Can Ghost Shrimp live with Sailfin Molly?
Caution — with care
Why
- Sailfin Molly is 3.3× the length of Ghost Shrimp and big enough to swallow one. Some keepers get away with it in a heavily planted tank; it is a real risk.
Sweet spot: both do well at 68–82°F and pH 7.5–8 — aim there.
Side-by-side
| Ghost Shrimp | Sailfin Molly | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 65–82°F | 68–82°F |
| pH | 6.5–8 | 7.5–8.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 5–15 dGH | 12–30 dGH |
| Adult size | 1.5" | 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
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 Ghost Shrimp, Sailfin Molly →Everything compatible with Ghost Shrimp · …with Sailfin Molly