As an aquarium hobbyist, you likely want to create a diverse community with different fish, invertebrates, and plant life. A colorful addition is freshwater shrimp like ghost shrimp, cherry shrimp, or amano shrimp. Their small size and delicate nature mean you must choose tank mates carefully. A common question is ”Do Molly Fish Eat Shrimp?”.
Quick Answer:
Unfortunately, the answer is yes – mollies will eat shrimp if housed together. Mollies are omnivorous and will consume any small creatures that fit in their mouths. Their curious nibbling and semi-aggressive temperament make shrimp an unsafe match. Thus, it is better not to keep shrimp with Molly fish. Otherwise, the fish will eat them whenever they want to.
I have written an entire article dedicated to this very question, and I hope this will help you solve your problems. Please make sure to grasp the facts and information below.
Do Molly Fish Eat Shrimp?
Yes, Molly fish eat shrimp. Mollies are omnivores, which means they happily feed on both plants and small aquarium creatures like shrimp.
You’ll often catch your Molly fish checking out the shrimp scene, thinking it’s part of their buffet. Being natural munchers, Molly fish don’t discriminate much – if it fits in their mouth, it’s fair game. And guess what? Shrimps are usually smaller than them, making it an easy snack.
If you decide to keep some long-legged shrimps in the mix, be prepared for a bit of underwater chase! Molly fish can be quite playful and might make a game out of catching their shrimp buddies.
I remember the time I noticed my shrimp population decreasing. When, I went on a shrimp hunt, searching every nook and cranny of the tank, even giving it a good clean. I had some snails in the tank, and I knew shrimps and snails lived together harmoniously until that day. I was convinced my snails were the culprits until I caught my Molly red-handed, feasting on a baby shrimp in the corner. Poor snails, I blamed them for nothing! Learn from my beginner’s mishap, and keep an eye on those Mollies.
Do Molly Fish Eat All Types of Shrimp?
Molly fish will readily eat any small shrimp they come across. They are opportunistic omnivores and will consume both plant and meaty foods. Common freshwater shrimp like cherry shrimp, bamboo shrimp, ghost shrimp, and amano shrimp fit nicely into a molly’s mouth, making them an instant tasty snack.
The molly’s curious and nibbling nature means they will chase down and rip apart shrimp if given the chance. Even large ornamental shrimp are not safe – mollies will harass and shred their delicate antennae and legs. No freshwater shrimp species can be reliably kept long-term with mollies.
Why Does Molly Fish Eat Shrimp?
Several reasons explain why mollies are prone to attacking shrimp tankmates:
1. Omnivorous Diet
Molly fish are like food adventurers—they happily munch on both plants and meats. Think of them as underwater explorers who enjoy snacking on live goodies like brine shrimp and tiny insects. Now, when they spot those aquarium shrimp, it’s like stumbling upon a tasty treat in their underwater world. For Molly fish, it’s all about having a diverse menu and making every meal an exciting underwater adventure!
2. Opportunistic Hunters
Molly fish are like little underwater hunters, always on the lookout for their next nibble. They’ve got a habit of picking and munching on anything that looks like a potential snack, especially if it’s small and wiggles – enter shrimp! This sudden snacking instinct means that anything edible-sized might catch their attention, even if it’s a tankmate. So, when it comes to Molly fish and shrimp, it’s all about seizing the opportunity for a tasty bite, sometimes without considering tankmate bonds. It’s just the way they roll in the aquatic world!
3. Smaller Size Of Shrimps
Molly fish love shrimp partly because of their small size. Molly fish, on average, are about two times larger than your regular shrimp. Even the lengthier shrimp are still tiny in comparison to these underwater pals. This size difference makes it a breeze for Molly fish to swallow up shrimp without breaking a sweat in the aquarium. It’s like having a giant enjoying a mini-snack; the size advantage makes shrimp a perfect bite-sized treat for Molly fish in their aquatic world!
4. Semi-Aggressive Temperament
The inclination of Molly fish, particularly males, towards semi-aggressive behavior plays a significant role in their interaction with shrimp within the aquarium environment. When male mollies experience conditions of under crowding or hunger, their semi-aggressive tendencies may become pronounced. In such instances, they may view smaller tankmates, including shrimp, as potential prey.
5. Shrimp Shells Resemble Fish Scales
Molly fish, shaped by their evolutionary history, have an interesting response to the appearance of shrimp. The shells, antennae, and legs of shrimp can inadvertently trigger the feeding instincts of mollies, similar to their natural inclination towards fish scales and fins.
Overall, shrimp automatically fall into the prey category for mollies – small, moving, and similar to their natural food sources. Careful tank management is needed to keep shrimp safe.
Can Hiding Spots Protect Shrimps From Molly Fish?
Creating hiding spots in the aquarium is crucial for the well-being of aquatic inhabitants, providing essential private or separate spaces for both fish and shrimps. In the underwater ecosystem, shrimps instinctively seek hideout in these spots when feeling fearful, uncomfortable, or unwell. Nestled among live plants away from open spaces, hiding spots such as placing a shrimp cave in the molly fish tank, offer shrimps a sense of security.
In the dynamic interaction with Molly fish, these spots become vital shields for shrimps, allowing them to escape the pursuit and attacks. Given the smaller size of shrimps, these hiding spaces act as safe havens where Molly fish find it challenging to invade.
However, this defense is only temporary, as shrimps eventually have to emerge from their cover, exposing themselves to the watchful eyes of Molly fish. The moment shrimps reappear, the protective shield diminishes, and Molly fish may seize the opportunity to pursue and potentially consume them.
Hence, while hiding spots offer valuable protection, their effectiveness is limited to a specific timeframe within the aquarium dynamics.
Here is an article that might help you with Aquarium Decorations: What To and What Not To Add – Beginners Guide
Can Molly Fish And Shrimp Live Together?
No, Molly fish and shrimp cannot live together. While Molly fish aren’t known for being overly aggressive, it’s crucial to understand that not all aquarium species are suitable companions for them. Many aquarists make the mistake of assuming that Molly fish can comfortably coexist with any tankmates. However, this misconception can lead to trouble, especially when considering shrimps as potential tankmates.
Shrimps, being smaller in size, become vulnerable to Molly fish, as they can easily fit into their mouths. The high likelihood of Molly fish perceiving shrimps as a snack rather than tank companions makes it challenging for them to live together peacefully. Planning to raise shrimp alongside Molly fish might not be the best idea, as the fish often show an inclination to consume shrimps upon encountering them in the aquarium.
Thus, the cohabitation of Molly fish and shrimp in an aquarium poses a significant challenge, with the survival chances of the shrimp appearing unpromising in the presence of their larger tankmates.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Can I Feed Shrimp to Molly Fish?
Yes, you can add shrimps to the Molly fish diet as a supplement. Baby brine shrimps are a good option for Molly fish. However, only keep shrimps in the aquarium if you intend to offer them as food for your fish.
What are The Best Tank Mates For Molly Fish?
Ideal tank mates for Molly fish include livebearers such as Guppies, Platy Fish, Swordtails, and Endlers. Additional companions can include Zebra Danios, Neon Tetra, Minnow, Dwarf Gourami, Angelfish, and Snails. These choices ensure a harmonious aquarium environment for your Molly fish.
For more details, refer to our article “9+ Best Tank Mates For Molly Fish.”
What Species Are Good Tank Mates For Shrimps?
Choosing suitable tank mates for shrimps requires consideration of size and behavior. Some peaceful species that can get along well with shrimps in the tank include Otocinclus, Harlequin Rasboras, Kuhli Loach, Guppies, and Pygmy Corydoras.
Will Mollies Eat Amano Shrimp?
Yes, there is a possibility that Mollies will eat Amano shrimp. Mollies have a tendency to consume smaller tankmates, and Amano shrimp, although larger than some other shrimp species, may still be considered prey by Mollies.
Do Guppy Fish Eat Shrimp?
No, guppy fish will not eat shrimp unless the shrimp is small enough to fit in the guppy’s mouth. If the shrimp is larger, guppies will leave them be. When keeping these species together in a tank, it’s advisable to choose larger shrimp to ensure compatibility.
For more details, check out our article “Do Guppy Fish Eat Shrimp?”
Conclusion
Knowing all information about the Molly fish is significant if you wish to keep them in your aquarium along with other species. Here, species like shrimps are improper picks to add with Molly fish. The reason is simple; Molly fish eat shrimp as a part of their diet.
The Mollies take no time to chase and munch them once they see shrimp nearby. Thus, if you want to see shrimp thriving in an aquarium, keeping them with Molly fish is the wrong choice.
I hope this article was helpful to you in understanding Mollies and shrimp’s endurance together. Keep your aquarium lives safe and healthy!