Can Blue Phantom Pleco live with Flower Shrimp?
Light caution
Why
- Blue Phantom Pleco is much larger than Flower Shrimp but is not a shrimp hunter — it may take a shrimplet or clean up a moult. Adults are safe with cover.
- Only a narrow water hardness overlap — keep both around 5.5–7 dGH.
Sweet spot: both do well at 75–79°F and pH 6.5–7.5 — aim there.
Side-by-side
| Blue Phantom Pleco | Flower Shrimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 75–82°F | 68–79°F |
| pH | 6.5–7.6 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 5.5–7 dGH | 5–12 dGH |
| Adult size | 7" | 2.5" |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Min tank | 55 gal | 30 gal |
Together, plan on at least 55 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
Design the whole tank, not just the stocking
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Design a tank with Blue Phantom Pleco, Flower Shrimp →Everything compatible with Blue Phantom Pleco · …with Flower Shrimp