Can Brown Hoplo Catfish and Orange Delight Shrimp Live Together?

Ideal Tank Mates

Yes, Brown Hoplo Catfish and Orange Delight Shrimp are ideal tank mates. Both species share compatible water parameters and peaceful temperaments, making them well-suited for a community aquarium. A minimum tank size of 200 litres is recommended.


At a Glance

Brown Hoplo Catfish

Hoplosternum littorale

Orange Delight Shrimp

Caridina loehae

🐠Family Group
Brown Hoplo Catfish
Catfish
Orange Delight Shrimp
Invertebrates
Temperament
Brown Hoplo Catfish
Peaceful (2/10)
Orange Delight Shrimp
Peaceful (0/10)
Temperature
✓ Compatible
Brown Hoplo Catfish
18–28°C
Orange Delight Shrimp
26–29°C
pH Range
✓ Compatible
Brown Hoplo Catfish
6–8
Orange Delight Shrimp
7.5–8.5
Hardness (dGH)
✓ Compatible
Brown Hoplo Catfish
4–20
Orange Delight Shrimp
4–8
Water Type
✓ Compatible
Brown Hoplo Catfish
Freshwater Only
Orange Delight Shrimp
Freshwater Only
Flow Preference
✓ Compatible
Brown Hoplo Catfish
Low
Orange Delight Shrimp
Low
Min Tank Volume
Combined: 200 L
Brown Hoplo Catfish
200 L
Orange Delight Shrimp
38 L
Swimming Level
Shared: 1 zone
Brown Hoplo Catfish
BottomMiddle
Orange Delight Shrimp
Bottom
🏷️Behavior Tags
Brown Hoplo Catfish
Hyperactive / Fast SwimmerDigger (Disturbs Substrate)Plant DestroyerFry PredatorJumper (Lid Required)
Orange Delight Shrimp
Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk)
Stocking calculator

Can your tank handle Brown Hoplo Catfish and Orange Delight Shrimp?

Compatibility is only part of the answer. Test both fish with your real tank size, current stock, and maintenance needs to see if you have enough space and a safe stocking level before you add them.

Brown Hoplo Catfish
Orange Delight Shrimp
Test both in my tank

Behaviour & Temperament

Brown Hoplo Catfish is a peaceful species (2/10), while Orange Delight Shrimp is peaceful (0/10). This modest difference means Brown Hoplo Catfish may occasionally assert dominance over Orange Delight Shrimp.

Brown Hoplo Catfish and Orange Delight Shrimp 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.

Worth noting: Brown Hoplo Catfish is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

Water Parameters

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 26°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 27.0°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 7.5 and 8. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 4–8 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

Tank Setup

To house Brown Hoplo Catfish and Orange Delight Shrimp together, plan for an aquarium of at least 200 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: Sand (Sifters), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Established Algae (Otocinclus). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

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

Suitable Tank Sizes

Standard aquarium sizes large enough for both Brown Hoplo Catfish and Orange Delight Shrimp.

Show 5 more tank sizes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Brown Hoplo Catfish and Orange Delight Shrimp live together?

Yes. Brown Hoplo Catfish and Orange Delight Shrimp are considered ideal tank mates. Their water parameters, temperaments, and behaviour profiles are well matched for a community aquarium.

What size tank do Brown Hoplo Catfish and Orange Delight Shrimp need?

A minimum of 200 litres (tank length at least 120 cm) is recommended. This provides enough space for both species to establish their own areas and reduces the likelihood of territorial disputes.

What water temperature is best for Brown Hoplo Catfish and Orange Delight Shrimp together?

Keep the aquarium between 26°C and 28°C. A target of around 27.0°C sits comfortably within both species' preferred ranges.

Are Brown Hoplo Catfish or Orange Delight Shrimp aggressive?

Brown Hoplo Catfish is peaceful (2/10) and Orange Delight Shrimp is peaceful (0/10). Their similar temperaments generally lead to a peaceful coexistence.

What pH do Brown Hoplo Catfish and Orange Delight Shrimp need?

Both species overlap in the 7.5–8 pH range. Consistency is key — avoid sudden swings, and test regularly to stay within this window.


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