Can Discus live with Vampire Shrimp?
Caution — with care
Why
- Only a narrow water hardness overlap — keep both around 6–8 dGH.
- Discus eats dwarf shrimp, but Vampire Shrimp grows to 6" — big enough to be safe with dense cover.
Sweet spot: both do well at 82–84°F and pH 6.5–7 — aim there.
Side-by-side
| Discus | Vampire Shrimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 82–88°F | 75–84°F |
| pH | 5.5–7 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 1–8 dGH | 6–15 dGH |
| Adult size | 8" | 6" |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Min tank | 55 gal | 30 gal |
Together, plan on at least 55 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: GH remineraliser → Aquarium Co-Op
Where to buy
- Discus: buy at Flip Aquatics · Flip Aquatics live-arrival guarantee
- Vampire 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 Discus · …with Vampire Shrimp