Can Bee Shrimp (Crystal Red / Black) and Lima Shovelnose Catfish Live Together?

Bee Shrimp (Crystal Red / Black) is a peaceful species (0/10), while Lima Shovelnose Catfish is generally mild-mannered (4/10). This notable difference means Lima Shovelnose Catfish may occasionally assert dominance over Bee Shrimp (Crystal Red / Black).

Bee Shrimp (Crystal Red / Black) and Lima Shovelnose Catfish both frequent the Bottom (Substrate) and Middle (Open Water) 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.

Worth noting: Lima Shovelnose Catfish is nocturnal and will be most active after lights-out, naturally reducing daytime encounters. Also, Lima Shovelnose Catfish is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 23°C and 24°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 23.5°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6 and 6.8. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 4–6 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Bee Shrimp (Crystal Red / Black) and Lima Shovelnose Catfish together, plan for an aquarium of at least 500 litres with a minimum length of 150 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, Plants - Densely covered, Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Leaf Litter/Blackwater, Established Algae (Otocinclus), Sand (Sifters), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Plants - Floating. Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Note a potential conflict in setup requirements: Bee Shrimp (Crystal Red / Black) requires Soil / Nutrient Rich, while Lima Shovelnose Catfish requires Sand (Sifters). These substrate types may be difficult to provide simultaneously. Bee Shrimp (Crystal Red / Black) requires Soil / Nutrient Rich, while Lima Shovelnose Catfish requires Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels). 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 (Crystal Red / Black) and Lima Shovelnose Catfish 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. Lima Shovelnose Catfish is a known shrimp eater and may prey on small invertebrates or nano fish like Bee Shrimp (Crystal Red / Black).