VAMPIRE CRAB TANK MATES - SHRIMP
Vampire Crab Tank Mates - Shrimp
Creating an ecosystem is a delicate balancing act, especially when it comes to choosing suitable tank mates for different species. Something that comes up a lot in the hobby is keeping shrimp and Geosesarma Vampire Crabs together. So in this article, we will discuss the compatibility of shrimp and vampire crabs, based on my personal experiences and anecdotal evidence from a long study period with these two species in a specially designed vampire crab tank (Paludarium)
THE EXPERIMENT - Shrimp & Vampire Crabs
Over the course of 10 months, I conducted an experiment by keeping two male cherry shrimp in the water section of my main tank, alongside over 50 vampire crabs. The tank’s water area dimensions were 6 cm deep, 17 cm wide, and 100 cm long. This didn't actually start as an experiment as it's best to keep shrimp I bigger colonies. However, these two hitched hiked between tanks on some Salvinia and were almost impossible to catch in the dense ecosystem. So they became part of the environment.
To my surprise, the shrimp not only survived but thrived alongside the crabs. After 10 months both shrimp were still alive and had grown to full size. They were also doing a fantastic job of keeping the water area nice and clean with the assistance of ramshorn snails.
Keeping Shrimp with Vampire Crabs
Vampire crabs are known to be opportunistic predators, and their instinct is to catch and consume small aquatic creatures. The crabs in my tank made numerous attempts to catch and eat the shrimp. However, the shrimp’s exceptional speed and agility allowed them to evade the crabs’ predatory advances successfully.
So how does this work? Well, putting it simply, the crabs are just too slow for the shrimp. When a crab tries to pounce on a shrimp or catch it with its claws the shrimp simply flicks away at lightning speed. While this is the case 99% of the time, the crabs will eventually get lucky and catch shrimp. they will also target weak or sick shrimp, which isn’t a bad thing. overall though you’re more than likely to lose shrimp to other factors rather than vampire crab predation.
Keeping Vampire Crabs with Shrimp
SYMBIOTIC BEHAVIOUR (KIND OF)
In a rather interesting display of inter-species interaction, the shrimp even engaged in cleaning behaviours with the vampire crabs. Sometimes, the crabs would allow the shrimp to climb onto their backs and even claws before making any movements. This behaviour seems quite peace and both species can and do coexistence well but you should always know that shrimp are constantly on the menu! One mistake and they are food!
Geosesarma vampire crab eating a meal worm
SHRIMP SURVIVAL RATES
Based on my observations, shrimp have proven to be 100% safe with vampire crabs, even in tanks without dense planting. The shrimp’s agility and speed provide them with a considerable advantage over the crabs’ attempts to catch them. While it is possible that the crabs might eventually catch a weaker or slower shrimp, the overall survival rate for shrimp in the presence of vampire crabs appears to be extremely high. The only real instance I can see where crabs will eat shrimp is if they are sick dying or already dead.
Keeping vampire crabs with shrimp tutorial
OTHER TANKS MATES FOR VAMPIRE CRABS?
While shrimp seem to fare well with vampire crabs, other aquatic species aren’t so lucky. Slowly fish like guppies and long-finned betta fish are easily targeted by vampire crabs. This is partly because they are slow and partly because they have lost a lot of their fear having been raised in captivity for so many generations. If you haven't already read our Vampire Crab Care Guide I highly suggest doing so!