Can Orange Delight Shrimp and Sulphur Crest Lithobates Live Together?

Reviewed by Guidarium Editorial DeskUpdated May 7, 2026
Not Recommended

Orange Delight Shrimp and Sulphur Crest Lithobates are not recommended as tank mates due to incompatible hardness ranges. Housing these species together is likely to result in stress, health problems, or direct harm to one or both fish.


At a Glance

Orange Delight Shrimp

Caridina loehae

Sulphur Crest Lithobates

Otopharynx lithobates

🐠Family Group
Orange Delight Shrimp
Invertebrates
Sulphur Crest Lithobates
Cichlids - African
Temperament
Orange Delight Shrimp
Peaceful (0/10)
Sulphur Crest Lithobates
Semi-Aggressive (6/10)
Temperature
✓ Compatible
Orange Delight Shrimp
26–29°C
Sulphur Crest Lithobates
24–28°C
pH Range
✓ Compatible
Orange Delight Shrimp
7.5–8.5
Sulphur Crest Lithobates
7.8–8.6
Hardness (dGH)
✗ No overlap
Orange Delight Shrimp
4–8
Sulphur Crest Lithobates
10–25
Water Type
✓ Compatible
Orange Delight Shrimp
Freshwater Only
Sulphur Crest Lithobates
Freshwater Only
Flow Preference
✓ Compatible
Orange Delight Shrimp
Low
Sulphur Crest Lithobates
Moderate
Min Tank Volume
Combined: 250 L
Orange Delight Shrimp
38 L
Sulphur Crest Lithobates
250 L
Swimming Level
Shared: 1 zone
Orange Delight Shrimp
Bottom
Sulphur Crest Lithobates
MiddleBottom
🏷️Behavior Tags
Orange Delight Shrimp
Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk)
Sulphur Crest Lithobates
Territorial (Defends specific area)Aggressive to same species/look-alikesFry Predator
Stocking calculator

Can your tank handle Orange Delight Shrimp and Sulphur Crest Lithobates?

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.

Orange Delight Shrimp
Sulphur Crest Lithobates
Test both in my tank

Behaviour & Temperament

Orange Delight Shrimp is a peaceful species (0/10), while Sulphur Crest Lithobates is moderately assertive (6/10). This notable difference means Sulphur Crest Lithobates may occasionally assert dominance over Orange Delight Shrimp.

Large aggression gap (6 points) between Orange Delight Shrimp and Sulphur Crest Lithobates increases stress risk for the more peaceful fish.

Orange Delight Shrimp and Sulphur Crest Lithobates 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.

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 7.8 and 8.5. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

Hardness requirements are incompatible: Orange Delight Shrimp needs 4–8 dGH while Sulphur Crest Lithobates requires 10–25 dGH.

Tank Setup

To house Orange Delight Shrimp and Sulphur Crest Lithobates together, plan for an aquarium of at least 250 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.

Why This Pairing Usually Fails in Practice

Orange Delight Shrimp and Sulphur Crest Lithobates 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.

Suitable Tank Sizes

Standard aquarium sizes large enough for both Orange Delight Shrimp and Sulphur Crest Lithobates.

Show 1 more tank size

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Orange Delight Shrimp and Sulphur Crest Lithobates live together?

No. This combination is not recommended. Key incompatibilities — such as critical behavioural conflicts — make cohabitation unsafe.

What size tank do Orange Delight Shrimp and Sulphur Crest Lithobates need?

A minimum of 250 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 Orange Delight Shrimp and Sulphur Crest Lithobates 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 Orange Delight Shrimp or Sulphur Crest Lithobates aggressive?

Orange Delight Shrimp is peaceful (0/10) and Sulphur Crest Lithobates is moderately assertive (6/10). The gap in aggression levels means the calmer fish may experience stress from the more assertive one.

What pH do Orange Delight Shrimp and Sulphur Crest Lithobates need?

Both species overlap in the 7.8–8.5 pH range. Consistency is key — avoid sudden swings, and test regularly to stay within this window.

How do I manage Sulphur Crest Lithobates's territorial behaviour?

Provide line-of-sight breaks using rocks, driftwood, and dense planting. A larger tank gives Sulphur Crest Lithobates space to claim a territory without encroaching on the other fish's area. Adding décor that divides the tank into distinct zones works especially well.

Editorial Review

Guidarium Editorial Desk

Reviewed against Guidarium care, stocking, and compatibility standards. Read the editorial policy.

Last reviewed
May 7, 2026
Last updated
May 7, 2026
Issues or corrections?
Contact the editorial team

Related Comparisons

Orange Delight Shrimp & Apple Snail

·

Possible with Caution
Orange Delight Shrimp: PeacefulApple Snail: Peaceful

Orange Delight Shrimp & Assassin Snail

·

Possible with Caution
Orange Delight Shrimp: PeacefulAssassin Snail: Peaceful

Orange Delight Shrimp & Bladder Snail (Pest Snail)

·

Ideal Tank Mates
Orange Delight Shrimp: PeacefulBladder Snail (Pest Snail): Peaceful

Orange Delight Shrimp & Blue Pearl Shrimp

·

Ideal Tank Mates
Orange Delight Shrimp: PeacefulBlue Pearl Shrimp: Peaceful

Orange Delight Shrimp & Brown Camo Shrimp

·

Possible with Caution
Orange Delight Shrimp: PeacefulBrown Camo Shrimp: Peaceful

Orange Delight Shrimp & Cardinal Shrimp (Sulawesi)

·

Ideal Tank Mates
Orange Delight Shrimp: PeacefulCardinal Shrimp (Sulawesi): Peaceful

Sulphur Crest Lithobates & Afra Cichlid

·

Possible with Caution
Sulphur Crest Lithobates: PeacefulAfra Cichlid: Peaceful

Sulphur Crest Lithobates & African Jewel Cichlid

·

Not Recommended
Sulphur Crest Lithobates: PeacefulAfrican Jewel Cichlid: Peaceful

Sulphur Crest Lithobates & Altolamprologus Calvus

·

Possible with Caution
Sulphur Crest Lithobates: PeacefulAltolamprologus Calvus: Peaceful

Sulphur Crest Lithobates & Altolamprologus Compressiceps

·

Possible with Caution
Sulphur Crest Lithobates: PeacefulAltolamprologus Compressiceps: Peaceful

Sulphur Crest Lithobates & Aurora Yellow Mbuna

·

Possible with Caution
Sulphur Crest Lithobates: PeacefulAurora Yellow Mbuna: Peaceful

Sulphur Crest Lithobates & Black Diamond Cichlid

·

Possible with Caution
Sulphur Crest Lithobates: PeacefulBlack Diamond Cichlid: Peaceful