Can Blue Phantom Pleco live with Red Nose Shrimp?
Light caution
Why
- Blue Phantom Pleco is much larger than Red Nose 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 6–7 dGH.
Sweet spot: both do well at 75–82°F and pH 7–7.6 — aim there.
Side-by-side
| Blue Phantom Pleco | Red Nose Shrimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 75–82°F | 73–82°F |
| pH | 6.5–7.6 | 7–8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 5.5–7 dGH | 6–15 dGH |
| Adult size | 7" | 1.5" |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Min tank | 55 gal | 20 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
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Design a tank with Blue Phantom Pleco, Red Nose Shrimp →Everything compatible with Blue Phantom Pleco · …with Red Nose Shrimp