Can firemouth cichlids live with bamboo shrimp?

Verdict
Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Firemouth cichlids and bamboo shrimp can share a tank, but watch one thing. Firemouth cichlids will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give bamboo shrimp somewhere to hide.

Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid75–86°F · pH 6.5–8 Bamboo shrimpBamboo shrimp72–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 75–82°Firemouth cichlid 75–86°Bamboo shrimp 72–82°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Firemouth cichlid 6.5–8Bamboo shrimp 6.5–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Firemouth cichlid · 6 inBamboo shrimp · 3 in0"1"2"3"4"5"6"
Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

Firemouth cichlidBamboo shrimp
Temperature75–86 °F72–82 °F
pH6.5–86.5–7.5
Adult size6.0 in3.0 in
Minimum tank30 gal20 gal
TemperamentSemi-aggressivePeaceful
Swims atBottomBottom
GroupAlone or in pairsAlone or in pairs
DietOmnivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for firemouth cichlids

All firemouth cichlid tank mates

Better tank mates for bamboo shrimp

All bamboo shrimp tank mates

Questions

Can firemouth cichlids live with bamboo shrimp?

Yes, with care. Firemouth cichlids and bamboo shrimp can share a tank, but watch one thing. Firemouth cichlids will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give bamboo shrimp somewhere to hide.

What temperature suits both firemouth cichlids and bamboo shrimp?

75–82 °F. Firemouth cichlids need 75–86 °F, bamboo shrimp need 72–82 °F.

What size tank do firemouth cichlids and bamboo shrimp need together?

At least 30 gal, set by the firemouth cichlid. Add space for each extra fish.