Can Bee Shrimp and Redear Sunfish Live Together?

Bee Shrimp is a peaceful species (0/10), while Redear Sunfish is moderately assertive (6/10). This notable difference means Redear Sunfish may occasionally assert dominance over Bee Shrimp.

Large aggression gap (6 points) between Bee Shrimp and Redear Sunfish increases stress risk for the more peaceful fish.

Bee Shrimp and Redear Sunfish both frequent the Bottom (Substrate) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

There is a critical concern: the Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk) behaviour of one fish directly conflicts with the Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish) trait of the other — piscivorous fish will prey on nano-sized tank mates..

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Shrimp eaters may also prey on very small nano fish.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 20°C and 24°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 22.0°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6.5 and 6.8. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

Hardness requirements are incompatible: Bee Shrimp needs 3–6 dGH while Redear Sunfish requires 8–20 dGH.

To house Bee Shrimp and Redear Sunfish together, plan for an aquarium of at least 280 litres with a minimum length of 120 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Soil / Nutrient Rich, Leaf Litter/Blackwater, Plants - Densely covered, Sand (Sifters), Shells (Breeding/Hiding). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Note a potential conflict in setup requirements: Bee Shrimp requires Soil / Nutrient Rich, while Redear Sunfish requires Sand (Sifters). These substrate types may be difficult to provide simultaneously. Compromise where possible or prioritise the more critical need.

Both species do well with low (still water) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.

Bee Shrimp and Redear Sunfish are the kind of pair that can look acceptable in a shop but become a maintenance problem at home. The main risk is not a single number in the chart; it is the way incompatible behavior, water needs, or pressure on space compounds over time once both fish are established in the same tank.

Feeding time deserves special attention with this pairing. Redear Sunfish is a known shrimp eater and may prey on small invertebrates or nano fish like Bee Shrimp.