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Compatibility

Compatibility brief

Can Cherry Shrimp live with Clown Killifish?

Cherry Shrimp

Cherry Shrimp

Neocaridina davidi

peaceful~2.5cm
Clown Killifish

Clown Killifish

Epiplatys annulatus

peaceful~3.5cm
VerdictGOOD

Often a workable match in a suitable, well-run tank. Still verify behaviour in your setup.

One of the few surface fish that genuinely works in a shrimp tank. Adult clown killis ignore adult cherries entirely. Shrimplets in open water are still at risk, but in a planted nano the colony grows.

Compatibility score

100/100

Profile confidence: medium

Order of checkstank volume vs adults → predation mouth gap → temperament / fin nipping → shared water windows.

Min tank

20L

Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 20L (larger active fish often want more length).

Temperature
Range in °C22–28°C shared
Cherry ShrimpClown KillifishShared window
pH
Range6.5–7 shared
Cherry ShrimpClown KillifishShared window
Temperament / behaviour

This is a classic shrimp-tank surface pairing. Clown killifish stay at the top while cherry shrimp work plants and hardscape below. Adult killifish mouths are too small to treat adult cherries as food, and the water-column overlap is minimal. The limit is shrimplets in open water: tiny juveniles near the surface can still be picked off. Dense planting and a proper killifish group keep the tank workable without turning it into a predator setup.

Assessment details

  1. Known compatible pairing

    One of the few surface fish that genuinely works in a shrimp tank. Adult clown killis ignore adult cherries entirely. Shrimplets in open water are still at risk, but in a planted nano the colony grows.

  2. Compatible temperature range

    Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.

  3. Data or identification limits

    Top issue

    Source coverage is thin for at least one profile. Treat this as planning guidance, not a guarantee.

“Source coverage is thin for at least one profile”

Data or identification limits

Next steps

Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.

  • •Stock six or more clown killifish, keep heavy cover for the shrimp colony, and feed micro foods at the surface so the killifish are not hunting shrimplets out of hunger.
  • •Cherry Shrimp should be kept in a group of at least 10 for best health and behaviour.
  • •Clown Killifish should be kept in a group of at least 6 for best health and behaviour.
Sources from both profiles
Only URLs that exist on the species records are shown. We do not fabricate citations.

Try this next

Build the full stocking list with Cherry Shrimp + Clown Killifish

Compare another pairOpen tank builder

Plan further

Check each species’ mates list, size the glass, then verify the full stock in the builder. Methodology explains how verdicts are produced.

Individual fish vary in personality. Fishori uses conservative hobby rules. Observe any new introduction closely, feed thoughtfully, and keep a quarantine or backup plan. This is not veterinary advice.

Profile data confidence: medium. Typical care sources — real tanks still vary.

Full tank-mate guides

Related pair checks

Other tank mates for Cherry Shrimp

Cherry Shrimp + Clown Killifish — common questions

Can Cherry Shrimp live with Clown Killifish?
Usually yes. Fishori’s verdict is GOOD for a planted shrimp tank with surface killifish. Adult cherries are generally left alone; give shrimplets dense cover because open-water juveniles can still be taken.
What tank size do you need for Cherry Shrimp and Clown Killifish together?
Plan around 20 litres as the working minimum. That figure comes from each species' published minimum and their group needs, and it assumes adult sizes, not shop sizes.
What's the main risk?
Data or identification limits. That is the first thing to plan around. The matching entry under assessment details on this page explains the reasoning and the numbers behind it.
What should you check before buying?
Cherry Shrimp should be kept in a group of at least 10 for best health and behaviour. Clown Killifish should be kept in a group of at least 6 for best health and behaviour.