Can Pinto Shrimp live with Pitbull Pleco?
Light caution
Why
- Pitbull Pleco is much larger than Pinto Shrimp but is not a shrimp hunter — it may take a shrimplet or clean up a moult. Adults are safe with cover.
- Pitbull Pleco will eat Pinto Shrimp shrimplets. The colony still grows if there is moss or another dense hiding place for the babies.
- Only a narrow water hardness overlap — keep both around 4–6 dGH.
Sweet spot: both do well at 72–74°F and pH 6–6.8 — aim there.
Side-by-side
| Pinto Shrimp | Pitbull Pleco | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 68–74°F | 72–79°F |
| pH | 5.8–6.8 | 6–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 3–6 dGH | 4–12 dGH |
| Adult size | 1" | 2.5" |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Min tank | 5 gal | 20 gal |
Together, plan on at least 20 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: A larger tank · GH remineraliser
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Design a tank with Pinto Shrimp, Pitbull Pleco →Everything compatible with Pinto Shrimp · …with Pitbull Pleco