Can Pinto Shrimp live with Dwarf Crayfish (CPO)?
Caution — with care
Why
- Dwarf Crayfish (CPO) is one of the animals to keep away from a breeding shrimp colony — either it hunts them, or it out-competes and harasses them until the colony stops replacing itself. A Pinto Shrimp colony will not hold its numbers.
- No overlapping pH: Pinto Shrimp wants 5.8–6.8 but Dwarf Crayfish (CPO) wants 7–8.
- Dwarf Crayfish (CPO) 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 6–6 dGH.
Side-by-side
| Pinto Shrimp | Dwarf Crayfish (CPO) | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 68–74°F | 65–79°F |
| pH | 5.8–6.8 | 7–8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 3–6 dGH | 6–15 dGH |
| Adult size | 1" | 1.75" |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Min tank | 5 gal | 10 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
Where to buy
- Dwarf Crayfish (CPO): buy at The Shrimp Farm · The Shrimp Farm 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.
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 Pinto Shrimp, Dwarf Crayfish (CPO) →Everything compatible with Pinto Shrimp · …with Dwarf Crayfish (CPO)