Guppies and shrimp can often live together peacefully, especially with adult shrimp like cherry shrimp. But the question many keepers ask is the real one: what happens to baby shrimp? Guppies are curious and opportunistic. They may not “hunt” shrimp constantly, but they will eat tiny shrimp when they find them. Whether shrimp successfully breed in a guppy tank depends heavily on cover, feeding strategy, and how busy the guppies are at mealtime.
Adults vs babies
Adult shrimp usually do fine with guppies, especially if guppies are well-fed and the tank has structure. Baby shrimp are small enough to be viewed as food. If you want shrimp reproduction, you need a tank that protects babies.
What improves shrimp survival
- Dense cover: moss-like structure and fine plants give baby shrimp hiding space.
- Complex hardscape: rock piles and wood create micro-hiding zones.
- Multiple feeding points: keeps guppies distracted during feeding time.
What reduces shrimp survival
- bare tanks with open space
- hungry guppies that compete aggressively for food
- high flow that pushes shrimp into open areas
The realistic expectation
Some shrimp babies will still be eaten. The goal is to create enough cover that many survive. If you want guaranteed shrimp colony growth, a shrimp-only tank is easiest. If you want a mixed display and don’t mind slower shrimp growth, guppies and shrimp can be a great combo.
Mixed tanks are about trade-offs. With the right structure, guppies and shrimp can coexist and keep the tank lively and clean.
