Rhinogobius gobies with shrimp

By the Shrimp Tank Hub editorsUpdated Oct 28, 2026Research-based

Rhinogobius is a large genus of small stream gobies from East and Southeast Asia (Seriously Fish). Species seen in stores include Zhou's scarlet goby, R. zhoui, from a handful of streams in Guangdong, China, sold as Chinese vermilion goby, scarlet goby or flame goby; the white-cheeked goby, R. duospilus, from Hong Kong and southern China, once sold as 'R. wui'; the Chiangmai stream goby, R. chiengmaiensis; and the larger R. giurinus (Seriously Fish). They live on rocks in clear, flowing, well-oxygenated hill streams, and Seriously Fish says several species are hard to identify.

Rhinogobius at a glance

Will Rhinogobius gobies eat shrimp?

• Shrimplets: yes. They are exactly the small crustaceans Seriously Fish says these gobies hunt.
• Adult shrimp: often. Seriously Fish's profiles say Caridina and Neocaridina shrimp are usually preyed on, without limiting that to babies, and R. giurinus is big enough to eat small earthworms. Smaller species like R. zhoui may take fewer adults, but we wouldn't count on it.
• Molting shrimp: soft and slow, so they're the easiest targets (our reading).

Practical Fishkeeping says many fish are natural predators of shrimp and that eggs and shrimplets are high risk. Compare pea puffers with shrimp and bumblebee gobies with shrimp, or see the full cherry shrimp tank mates list.

The water matches, which is the trap

Seriously Fish lists 66–75 °F, pH 7.0–7.8 and 5–12 dGH for R. zhoui, and 64–75 °F, pH 6.5–8.5 and 2–20 dGH for R. giurinus. The Shrimp Farm lists 65–80 °F, pH 6.8–8.0, GH 4–8 and KH 2–5 for cherry-type shrimp. By our comparison, the overlap is wide: about 66–75 °F, pH 7.0–7.8 and GH 5–8. Unheated tanks and clean, cool, oxygen-rich water suit both. That's why these gobies get suggested for shrimp tanks, but water compatibility doesn't stop a predator from hunting.

Flow, oxygen and clean water

• Strong flow and oxygen: Seriously Fish rates them as fast-water fish that need lots of dissolved oxygen and some water movement, from power filters, powerheads or airstones.
• Spotless water: Seriously Fish says they don't tolerate organic pollution and recommends weekly 30–50% water changes.
• Rocky layout: sand, gravel and smooth rocks with lots of caves and broken sight lines; hardy plants such as Microsorum, Bolbitis and Anubias on the decor (Seriously Fish, Aquadiction).

Group make-up and behavior

Seriously Fish says male R. zhoui and R. duospilus are territorial with each other, but serious damage is unlikely with enough cover, and the fish seem to need company: buy at least two males and as many or more females. Aquadiction suggests two females per male for R. zhoui. R. giurinus is different: Seriously Fish says newly imported wild fish can fight to the death, so keep sexed pairs. Don't mix Rhinogobius species, because it isn't known whether they hybridize (Seriously Fish, Aquadiction).

Feeding

Seriously Fish says the bulk of the diet should be small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, mosquito larvae, Artemia, Daphnia and Mysis, with dried foods only occasionally. Aquadiction lists insect larvae, crustaceans and zooplankton. A shrimp colony is a live crustacean buffet to these fish (our reading).

If you want both

• Use two tanks, or a species tank for the gobies as Seriously Fish recommends in most cases. This is our recommendation.
• Want a stream goby with shrimp? Stiphodon gobies graze algae and leave shrimp alone; Seriously Fish even lists them as good companions for Rhinogobius. See Stiphodon gobies with shrimp.
• Cool, fast-water companions: Seriously Fish and Aquadiction suggest white cloud minnows (Tanichthys) and hillstream loaches as goby tankmates; see white cloud minnows with shrimp and hillstream loaches with shrimp.

If you try it anyway

• Choose the smallest species, such as R. zhoui, never R. giurinus (our reading of Seriously Fish's sizes).
• Accept losses. Practical Fishkeeping says to let the shrimp colony build up first, with lots of hiding places and well-fed fish, to reduce losses.
• Dense cover. See java moss for shrimp and baby shrimp care.
• Acclimate slowly. See how to drip acclimate.
• Quarantine the fish separately. Practical Fishkeeping says many fish medications are not safe for invertebrates. If fish get sick, ask a fish veterinarian or an experienced store about treatment that won't harm the shrimp. See how to quarantine and is copper toxic to shrimp.

Common mistakes

• Assuming matching water means a matching tank mate.
• Confusing Rhinogobius with Stiphodon; both are sold as gobies, but only Stiphodon is a grazer.
• Keeping a single goby; Seriously Fish says R. zhoui can become listless without company.
• Mixing Rhinogobius species (Seriously Fish, Aquadiction).

Track it

Log temperature, pH, GH and TDS on the free Water Parameter Log printable so you can keep the tank in the range both species share.

Frequently asked questions

Will Rhinogobius gobies eat cherry shrimp?

Usually. Seriously Fish says Caridina and Neocaridina shrimp are usually preyed on by Rhinogobius, and Aquadiction says not to keep Zhou's scarlet goby with small ornamental shrimp. We rate them a high risk.

Is Zhou's scarlet goby shrimp safe?

No. Seriously Fish says shrimp are usually preyed on and less suitable tank mates for R. zhoui, and Aquadiction says shrimp may become prey.

What water do Rhinogobius gobies need?

Cool, clean, well-oxygenated, flowing water. Seriously Fish lists 66 to 75 °F, pH 7.0 to 7.8 and 5 to 12 dGH for R. zhoui.

Do Rhinogobius gobies need a heater?

Often not in a room-temperature home; Seriously Fish lists 19–24 °C (66–75 °F) for R. zhoui and 15–25 °C for R. duospilus. Check your room's range with a thermometer.

What is the difference between Rhinogobius and Stiphodon gobies?

Rhinogobius hunt small invertebrates, including shrimp (Seriously Fish). Stiphodon graze algae and biofilm and are kept with Caridina and Neocaridina shrimp (Seriously Fish, Aquarium Co-Op).

How many Rhinogobius should I keep?

For R. zhoui and R. duospilus, at least two males and as many or more females (Seriously Fish). R. giurinus is best kept in sexed pairs.

Sources: Seriously Fish, Rhinogobius zhoui (Zhou's scarlet goby) (Guangdong, China; sold as Chinese vermilion, scarlet or flame goby; 36 mm SL; base 60 × 30 cm, about 14 US gal; 19–24 °C, pH 7.0–7.8, 5–12 dGH; fast-flowing, oxygen-rich, spotless water with 30–50% weekly changes; small live and frozen foods; Caridina and Neocaridina shrimp usually predated; species set-up; don't mix Rhinogobius; two or more males with as many females); Seriously Fish, Rhinogobius duospilus (white-cheeked goby) (Hong Kong and southern China, formerly sold as R. wui; 50 mm SL; 15–25 °C, pH 6.0–7.5; freshwater shrimp likely to be eaten and best avoided); Seriously Fish, Rhinogobius giurinus (90 mm SL; 18–24 °C, pH 6.5–8.5, 2–20 dGH; Rhinogobius are opportunistic carnivores of small invertebrates and crustaceans; can eat small earthworms; shrimp usually predated; sexed pairs; males may fight to the death); Seriously Fish, Rhinogobius chiengmaiensis (50 mm SL; Stiphodon and other stream gobies make good companions; Caridina and Neocaridina likely to be predated); Aquadiction, Zhou's scarlet goby (about 5 cm; 64–77 °F, pH 7.0–8.0; don't keep with small ornamental shrimp; two females per male; white clouds and hillstream loaches as companions; don't mix Rhinogobius); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (many fish are natural shrimp predators; eggs and shrimplets high risk; let the colony build up; medications not invertebrate-safe); The Shrimp Farm, Red rili shrimp tank set-up and care (cherry-type range 65–80 °F, pH 6.8–8.0, GH 4–8, KH 2–5).