Can Guppy live with Pinto Shrimp?
Caution — with care
Why
- No overlapping water hardness: Guppy wants 8–20 dGH but Pinto Shrimp wants 3–6 dGH.
- Guppy is roughly twice the length of Pinto Shrimp. Adults are usually left alone in a well-planted tank, but the odd one gets taken.
- Guppy will eat Pinto Shrimp shrimplets. The colony still grows if there is moss or another dense hiding place for the babies.
- Only a narrow pH overlap — keep both around 6.8–6.8.
Sweet spot: both do well at 72–74°F and pH 6.8–6.8 — aim there.
Side-by-side
| Guppy | Pinto Shrimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–82°F | 68–74°F |
| pH | 6.8–7.8 | 5.8–6.8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 8–20 dGH | 3–6 dGH |
| Adult size | 2" | 1" |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Min tank | 10 gal | 5 gal |
Together, plan on at least 10 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: GH remineraliser · A larger tank
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Design a tank with Guppy, Pinto Shrimp →Everything compatible with Guppy · …with Pinto Shrimp