Cherry Shrimp Compatibility

[flix_cw]

Until recently I kept my Cherry shrimp in a separate tank to my danios (zebra and ocelot). I upgraded two weeks ago to a 15g tank and both the cherries and the danios are now in.

The cherries have become really very timid, hiding most of the time in a nook in some bogwood.

Any sinking food i've put in (wafers, pellets, shrimp cuisine) has been gobbled up by the danios before the shrimp can get to it. Any shrimp that get to the food are quickly bullied off by the danios.

As a result, the shrimp aren't getting much food (the tank is new and heavily planted, so v little algae. plus the shrimp are in no mood to look around for it) and the danios are getting overfed.

Should i never have mixed them in the first place?

 

[flix_cw]

Anyone? I need help!

 

[ZoddyZod]

danios and cherry shrimp can live together just fine, but you your concerns with them getting enough food is probably correct.

Have you tried placing some of the food into the 'heavily planted' areas? I've always found that danios are a bit useless fidning food if it isn't very obviously on show. If it's hidden, then the shrimp will have a greater chance of getting to it first.

 

[Gilli]

Danios are pigs, and also fast pigs! My advise would be to drop some food in at night when the tank lights are off and the danios less active. Also try algae wafers as they are harder to gobble up quickly!

 

[flix_cw]

My danios must be particularly greedy and crafty!

They'll wriggle into any nook for a nibble, and although algae wafers last longer, they will just keep at it until its all gone, barging any shrimps off in the process. I'm a bit concerned since their bellies are getting HUGE!

I turn the lights off and when I come back they're all on the substrate hunting and pecking.