–28 °C (68–82 °F)
    • Different pH ranges (6–6.8 vs 7–8); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Red Lip Nerite Snail⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Crystal Red Shrimp 6–6.8 vs Red Lip Nerite Snail 7–8) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • One likes softer water and the other harder (2–5 vs 6–18 dGH) — a compromise, not a perfect match.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Alligator Gar⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 250 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Alligator Gar will hunt and eat Crystal Red Shrimp — keep shrimp only with small, peaceful, non-predatory fish.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~3785 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Clown Knifefish⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Clown Knifefish will hunt and eat Crystal Red Shrimp — keep shrimp only with small, peaceful, non-predatory fish.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~750 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Fire Eel⛔ Not recommended
    Semi-aggressive · 100 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Fire Eel will hunt and eat Crystal Red Shrimp — keep shrimp only with small, peaceful, non-predatory fish.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Nile Bichir⛔ Not recommended
    Semi-aggressive · 70 cm · Medium care · 25–28 °C (77–82 °F)
    • Temperature needs don't overlap (Crystal Red Shrimp 20–24 °C vs Nile Bichir 25–28 °C).
    • Nile Bichir will hunt and eat Crystal Red Shrimp — keep shrimp only with small, peaceful, non-predatory fish.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~450 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Redtail Catfish⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 120 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
    • Redtail Catfish will hunt and eat Crystal Red Shrimp — keep shrimp only with small, peaceful, non-predatory fish.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~5700 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Spotted Gar⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    • Spotted Gar will hunt and eat Crystal Red Shrimp — keep shrimp only with small, peaceful, non-predatory fish.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~600 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Wels Catfish⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 300 cm · Hard care · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
    • Wels Catfish will hunt and eat Crystal Red Shrimp — keep shrimp only with small, peaceful, non-predatory fish.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~20000 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Wolf Cichlid⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 72 cm · Hard care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    • Wolf Cichlid will hunt and eat Crystal Red Shrimp — keep shrimp only with small, peaceful, non-predatory fish.
    • pH preferences only just meet (Crystal Red Shrimp 6–6.8 vs Wolf Cichlid 7–8) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • One likes softer water and the other harder (2–5 vs 8–20 dGH) — a compromise, not a perfect match.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~760 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.

Compatibility is computed from each species' care data — a strong starting point, not a guarantee. Individual temperament varies, so always introduce new fish slowly and watch them.

Setting up a crystal red shrimp community tank

Give the group a stable, planted 75 L+ tank with a gentle filter, a reliable heater and plenty of cover — broken sight lines and hiding spots let mid-water and bottom dwellers keep out of each other's way. Cycle it fully and stock gradually.

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How to choose

How to choose the right tank mates for a crystal red shrimp

As a peaceful species, crystal red shrimp is easily bullied — favour other calm, non-nippy fish and steer clear of boisterous or aggressive tank mates. It mostly occupies the bottom of the tank, so it pairs naturally with species that use the other levels.

Crystal Red Shrimp grows to about 2.5 cm, so avoid tank mates small enough to be seen as food — as a rule of thumb, skip anything under roughly 2 cm. Match its water, too: aim for 20–24 °C (68–75 °F), pH 6–6.8 and 2–5 dGH. Fish needing very different conditions — coldwater species, or hard-water lovers against a soft-water fish — rarely thrive side by side.

Crystal Red Shrimp is a shoaling fish — stock a group of 10+ of its own kind first, then build compatible tank mates around them. Whatever you add, introduce new fish slowly, watch for bullying in the first days, and have a backup plan if temperaments clash.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can a crystal red shrimp live with other fish?

Yes — with the right companions. Our checker finds 37 compatible freshwater species for crystal red shrimp. Pick calm, similarly-sized fish that share its water needs and add them to a mature, well-planted tank.

What is the best tank mate for a crystal red shrimp?

Easy, peaceful, similarly-sized species top the list — for example Ember Tetra, Neon Green Rasbora, Dawn Tetra. Use the checker above to match against your own tank size.

What fish should you avoid keeping with a crystal red shrimp?

Avoid Wels Catfish, Alligator Gar, Redtail Catfish and similar — usually a temperature, size or temperament clash. The full "avoid" list below gives the reason for each.

How big a tank do crystal red shrimp tank mates need?

Start from Crystal Red Shrimp's own minimum and scale up with every addition. The checker above defaults to a 75 L community tank and flags pairings that need more room — drag the slider to match your setup.

← Back to the full Crystal Red Shrimp care guide