Can Blue Velvet Shrimp live with King Tiger Pleco?
Caution — with care
Why
- No overlapping temperature: Blue Velvet Shrimp wants 65–78°F but King Tiger Pleco wants 79–86°F.
- Only a narrow water hardness overlap — keep both around 5.5–7 dGH.
Side-by-side
| Blue Velvet Shrimp | King Tiger Pleco | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 65–78°F | 79–86°F |
| pH | 6.5–7.8 | 6.5–7.6 |
| Hardness (GH) | 4–14 dGH | 5.5–7 dGH |
| Adult size | 1" | 6" |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Min tank | 5 gal | 55 gal |
Together, plan on at least 55 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.
- Target the overlapping water-parameter range and acclimate slowly.
Sort it with: An adjustable heater → Chewy GH remineraliser → Aquarium Co-Op
Where to buy
- Blue Velvet Shrimp: buy at Flip Aquatics · Flip Aquatics live-arrival guarantee
- King Tiger Pleco: buy at Flip Aquatics · Flip Aquatics 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.
Build a full tank around this stocking →Everything compatible with Blue Velvet Shrimp · …with King Tiger Pleco