Shrimp and snailsTM-06
Which Fish Can Live with Shrimp? Neocaridina and Amano Ratings, Hiding Places, Acclimation
Shrimp tank mates are small, peaceful fish with small mouths. But many fish eat baby shrimp, so you need hiding places if you want them to breed.
In this article (15 sections)
- In short: which fish can live with shrimp?
- Which fish can live with Neocaridina shrimp?
- Why do Amano shrimp and Neocaridina shrimp get different results?
- When choosing shrimp tank mates, how do the three shrimp and the snail differ?
- How is "eats baby shrimp" different from "eats adult shrimp"?
- How do you make hiding places so baby shrimp survive?
- Can you choose shrimp tank mates by swimming level?
- Should you add shrimp or fish first?
- How do you acclimate shrimp when adding them to the tank?
- What are common mistakes with shrimp tank mates, and the fixes?
- What do shrimp tank mates look like in a quick chart?
- What terms come up with shrimp tank mates?
- What else goes with shrimp tank mates?
Frequently asked questions about shrimp tank mates6
- Sources
In short: which fish can live with shrimp?
Fish that can live with shrimp are small, peaceful fish with small mouths, such as neon tetras and corydoras. Angelfish and goldfish eat adult shrimp too, so they are ×.
Most people looking for shrimp tank mates want to add Neocaridina shrimp or Amano shrimp. Both are popular as cleaners that eat algae and leftover food in the tank.
The usual advice is "small fish are fine." The key point: even if the adult shrimp are safe, newborn baby shrimp are another matter.
What this article covers:
- ○△× for Neocaridina shrimp with every species, and the reasons
- Why Amano shrimp and Neocaridina shrimp get different results
- How to tell fish that eat baby shrimp from fish that eat adult shrimp
- Hiding places that let baby shrimp survive, which to add first, and acclimation steps
| Fish group | Neocaridina shrimp | Amano shrimp | Main reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small tetras, rasboras, corydoras, platy | ○ | ○ | No source found saying they eat shrimp |
| Guppy, otocinclus | △ | ○ | They eat baby shrimp. Adult shrimp survive |
| Betta | △ | △ | Eats baby shrimp. Sometimes attacks shrimp |
| Cherry barb, zebra danio | △ | ○ | Sometimes chases adult shrimp |
| Tiger barb | △ | △ | A source says to avoid barbs, as fish big enough to eat shrimp |
| Dwarf gourami | △ | ○ | Possible with plenty of plants, but it chases shrimp |
| Kuhli loach | × | ○ | Often eats baby shrimp |
| Angelfish, goldfish | × | × | Eat adult shrimp too |
Which fish can live with Neocaridina shrimp?
Compatibility of Neocaridina shrimp with every species is in the list below. Each ○△× comes with a reason.
○ Generally compatible (12)
- Neon tetra
- Cardinal tetra
- Rummy-nose tetra
- Platy
- Panda cory
- Peppered cory
- Harlequin rasbora
- Bristlenose pleco
- MedakaNeocaridina shrimp are suited to living with medaka (manufacturer guide) (GEX (keeping Neocaridina shrimp))
- Cherry shrimp
- Amano shrimp
- Nerite snailNerite snails get on well with Neocaridina shrimp (Tokyo Aqua Garden (nerite snail))
△ With care (7)
- GuppyGuppy eats baby shrimp (adults usually survive)
- Betta (male)Betta (male) eats baby shrimp (adults usually survive)
- OtocinclusOtocinclus eats baby shrimp (adults usually survive)
- Zebra danioEven if it does not eat adult shrimp, it steals food and chases them (source covers cherry shrimp, a close relative) (Aquarium Co-Op (Cherry shrimp tank mates))
- Cherry barbMay chase adult shrimp, so give plenty of hiding places (source covers cherry shrimp, a close relative) (Aquarium Co-Op (Cherry barb))
- Tiger barbBarbs are listed as fish big enough to eat shrimp (source covers Amano shrimp; smaller shrimp are even more at risk) (Aquarium Co-Op (Amano shrimp))
- Dwarf gouramiCan work in a well-planted tank, but may chase shrimp (Seriously Fish (Trichogaster lalius))
× Not recommended (3)
- AngelfishAngelfish readily eat small shrimp (Tokyo Aqua Garden (angelfish)) / Angelfish eats Japanese swamp shrimp
- Kuhli loachOften eats baby shrimp, so avoid small shrimp such as Neocaridina (Tokyo Aqua Garden (kuhli loach)) / Kuhli loach eats baby shrimp (adults usually survive)
- GoldfishGoldfish eats Japanese swamp shrimp / Temperature overlap is narrow (23–24°C)
Source: Judged by this site's rules from the care data of each species (see the sources of the care data table)
Neocaridina shrimp spend their whole lives in fresh water and breed in the aquarium. So whether a fish eats baby shrimp is a big reason the results differ.
A △ in the list means one of two things: a fish that eats baby shrimp, or a fish that chases adult shrimp.
Cherry barbs and zebra danios chase adult shrimp or take their food. This judgment comes from sources about red cherry shrimp, a close relative.
For the tiger barb, a source says to avoid barbs, as fish big enough to eat shrimp.
That source is about Amano shrimp. It also applies to the smaller Neocaridina shrimp, so we mark the pair △.
If you only want to watch adult shrimp, △ fish are fine. If you want the shrimp to breed, choose ○ fish.
A specialist shop's guide says the kuhli loach often eats baby shrimp. It says to avoid keeping it with small shrimp, so we mark it ×.
If you keep shrimp with △ fish, grow plants thickly. The number of places baby shrimp can escape to decides how many survive.
Why do Amano shrimp and Neocaridina shrimp get different results?
Amano shrimp larvae grow up in water near the sea, so Amano shrimp do not breed in a freshwater tank. With no baby shrimp, even fish that eat baby shrimp are not △.
○ Generally compatible (18)
- Neon tetra
- Cardinal tetra
- Rummy-nose tetra
- Guppy
- Platy
- Panda cory
- Peppered cory
- Otocinclus
- Harlequin rasbora
- Zebra danio
- Cherry barbLives without problems alongside the larger Amano shrimp (Aquarium Co-Op (Cherry barb))
- Dwarf gourami
- Kuhli loachKuhli loaches are listed as Amano shrimp tank mates (Aquarium Co-Op (Amano shrimp))
- Bristlenose plecoBristlenose plecos are listed as Amano shrimp tank mates (Aquarium Co-Op (Amano shrimp))
- Medaka
- Japanese swamp shrimp
- Cherry shrimp
- Nerite snailNerite snails get on well with Amano shrimp (Tokyo Aqua Garden (nerite snail))
△ With care (2)
- Betta (male)Bettas may attack shrimp, and sources advise caution or avoiding the pairing (Tokyo Aqua Garden (betta))
- Tiger barbBarbs are listed among the fish to keep away from Amano shrimp (Aquarium Co-Op (Amano shrimp))
× Not recommended (2)
- AngelfishEven the larger Amano shrimp get attacked by angelfish (Tokyo Aqua Garden (Amano shrimp)) / Angelfish eats Amano shrimp
- GoldfishGoldfish are big enough to eat Amano shrimp (Aquarium Co-Op (Amano shrimp)) / Goldfish eats Amano shrimp
Source: Judged by this site's rules from the care data of each species (see the sources of the care data table)
Amano shrimp larvae travel down rivers and grow up in brackish water. A larva is a young animal just out of the egg that looks different from its parents. Brackish water is a mix of river water and seawater.
The Japanese maker GEX also says Amano shrimp cannot breed in captivity. A US specialist shop writes that the larvae cannot survive without salty water.
This site's compatibility rules follow the same idea. For Amano shrimp, we do not apply the △ for fish that eat baby shrimp.
Amano shrimp are △ with only two species: the betta and the tiger barb. Both are △ because of how they treat adult shrimp, not baby shrimp.
- Betta: specialist shop guides say it sometimes attacks shrimp and should be avoided or added with care
- Tiger barb: a US specialist shop says to avoid barbs as partners for Amano shrimp
| What to look at | Neocaridina shrimp | Amano shrimp |
|---|---|---|
| Breeds in the tank | Yes | No |
| How the young grow | Baby shrimp are born looking like the parents | Larvae grow up in brackish water |
| Fish that eat baby shrimp | △ (fewer baby shrimp) | Not applied |
| Fish that eat adult shrimp | × | × |
| Size | Smaller (see the table) | Larger (see the table) |
| What to watch | Hiding places for baby shrimp | Escapes, and competing with small shrimp for food |
Amano shrimp have their own points to watch. The US specialist shop says they are good at escaping, so close any gaps in the lid.
The same source says they compete with smaller shrimp for food, so keep their numbers down. Tokyo Aqua Garden's guide says they may also attack the fry of small fish.
When choosing shrimp tank mates, how do the three shrimp and the snail differ?
Before choosing fish that can live with shrimp, check the size and water needs of the shrimp and snail. The table below is this site's data.
| Species | Adult size (cm) | Temperature (°C) | pH | Swimming level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese swamp shrimp | 2.8 | 23–28 | 6.5–7 | Bottom |
| Cherry shrimp | 4 | 16–28 | 6.5–8.5 | Bottom |
| Amano shrimp | 4 | 20–28 | 6.5–7.5 | Bottom |
| Nerite snail | 2 | 10–28 | 7 |
Source (4)
- GEX (temperature), Tokyo Aqua Garden (pH, level, temperament), Kyoto Prefecture Red Data Book 2015 (size)
- Aquarium Co-Op (temperature, pH), UF/IFAS EDIS IN1301 (size, habitat)
- GEX (temperature), Tokyo Aqua Garden (pH, level), Hyogo Prefecture Red Data Book (size)
- Tokyo Aqua Garden (temperature, pH, temperament), Ishikawa Prefecture Red Data Book (size)
Unlike fish, shrimp and snails have no large reference source for temperature and pH in the aquarium. The values in this table are filled in from the care guides of Japanese makers and specialist shops.
The red cherry shrimp is a close relative of the Neocaridina shrimp. According to a US university guide (UF/IFAS), it has no larval stage. Baby shrimp are born looking like the parents.
On the other hand, Neocaridina shrimp and red cherry shrimp can hybridize. Tokyo Aqua Garden's guide says hybrids lose their bright colors.
The nerite snail gets along well with shrimp. Tokyo Aqua Garden's guide says it gets along with both Neocaridina shrimp and Amano shrimp.
Like the Amano shrimp, the nerite snail's larvae go down to the sea, so it does not breed in the tank. It may lay white eggs on the glass, but no baby snails hatch.
How is "eats baby shrimp" different from "eats adult shrimp"?
A fish that eats baby shrimp leaves the adults, so it is △. A fish that eats adult shrimp too will wipe out the shrimp, so it is ×.
Newborn baby shrimp are very small. In the UF/IFAS guide, red cherry shrimp babies are 1 to 2 mm long. They fit even in a small fish's mouth.
A US specialist shop writes that most fish eat baby shrimp. If breeding is the goal, it recommends a shrimp-only tank.
| How it eats | Fish in this site's data | Result | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eats adult shrimp too | Angelfish, goldfish | × | The number of shrimp keeps falling |
| Eats baby shrimp | Guppy, betta, otocinclus, kuhli loach | △ (the kuhli loach is ×) | Adults survive, but the shrimp breed poorly |
| No source says it eats shrimp | Neon tetra, corydoras and others | ○ | With hiding places, baby shrimp survive more easily |
○ does not mean "confirmed not to eat shrimp." It means "no source found saying it does." To keep baby shrimp alive, give hiding places even with ○ fish.
Whether a fish eats adult shrimp depends mostly on the size of its mouth. A specialist shop's guide says the angelfish grows large as an adult and likes to eat shrimp.
How do you make hiding places so baby shrimp survive?
Grow plants such as willow moss thickly to give baby shrimp places to escape. You can also move a berried female (one carrying eggs) to a separate container.
Tokyo Aqua Garden's guide says thick clumps of willow moss and similar plants raise the survival rate of baby shrimp. A US specialist shop also writes that plants give baby shrimp and fry places to hide.
| Hiding place | Why it helps | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Clumps of willow moss | Baby shrimp hide in it, and the algae on it is food | Tokyo Aqua Garden, Aquarium Co-Op |
| Plenty of plants | Fish find it harder to catch baby shrimp | Aquarium Co-Op |
| Piles of stones, shrimp caves | More places to hide | Aquarium Co-Op |
| Sponge filter | Baby shrimp are less likely to be sucked into the filter | GEX |
| Move berried females to another container | The newborn baby shrimp are not eaten by fish | Tokyo Aqua Garden |
GEX's guide says baby shrimp do not cope well with water flow. It also says plants or artificial hiding places make them safer.
When you add plants, choose ones free of pesticides. Both GEX and Tokyo Aqua Garden write that plants with pesticides on them harm shrimp.
Check that plants you buy are pesticide-free before you add them. Shrimp are more sensitive to chemicals than fish.
Can you choose shrimp tank mates by swimming level?
To some degree. Shrimp live on the bottom, so they meet fish that swim at the top or in the middle less often.
Tokyo Aqua Garden's guide says Neocaridina shrimp usually live near the bottom. Amano shrimp also live on the bottom.
Neon tetras and rasboras swim in the middle. Guppies and platies swim near the top. When the levels are split, the shrimp can eat food on the bottom in peace.
But fish with large mouths come down to the bottom and eat shrimp, even if they live at another level.
Corydoras and otocinclus share the bottom level with the shrimp. Corydoras are ○, and otocinclus are △ because they eat baby shrimp. Look not only at the level but also at the ○△× and the reasons in the table.
Should you add shrimp or fish first?
We found no source that settles whether shrimp or fish should go in first. What the sources agree on is adding shrimp after the tank's water has matured.
A US specialist shop says the ideal is to add shrimp to a tank that has been running and settled for months. By then, algae and microorganisms for the shrimp to graze on have grown.
GEX's guide to red bee shrimp says to run the water for about 1 to 2 weeks after setting up the tank. The shrimp come after that.
When you add fish later, check the new fish's compatibility with the shrimp first. Adding a fish that eats baby shrimp later will stop a shrimp colony that was growing.
How do you acclimate shrimp when adding them to the tank?
Float the bag in the tank for about 30 minutes to match the temperature, then add tank water little by little to get them used to the water. For animals that are sensitive to changes in water, take time with the drip method.
These are the steps in GEX's guide.
- Float the bag, unopened, in the tank for about 30 minutes to match the temperature
- Move the shrimp, with the water from the bag, into a bucket or similar container
- Add tank water little by little to get them used to the water
- Scoop the shrimp out with a net and move them into the tank
The drip method uses a thin tube to drip tank water, one drop at a time, into the container. GEX's guide to red bee shrimp lists the tools and steps.
| Drip method tool | How it is used |
|---|---|
| Airline tubing | Carries water from the tank to the shrimp's container |
| Suction cup | Holds the tube to the rim of the tank |
| Flow control valve | Slows the water to a drip |
| Bucket or similar container | Placed lower than the tank |
GEX says animals that are sensitive to changes in water should be acclimated slowly, with the drip method or similar. The sources we checked give no rule for how many hours it should take.
Do not rush acclimation. Shrimp do not cope well with sudden changes in temperature or water.
What are common mistakes with shrimp tank mates, and the fixes?
There are three common mistakes: baby shrimp not increasing, shrimp suddenly disappearing, and mistaking a shed shell for a dead shrimp. Each cause has its own fix.
| What happened | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Baby shrimp do not increase | A fish that eats baby shrimp is in the tank | Grow plants thickly. Move berried females to another container |
| Adult shrimp disappear | A fish that eats adult shrimp is in the tank | Move the shrimp or the fish to another tank |
| They weaken soon after being added | Plants with pesticides, or a sudden change in water | Use pesticide-free plants. Take more time to acclimate |
| A clear shell is lying on the bottom | Molting (shedding the old shell) | The shrimp is not dead. It hides until the new shell hardens |
| You cannot find your Amano shrimp | It escaped from the tank | Close the gaps in the lid |
You can tell a shed shell from a dead shrimp by looking. A US specialist shop's guide says a shed shell is clear and split along the back, while a dead shrimp turns white and cloudy.
If shrimp numbers fall, first recheck the results for the fish they live with in the table. If a × fish is in the tank, separating them works better than adding plants.
What do shrimp tank mates look like in a quick chart?
We put seven species that are often kept together into a quick chart. It also shows shrimp with shrimp, and fish with fish.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Japanese swamp shrimp | · | ○ | ○ | △ | △ | △ | ○ |
| 2Amano shrimp | ○ | · | ○ | ○ | ○ | △ | ○ |
| 3Neon tetra | ○ | ○ | · | ○ | ○ | × | △ |
| 4Otocinclus | △ | ○ | ○ | · | ○ | × | △ |
| 5Guppy | △ | ○ | ○ | ○ | · | × | △ |
| 6Betta (male) | △ | △ | × | × | × | · | × |
| 7Medaka | ○ | ○ | △ | △ | △ | × | · |
○ Generally compatible △ With care × Not recommended
Source: Judged by this site's rules from the care data of each species (see the sources of the care data table)
Medaka and Neocaridina shrimp are ○. GEX's guide says Neocaridina shrimp are well suited to living with medaka.
The betta is △ with both Neocaridina shrimp and Amano shrimp. With Neocaridina shrimp it is because it eats baby shrimp, and with Amano shrimp because it sometimes attacks shrimp.
Pairs with the betta are covered in detail in Fish That Can Live with Bettas.
What terms come up with shrimp tank mates?
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tank mates (混泳) | Keeping different kinds of fish or shrimp in the same tank |
| Baby shrimp (稚エビ) | Newborn, small shrimp |
| Larva (幼生) | A young animal just out of the egg that looks different from its parents |
| Brackish water (汽水) | A mix of river water and seawater, slightly salty |
| Berried (抱卵) | A female shrimp carrying eggs under her belly |
| Molting (脱皮) | Shedding the old shell to grow a size larger |
| Hybridization (交雑) | Two different but closely related species producing young |
| Acclimation (水合わせ) | Getting a new animal used to the temperature and water of the tank |
| Drip method (点滴法) | Acclimation by dripping tank water through a tube, one drop at a time |
| Bottom level (底層) | The area near the bottom of the tank, where shrimp and corydoras live |
What else goes with shrimp tank mates?
Fish that can live with shrimp also connect to compatibility from the fish's side. Go on to the article for the fish you are curious about.
- Compatibility of every species at once: Tropical Fish Tank Mates Chart
- Fish that school in the middle: Fish That Can Live with Neon Tetras
- Fish that share the bottom with shrimp: Fish That Can Live with Corydoras
- Top-level fish that eat baby shrimp: Fish That Can Live with Guppies
- Aggressive fish and shrimp: Fish That Can Live with Bettas
Tank-mate chartTropical Fish Tank Mates Chart: 23 Species Rated ○△× with Reasons, Safe Sets and MistakesCheck tropical fish tank mates in order: temperature, size, fins and temperament, then shrimp. A ○△× chart for 23 species with reasons, safe sets and mistakes.
Tank mates by speciesNeon Tetra Tank Mates: 22 Species Rated ○△× with Reasons, plus Medaka, Shrimp, CardinalsNeon tetra tank mates for 22 species, rated ○△× with reasons. Bettas, angelfish and goldfish are ×. Medaka, tiger barbs, shrimp and cardinals, with sources.
Tank mates by speciesCorydoras Tank Mates: 22 Species Rated ○△×, Shrimp, Crowded Bottoms and How Many to KeepCorydoras tank mates for 22 species, rated ○△× with reasons. Bettas, medaka and goldfish are ×. Shrimp, sharing the bottom with plecos, and how many to keep.
Tank mates by speciesGuppy Tank Mates: Good and Bad Partners, plus Shrimp, Fry and Keeping Guppies with PlatiesGuppies are ○ with most small, peaceful fish. Guppy tank mates for 22 species rated ○△× with reasons, fin nippers, platies, shrimp, medaka, fry and tank size.
Tank mates by speciesCan Bettas Have Tank Mates? Why Males Live Alone, plus Cherry Barbs, Shrimp, SnailsA male betta is best kept alone. Betta tank mates for 22 species rated ○△× with reasons, the cherry barb, shrimp and snail exceptions, and fixes if it fails.Frequently asked questions about shrimp tank mates
Can neon tetras live with shrimp?
Yes. Neon tetras are ○ with both Neocaridina shrimp and Amano shrimp.
Tokyo Aqua Garden's guide also names small characins such as the neon tetra as partners for red cherry shrimp. If you want baby shrimp to survive, add clumps of plants too.
Which fish can live with Neocaridina shrimp?
Small tetras, rasboras, corydoras, the platy, medaka and others are ○. Guppies and bettas are △ because they eat baby shrimp.
Cherry barbs and zebra danios are △ because they sometimes chase adult shrimp. The full list is in the section "Which fish can live with Neocaridina shrimp?" If you want the shrimp to breed, choose from the ○ fish.
Can shrimp live with goldfish?
Goldfish and shrimp are ×. Goldfish have big mouths and eat adult shrimp too.
A US specialist shop says not to keep shrimp with medium or larger fish such as goldfish. Even Amano shrimp should not go in the same tank as goldfish.
Can Amano shrimp and Neocaridina shrimp live together?
Yes. The two species are ○.
But Amano shrimp are larger and compete with small shrimp for food. Keep their numbers down, and make sure food reaches the bottom.
Do Amano shrimp eat baby shrimp?
In the sources we checked, we found nothing saying Amano shrimp eat baby shrimp. A specialist shop's guide does say they sometimes attack the fry of small fish.
On this site, Amano shrimp and Neocaridina shrimp are ○. If you want baby shrimp to survive, give them hiding places, just as you would with fish.
Can you use fish medicine in a tank with shrimp?
Before using it, check the instructions for warnings about shrimp. Shrimp are sensitive to medicines.
Tokyo Aqua Garden's guide says Amano shrimp are very sensitive to chemicals. Follow the instructions, and do not use a medicine with a shrimp warning in a tank that has shrimp.
Sources
- GEX: Fish and cleanup crew recommended for MeGreen (MeGreen推奨のお魚とお掃除屋さん, in Japanese. Temperature and size of Neocaridina and Amano shrimp, Amano shrimp do not breed in captivity, living with medaka, baby shrimp with plants and sponge filters, pesticide-free plants)
- GEX: Let's keep popular red bee shrimp (大人気！レッドビーシュリンプを飼おう！, in Japanese. 30 minutes of temperature matching, drip method tools and steps, running the water for 1 to 2 weeks, willow moss)
- GEX: What to watch between buying fish at the shop and releasing them at home (お店でお魚を買ってから、家の水槽に放すまでの注意点, in Japanese. Float the bag for 30 minutes, the drip method for animals sensitive to changes in water)
- GEX: The first six months after setup (これで安心。スタートしてから半年までに, in Japanese. Acclimation by adding tank water to the bag water little by little)
- UF/IFAS EDIS IN1301: Cherry shrimp (no larval stage, baby shrimp 1 to 2 mm, adult size)
- Tokyo Aqua Garden: Neocaridina shrimp (ミナミヌマエビ, in Japanese. Lives near the bottom, willow moss and baby shrimp survival, pesticide-free plants)
- Tokyo Aqua Garden: Amano shrimp (ヤマトヌマエビ, in Japanese. Larvae grow in brackish water, attacked by angelfish, attacks the fry of small fish, sensitive to chemicals)
- Tokyo Aqua Garden: Cherry shrimp (チェリーシュリンプ, in Japanese. Living with small characins, separating berried females, willow moss, hybridizing with Neocaridina shrimp, pesticides)
- Tokyo Aqua Garden: Nerite snail (石巻貝, in Japanese. Compatibility with shrimp, no baby snails in captivity)
- Tokyo Aqua Garden: Angelfish (エンゼルフィッシュ, in Japanese. Likes to eat small shrimp)
- Tokyo Aqua Garden: Kuhli loach (クーリーローチ, in Japanese. Often eats baby shrimp)
- Aquarium Co-Op: Cherry Shrimp Tank Mates (avoid medium or larger fish, care with bettas and similar fish, zebra danios take food and chase shrimp, fish that pick at baby shrimp, plants as hiding places for baby shrimp)
- Tokyo Aqua Garden: Betta (ベタ, in Japanese. Poor match with shrimp, so avoid keeping them together)
- Aquarium Co-Op: Cherry Barb (sometimes chases adult cherry shrimp)
- Aquarium Co-Op: Cherry Shrimp Care (most fish eat baby shrimp, a settled tank, hiding places, molting and shed shells)
- Aquarium Co-Op: Amano Shrimp (larvae need salty water, escapes, competing with small shrimp for food, fish named as partners, avoid barbs)