If you're a fishkeeping enthusiast looking to add variety and colour to your aquarium, you might wonder: Can shrimp live with Gouramis? The good news is — yes, with the right setup and choices, shrimp and Gourami can absolutely live in harmony. Let’s dive into the peaceful world of tankmates and explore how to build your own shrimp squad that thrives with Gouramis.
Why Keep Shrimp and Gourami Together?
Keeping shrimp and Gourami in the same tank brings several benefits — both visually appealing and functionally effective for your aquatic ecosystem.
1. Shrimp Are Natural Cleaners
Shrimp, especially species like Amano and Cherry Shrimp, are excellent scavengers. They feed on leftover food, algae, and biofilm, helping to keep your tank clean and stable. Think of them as your tank’s tiny janitors — working 24/7.
2. Low Bioload
Most freshwater shrimp are small and produce very little waste. This makes them ideal for community tanks, especially if you're trying to maintain water quality and reduce ammonia spikes.
3. Adds Movement and Colour
A vibrant group of red, blue, or yellow shrimp scuttling around plants or substrate adds life and visual interest. When combined with the graceful swimming patterns of Gourami, your tank becomes a peaceful, moving artwork.
4. Great for Planted Aquariums
Both shrimp and Gouramis thrive in planted tanks with lots of hiding spots. The plants help reduce aggression and offer areas to breed, feed, and explore — making the combination naturally compatible.
So… Can All Gourami Live With Shrimp?
Short answer: Not all Gourami will tolerate shrimp. While many dwarf and peaceful types are shrimp-friendly, others can see your shrimp as a tasty snack — especially if the shrimp are too small or your tank lacks hiding spaces.
✔️ Safe Gourami Types For Shrimp:
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Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius)
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Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna)
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Sparkling Gourami (Trichopsis pumila)
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Licorice Gourami (Parosphromenus spp.)
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Pearl Gourami (Trichopodus leerii) — with caution
❌ Gourami Types That May Eat Shrimp:
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Blue Gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus)
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Kissing Gourami
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Three-spot Gourami
Pro Tip: Even with friendly Gouramis, always introduce adult shrimp first (not babies) and make sure your tank is densely planted with moss, driftwood, or leaf litter for shrimp to hide and feel safe.
Shrimp Squad: Best Shrimp Species for Gourami Tanks
Now let’s explore the shrimp squad — a list of popular, shrimp-friendly species that pair well with most peaceful Gouramis:
1. Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
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Colours: Red, yellow, blue, orange, green
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Size: Around 2.5–3 cm
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Why they work: Active, hardy, and perfect for beginners. Easy to breed and fun to watch. Their bright colours look stunning against green plants.
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Pro Tip: Use a sponge filter to avoid sucking in baby shrimp.
2. Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)
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Size: Up to 5 cm
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Strength: One of the best algae eaters in the hobby. They’re quick, large enough to avoid being eaten, and generally peaceful.
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Note: They don’t breed easily in freshwater — which can be a plus if you don’t want to manage a growing population.
3. Blue Dream Shrimp
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Type: A colour morph of Cherry Shrimp
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Why they work: Great contrast with Gourami colours like red or gold. Peaceful, active, and beginner-friendly.
4. Ghost Shrimp (Palaemonetes spp.)
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Size: Up to 4 cm
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Look: Transparent and less flashy, but highly functional.
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Pros: Cheap, great scavengers.
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Cons: Some Gouramis may chase them if underfed or bored.
5. Green Jade Shrimp
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Unique trait: Dark green colour makes them stand out beautifully in planted tanks.
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Care: Same as Cherry Shrimp.
Tips for Keeping Shrimp and Gouramis Peacefully
To create a truly successful tank, keep these tips in mind:
1. Add Shrimp First
Introduce shrimp into the tank before the Gourami, so they establish territory and hiding habits.
2. Provide Plenty of Hiding Spots
Use plants like Java moss, Anubias, and floating plants. Add rock caves and driftwood too.
3. Don’t Overcrowd
Too many fish (especially mid-top swimmers like Gourami) can stress shrimp. Keep a balanced stock.
4. Feed Mindfully
Feed both shrimp and Gourami enough — and occasionally drop in shrimp-specific food like algae wafers or blanched zucchini to ensure shrimp aren’t outcompeted.
5. Stable Water Parameters
Keep your water soft to moderately hard, with temperatures between 22–28°C — ideal for both groups. Avoid ammonia and nitrite spikes at all costs.
What Can Go Wrong?
Even with all precautions, some Gouramis may still peck at shrimp out of curiosity, especially small juveniles or babies. That’s why it’s crucial to:
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Choose adult shrimp
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Heavily plant the tank
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Avoid aggressive Gourami species
But in most cases, with Honey, Dwarf, or Sparkling Gourami, things go quite smoothly — especially in tanks over 40 litres with good hiding spots.
Final Verdict: Should You Keep Shrimp With Gourami?
Absolutely — if done right!
Shrimp bring cleaning benefits, biodiversity, and beauty to your Gourami tank. With smart planning and careful species selection, this pairing can turn your aquarium into a lively, self-balancing aquatic garden.
FAQ: Shrimp and Gourami Combo
Q: Will Gouramis eat baby shrimp?
A: Yes, most likely — even peaceful Gouramis might snack on baby shrimp if they find them. Use moss or breeder boxes to protect shrimp fry.
Q: How many shrimp should I add with Gouramis?
A: Start with 5–10 shrimp per 20L. Make sure you have enough cover and that the tank isn’t overstocked.
Q: What’s the best shrimp for beginners with Gouramis?
A: Cherry Shrimp. They’re colourful, hardy, and easy to care for.
Q: Can I breed shrimp in a Gourami tank?
A: It’s possible, especially with Cherry Shrimp, but survival rates of babies may be low without hiding spots.
Ready to Build Your Shrimp Squad?
At Micro Aquatic Shop, we offer a range of healthy, vibrant shrimp and Gourami species — carefully selected to thrive together. Whether you're new to shrimp-keeping or looking to expand your aquatic family, we’ve got everything you need.
👉 Shop now and create your dream community tank with our friendly shrimp and peaceful Gouramis:
https://microaquaticshop.com.au/
