Can Blue Velvet Shrimp live with Bolivian Ram?
Caution — with care
Why
- Bolivian Ram is one of the animals to keep away from a breeding shrimp colony — either it hunts them, or it out-competes and harasses them until the colony stops replacing itself. A Blue Velvet Shrimp colony will not hold its numbers.
- Bolivian Ram is 3.5× the length of Blue Velvet Shrimp and big enough to swallow one. Some keepers get away with it in a heavily planted tank; it is a real risk.
- Bolivian Ram will eat Blue Velvet Shrimp shrimplets. The colony still grows if there is moss or another dense hiding place for the babies.
Sweet spot: both do well at 72–78°F and pH 6.5–7.5 — aim there.
Side-by-side
| Blue Velvet Shrimp | Bolivian Ram | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 65–78°F | 72–79°F |
| pH | 6.5–7.8 | 6–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 4–14 dGH | 6–15 dGH |
| Adult size | 1" | 3.5" |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Min tank | 5 gal | 30 gal |
Together, plan on at least 30 gallons.
How to make it work
- Keep a large, established shrimp colony in a heavily planted tank with moss and cover so enough survive to breed.
- Add only full-grown adults — never juveniles, which will be eaten.
Sort it with: A larger tank · GH remineraliser
Where to buy
- Blue Velvet Shrimp: buy at The Shrimp Farm · The Shrimp Farm live-arrival guarantee
Live-animal shipping: add a heat pack below 50°F, expect weather holds above 90°F, and schedule delivery for a moderate week when someone can receive it promptly.
Design the whole tank, not just the stocking
Skapelab plans a complete, buildable planted aquarium around your fish — a hand-illustrated layout, the exact plants and hardscape, a placement map, and a full equipment and shopping list. Free.
Design a tank with Blue Velvet Shrimp, Bolivian Ram →Everything compatible with Blue Velvet Shrimp · …with Bolivian Ram