Can cherry shrimp live with tinfoil barbs?
Verdict
No
No. Cherry shrimp and tinfoil barbs should not share a tank. A tinfoil barb is big enough to swallow adult cherry shrimp.
What to watch
- Deal breakerA tinfoil barb is big enough to swallow adult cherry shrimp.
- Watch outTinfoil barbs grow to 12 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for cherry shrimp.
What works
- Both are fine at 72–80°F.
- pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: cherry shrimp the bottom, tinfoil barbs the mid.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Cherry shrimp | Tinfoil barb | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 65–80 °F | 72–80 °F |
| pH | 6.5–8 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 1.5 in | 12.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 5 gal | 125 gal |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Bottom | Middle |
| Group | Groups of 6+ | Groups of 5+ |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
Better tank mates for cherry shrimp
Mystery snailYes
CorydorasYes
Kuhli loachYes
Amano shrimpYes
Celestial pearl danioYes
Endler's livebearerYes
Better tank mates for tinfoil barbs
Questions
Can cherry shrimp live with tinfoil barbs?
No. Cherry shrimp and tinfoil barbs should not share a tank. A tinfoil barb is big enough to swallow adult cherry shrimp.
What temperature suits both cherry shrimp and tinfoil barbs?
72–80 °F. Cherry shrimp need 65–80 °F, tinfoil barbs need 72–80 °F.
What size tank do cherry shrimp and tinfoil barbs need together?
At least 125 gal, set by the tinfoil barb. Add space for each extra fish.