Can Cherry Barb live with Pinto Shrimp?
Caution — with care
Why
- Only a narrow temperature overlap — keep both around 73–74°F.
- Cherry Barb leaves adult Pinto Shrimp alone but eats the babies — the colony survives with plenty of cover.
Sweet spot: both do well at 73–74°F and pH 6–6.8 — aim there.
Side-by-side
| Cherry Barb | Pinto Shrimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 73–81°F | 68–74°F |
| pH | 6–7.5 | 5.8–6.8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 2–15 dGH | 3–6 dGH |
| Adult size | 2" | 1" |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Min tank | 15 gal | 5 gal |
Together, plan on at least 15 gallons.
How to make it work
- Target the overlapping water-parameter range and acclimate slowly.
- Keep a large, established shrimp colony in a heavily planted tank with moss and cover so enough survive to breed.
Sort it with: An adjustable heater → Chewy
Where to buy
- Cherry Barb: buy at Flip Aquatics · Flip Aquatics live-arrival guarantee
- Pinto Shrimp: 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 Cherry Barb · …with Pinto Shrimp