Goldfish with shrimp
Every goldfish, from a single-tail comet to a bubble-eye, is the same species, Carassius auratus (Aqueon). They are hardy, cool-water fish that can live 20 years or more (Aqueon), and because both goldfish and cherry shrimp do well without a heater, people often wonder whether shrimp can go in the goldfish tank to clean up leftovers. The sources we checked say no.
Goldfish at a glance
| Goldfish | Cherry shrimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult size | Up to 25 cm (10 in) in aquariums (OATA); commons and comets about 30 cm (12 in) (SPCA NZ) | About 1 in |
| Temperature | Fancy 68–74 °F, comets and shubunkins 60–70 °F (Aqueon); Aquarium Co-Op says 50–70 °F | 65–80 °F (The Shrimp Farm) |
| pH | 7.0–8.4 (Aqueon); OATA gives 6.0–8.0 | 6.8–8.0 (The Shrimp Farm) |
| Diet | Omnivore; wild diet largely crustaceans, insects and plants (Aqueon) | Biofilm, algae, leftovers |
| Tank | 20 gal for a first fancy goldfish plus 10 gal for each extra (Aquarium Co-Op); about 20 gal per common or comet (Aqueon) | 5 gal or more for a small colony |
Will goldfish eat shrimp?
Yes, eventually. Practical Fishkeeping's rule is that fish eat what fits in their mouths, and a goldfish grows far larger than any dwarf shrimp. Babies and newly molted shrimp go first. Practical Fishkeeping adds that even when shrimp survive, they hide and breed less with predators around. Small goldfish sold at a couple of inches may ignore adult shrimp for a while, but they grow; OATA says goldfish can reach 25 cm in aquariums. Slow fancy varieties are not a safe exception in our reading: they forage constantly along the bottom, where shrimp live.
Where the water overlaps, and where it doesn't
- Temperature overlaps. Fancy goldfish at 68–74 °F (Aqueon) sit inside the cherry shrimp range of 65–80 °F (The Shrimp Farm). SRAC gives 65–75 °F as optimal for goldfish. Temperature isn't the problem; see shrimp tank temperature.
- pH overlaps at roughly 7.0–8.0 (Aqueon, The Shrimp Farm).
- Waste doesn't. Aqueon and Aquarium Co-Op both describe goldfish as heavy eaters that make a lot of waste, so goldfish tanks need big filters and big water changes. Practical Fishkeeping warns that the large, frequent water changes some fish need can trigger premature molts in shrimp. See ammonia and nitrite in a shrimp tank.
- Salt doesn't. Aqueon's goldfish guide suggests 1 tablespoon of aquarium salt per 5 gallons. Don't do that in a tank with shrimp; see is aquarium salt safe for shrimp.
Plants and hiding places
Dense moss and stem plants are what let shrimplets survive with small fish. Aqueon says goldfish eat many live plants, with tougher plants such as crypts, java fern and anubias more likely to last, so the cover that might protect shrimp tends to disappear in a goldfish tank.
What about Amano or ghost shrimp?
Amano shrimp reach roughly 1.5 to 2 in and ghost shrimp 1 to 1.5 in, larger than cherry shrimp, but both are still bite-sized for an adult goldfish. Practical Fishkeeping's list doesn't make exceptions for bigger shrimp. In our reading a larger shrimp only buys time. See Amano shrimp care and ghost shrimp care.
Goldfish ponds and shrimp
Aquarium Co-Op says goldfish can live outdoors year-round in ponds in mild climates, and OATA and SPCA NZ recommend ponds for single-tail goldfish because of their size. The same predation applies outdoors: in our reading, shrimp added to a goldfish pond are food.
Better choices
- Keep them in separate tanks. A small shrimp-only tank is the simplest way to keep both.
- Want cool-water fish with shrimp? Try white cloud minnows with shrimp or medaka with shrimp, which are small and also do well unheated.
- Want a cleanup crew for the goldfish tank? In our reading, large snails hold up better than shrimp; see nerite and mystery snails for the species. Goldfish may still pick at small snails (our reading).
- Browse the full list in cherry shrimp tank mates.
Common mistakes
- Choosing goldfish because both like cool water. Temperature overlaps; size and diet don't.
- Adding shrimp as a cleanup crew. Aqueon notes goldfish eat crustaceans in the wild, so the "cleaners" become the meal.
- Salting a shared tank. Salt suggested for goldfish is not suitable for shrimp.
- Using fish medications. Practical Fishkeeping says many fish medicines are not invertebrate-safe. Treat fish in a separate tank, and ask a fish veterinarian if you're unsure. See is copper toxic to shrimp.
Track it
If you keep shrimp and goldfish in separate tanks, log each tank's temperature, pH, GH and TDS on the free Water Parameter Log printable.
Frequently asked questions
Can goldfish live with cherry shrimp?
Not safely. Practical Fishkeeping lists goldfish among fish that don't belong with shrimp, and goldfish grow far larger than cherry shrimp. We rate goldfish a high risk.
Will goldfish eat Amano shrimp?
Probably, once the goldfish is large enough. Amanos reach about 2 inches, which in our reading is still bite-sized for an adult goldfish.
Can fancy goldfish live with shrimp?
Fancy goldfish are slower, but they still forage on the bottom and grow large. Practical Fishkeeping makes no exception for them. Keep shrimp separate.
Do goldfish and cherry shrimp like the same temperature?
Roughly. Aqueon gives 68 to 74 °F for fancy goldfish and The Shrimp Farm 65 to 80 °F for cherry shrimp. The problem is size and diet, not temperature.
Can I put aquarium salt in a tank with shrimp?
No. Aqueon suggests salt for goldfish, but it is not a good fit for shrimp; keep the species in separate tanks.
What cool-water fish can live with shrimp?
White cloud minnows and medaka are small, unheated-tank fish that are often kept with shrimp, though they may eat some shrimplets.
Sources: Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp?; Aqueon, Goldfish care guide; Aquarium Co-Op, Care guide for fancy goldfish; OATA, How to look after goldfish in an aquarium; SPCA New Zealand, Caring for goldfish; SRAC Publication 7201, Species Profile: Koi and Goldfish; The Shrimp Farm, Red rili shrimp tank set-up and care. Summarized in our own words.