Cherry Shrimp and Pea Puffer Compatibility Overview
Short answer: No. Pea puffers will eat cherry shrimp. Keep them in separate tanks, or pick one of the safer tank mates listed below.
Cherry Shrimp and Pea Puffer are generally not recommended to be housed together. Pea puffers will eat cherry shrimp. Review the behavior and water details before deciding whether to attempt the pairing.
| Factor | Cherry Shrimp | Pea Puffer | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 65–80°F | 74–82°F | ✅ 74–80°F |
| pH Range | 6.5–8.0 | 7.0–8.0 | ✅ 7.0–8.0 |
| Temperament | peaceful | semi | ⚠️ Monitor |
| Adult Size | 0.8 in | 1 in | ✅ Similar |
| Min. Group | 10+ | 1+ | See below |
| Min. Tank Size | 20 gallons (for both species) | — | |
Compatibility Positives
Incompatibility Reasons
Species Profiles
Cherry Shrimp — Neocaridina davidi
Bright red freshwater shrimp that are excellent algae cleaners. Very small — at risk from any fish large enough to eat them.
→ Full Cherry Shrimp care guide
Pea Puffer — Carinotetraodon travancoricus
World's smallest pufferfish — intensely territorial and nippy despite tiny size. Will attack fins and eat shrimp and snails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cherry Shrimp live with Pea Puffer?
Generally not recommended. Cherry Shrimp and Pea Puffer are generally not recommended to be housed together. Pea puffers will eat cherry shrimp. Review the behavior and water details before deciding whether to attempt the pairing.
What tank size do I need for Cherry Shrimp and Pea Puffer together?
A minimum of 20 gallons is recommended for keeping Cherry Shrimp and Pea Puffer together. A larger tank improves water stability and reduces territorial conflict.
What temperature suits both Cherry Shrimp and Pea Puffer?
74–80°F — inside Cherry Shrimp's 65–80°F and Pea Puffer's 74–82°F.
Is a Cherry Shrimp aggressive toward a Pea Puffer?
Cherry Shrimp is peaceful and Pea Puffer is semi. No major aggression issues are expected between these species.
Safer Tank Mates for Cherry Shrimp and Pea Puffer
The highest-scoring compatible partners for each species in our compatibility data.
For Cherry Shrimp
- Glowlight Danio — 96/100
- Nerite Snail — 96/100
- Pygmy Corydoras — 93/100
- Mystery Snail — 91/100
- Neon Tetra — 91/100
For Pea Puffer
- Threadfin Rainbowfish — 90/100
- Zebra Danio — 85/100
- Black Neon Tetra — 83/100
- Glowlight Tetra — 83/100
- Lemon Tetra — 83/100
Related Compatibility Guides
Tank Size for Cherry Shrimp and Pea Puffer
Use the scenario that matches the actual group sizes and temperament you plan to keep.
| Scenario | Tank | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum viable | 20 gal | Only for the recommended minimum groups, mature filtration, and close monitoring. |
| Recommended community | 29 gal | Adds territory, swimming room, and a safer buffer for behavior. |
| Low-conflict setup | 55 gal | Best when keeping larger schools or reducing territorial pressure. |