Is it safe to keep least killifish with shrimp? Aquarists love having different species in the same aquarium for a better aesthetic. But these are very different creatures with distinctive behavior, so many wonder if they can live together in peace. Quick answer: it’s possible, but you have to take into account the size and types of killifish and shrimps. I will elaborate further right now!
Related Articles
- Can We Keep Killifish With Betta? Find The Best Compatible Tank Mates For Killifish
- Keeping Killifish With Guppies: Are They A Good Tank Mate?
Least Killifish Behavior And Characteristics
There are 4 things about least killifish that I want to comment about: their size, lifespan, ideal tank mates, and behavior.
Size
There are tons of different killifish breeds, each has distinct characteristics. The size of the killifish ranges anywhere from 1 to 6 inches in length. As for least killifish, this is one of the smallest breeds that only grow up to 1.2-1.5 inch. It’s impossible or nearly impossible to encounter one bigger than that, even 1.5-inches killies are hard to find.
Lifespan
Least killfish can live around 3 to 4 years, some even reach a 5-year lifespan, though it’s not common. If the living conditions are off, one may survive 1-3 months only.
Tank mates
Killies are quite a peaceful aquarium fish specie. And given that they aren’t big in size, avoid picking aggressive tank mates that are larger than them, like angelfish, swordtails, or bettas. Their environment requirements are different and they belong to different fish families, which will end up in a severe population control situation within the tank.
Behavior
Male killifish are extremely aggressive and territorial. They display territorial behavior not only towards each other but also with other species of fish. Females are much less hostile.
Aquarium Shrimps Behavior
Shrimps are constantly in search of food. If they are really hungry then they will take a break for a while but then, after a resting time, they go back to eating and moving. Some of the most common aquarium shrimps are cherry, ghost, and bamboo shrimps, among other breeds. Cherry shrimps are typically peaceful, but this is not the case for many other types. Ghost and Amano also are good options for a tranquil tank.
Should I Keep Least Killifish With Shrimp?
From my experience and according to the characteristics of these species, I don’t recommend keeping killifish and shrimps together, especially when you have unique aquarium shrimps like cherry, ghost or crystal shrimps that you want to keep alive instead of making them killifish’ food.
Nevertheless, it’s still possible to keep least killfish with shrimps, given that this breed grows up to 1.2 inch only and doesn’t pick a fight with those bigger than them. For breeds like gulf killifish or Gardner’s killi, I don’t recommend keeping them with shrimps since they can grow up to 5-6 inches and are true predators for the crustaceans.
Video: Cherry Shrimp and Least Killifish
FAQs
Where can I find least killifish for sale?
Killifish eggs are hard to get, so purchasing fries or adult ones is a better idea. You can get them from AQUABID, EBAY, or LRB AQUATICS – AQUARIUM HOARDER. They sell a good variety of kill fish so users have more options.
Will killifish eat shrimp?
Yes, most killifish eat shrimps and don’t have trouble consuming these crustaceans, especially brine shrimps. However, there are breeds of shrimps and killifish that can cohabitate. In general, if there isn’t a big difference in size between the 2 species, they should be able to share the tank.
Least killifish in 5g shrimp tank?
It’s not recommendable to have killifish with shrimps in such a small tank, given that small to medium shrimps are killifish’s favorite food. Opt for bigger tanks with many decorations and plants, and least killifish with shrimp of the same size.
Annette M. Chaney is an experienced marine biologist with over 20 years of experience as an aquarist and fishkeeper. She started her first aquarium at a young age, filling it with frogs and goldfish obtained from the ten-cent pet store.
Annette grew up caring for and breeding African Cichlids, which led to a hobby in high school that doubled as a profitable means. Attending Reed College gave her time to solidify herself as an accomplished aquarium caretaker with an eye for sales. After that, from 2009 – 2013, she studied at Roger Williams University – one of the most prestigious universities for Aquaculture and Aquarium in USA. She is the founder of AquariumCircle since 2010.