Crustaceans can be a lovely addition to any tank. Shrimps are one of the favorite choices among aquarium hobbyists. But you should make sure if they are compatible with the fish you have in your tank. Most livebearers like the swordtail harass any smaller and lower creatures in the food chain, which include shrimps. So, do swordtail fish eat shrimp?
Swordtail Fish are omnivorous, so given a chance, yes, swordtails will eat your shrimps. While swordtails do not particularly hunt shrimps, they are likely to eat the tiny shrimps that fit in their mouths. However, if you take proper preventive measures, your shrimp and swordtail could co-exist.
It is a challenge to protect your shrimp from getting eaten. If you are planning on breeding your shrimp, you should avoid keeping them together as swordtails are likely to eat the newborns.
Overview Of Swordtail Fish
The table below summarizes the Swordtail fish profile:
| Experience Level | Beginner – Easy to care for, hardy fish, easy to breed, and are undemanding |
| Appearance | Small and elongated, males have a sword-like tail extension and an anal fin.
Females lack those and have rounded tails. |
| Adult Size | Male Swordtail Adult Size: 5.5” Female Swordtail Adult Size: 6”(an inch longer than males) |
| Water Condition | Hard, Alkaline water
(12-30dGH) |
| Water Temperature Range | 65-80 Degree Fahrenheit |
| Tank Region | Usually found dwelling along the mid and top section of the tank |
| Tank Size | At least 15-gallon (45L) or larger |
| Food | Omnivorous (Algea, Bloodworms, Baby shrimps, etc.) |
| Lifespan | 3-5 years |
Do Swordtail Fish Eat Shrimp?
Yes. Swordtail fish are omnivores. Meaning, they enjoy both plant-based and protein-based diet. Your fish may eat smaller aquarium invertebrates like shrimps.
Swordtails consume everything that fits into their mouth. The shrimps are smaller than them. An average freshwater shrimp grows only about 2 inches long, whereas the swordtails measure up to 6 inches. Therefore, your fish will not hesitate to munch on your shrimps.
Due to swordtail’s instinct of feeding on crustaceans, they will try to chase and rip your shrimps to feed on them, assuming they are a part of their diet.
Swordtail Fish Diet
Swordtail fish will virtually eat anything which makes their diet easier. It is necessary to provide them with adequate food so that they do not attack other creatures in the aquarium.
They prefer both plants and proteins. You can provide them quality flake food or live foods like bloodworms, blackworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp, and mosquito larvae. Make sure to add some fibers to their diet like algae wafers, herbivore flakes, etc.
Moreover, swordtails also enjoy a fair share of frozen foods. These fish eat practically anything, maintaining their diet is not hard. However, providing them with adequate food is crucial to prevent them from munching on their tank mates.
Can Swordtails Live With Shrimps?
We cannot say that swordtails and shrimps are not compatible together, but, keeping swordtails and shrimps together can be a little too risky. Your swordtails and shrimps can co-exist only in precautionary circumstances. Otherwise, your shrimp can turn into a delicious snack for your swordtail.
Swordtail fish are listed among the most peaceful fish species. They are amicable explorers and do not cause trouble with other tankmates they are compatible with. However, your swordtail can end up eating mates that are tinier than them, if not fight or harass. Shrimps are tiny and easily fit into the mouth of the fish which makes them excellent prey.
The only way you can keep swordtails and shrimps together is if you take some precautions. Without these measures, your shrimp cannot peacefully live with your swordtail and will end up as a victim or a food. Swordtail fish eat shrimp.
How To Protect Your Shrimp From Getting Eaten By Swordtails?
Below are some crucial steps you should follow to keep swordtails and shrimps in the same tank:
Put Plenty Of Hiding Spots
You must provide enough coverage for your shrimp in the tank. A heavily planted tank will provide plenty of hiding space for your shrimp to hide from the swordtail.
Typically, any plants can be used for this purpose, but if you choose plants that grow densely, it will provide better protection for your shrimps. Plants like java moss, water wisteria, java fern can give access to shrimps where swordfish cannot reach.
Hiding spots are an essential factor as it gives both protection and privacy to both the fish and the shrimp.
Check The Fish-Shrimp Ratio
Another way to protect your shrimp from your swordtail is to keep more shrimp. If the ratio of shrimp is mot\re to that of swordtails, it will make your fish feel outnumbered. This way, you can protect your shrimp in the majority.
Likewise, choosing the right size of shrimp can be the best way to protect them. If you have shrimp that are larger than your fish there is less chance of your fish attacking your shrimp. For that, you can place your fish fry and your shrimp in the same tank.
Hence, it is important to limit the number of swordtail fish in your tank to protect your shrimps from getting devoured.
Feed Your Swordtail Adequately
Like mentioned a couple of times before, swordtails are likely to chase and harass your shrimp if they are not well fed.
If you provide your swordtails an adequate diet full of nutrition, they won’t go looking for food in the tank which increases your shrimp’s survival rate. This is a simple solution to prevent your swordtails from preying on the shrimps and other creatures in the aquarium.
Breed Shrimps In A Separate Tank
Breeding shrimp in the same tank with fish, like swordtails, is almost impossible. Swordtails try to nibble on things that fit into their mouth without any hassle. This puts both the pregnant shrimp and the babies in danger of being eaten. Therefore, breeding your shrimp in the same tank as the swordtail would not be a good idea.
To protect and increase the shrimp population, it is best to prepare a separate breeding tank for your shrimp. This will allow plenty of space and time for your shrimp newborns to grow. When they are of proper size, they can be shifted to the primary tank.
What Types Of Shrimps Can Survive With Swordtails?
All types of shrimps are generally tinier than swordtail fish which makes all of them at risk of being eaten. Still, there are a few that could survive.
Shrimps that are smaller in size are always at risk. Swordtail will munch on anything smaller than them, including their offspring. Thus, it is beneficial when you keep larger varieties of shrimp-like the bamboo shrimp or long-armed shrimp.
However, swordtails tend to attack any shrimp the wonders in the aquarium.
Benefits of Keeping Shrimps In Your Aquarium
There are various species of freshwater shrimps like ghost shrimp, Amano shrimp, cherry shrimp, etc. that can be a wonderful addition to your tank. Not to mention that they are oddly beneficial.
Firstly, shrimps will clean your tank. They feed on leftover food, algae, dead plants, and other residues. By cleaning up the residues, they prevent the water from getting polluted. Eating up dead and decayed debris, help to maintain the cleanliness of the water. They help keep the aquarium healthy which is vital for any creatures in it to flourish.
Moreover, shrimps make your tank lively, colorful, and interesting.
Conclusion
Swordtail fish eat shrimp. However, if you are careful and follow all measures, your swordtails and shrimps can live together. But, a friendly, peaceful relationship cannot be guaranteed. Nevertheless, all your tank creatures will benefit from having shrimps in the same tank.
Follow the steps, take proper care of both your shrimps and your swordtails, and you should be good.
