What Temperature Should A Freshwater Shrimp Aquarium Be

By Eddie Waithaka @aquariawise

Keeping shrimp in a fish tank is almost as rewarding as having fish, plants, snails, inverts, or reptiles.

The best part is shrimp can accommodate shrimp-safe tankmates and are easy to maintain and breed.

However, shrimp have not been kept in home aquariums for long (compared to fish), so there is a lot of haze and debate regarding their preferred water parameters.

Perhaps one of the most contentious bits is the appropriate water temperature for shrimp. Keepers can’t seem to agree:

• What temperature range is appropriate (best) for shrimp
• Whether shrimp should be kept in cold or warm water
• And If you need a heater in your shrimp tank

Granted, I’ll answer these and a few more questions (like these ones) in this post.

Shrimp Fish Tank Temperature

Most shrimp species kept in fish tanks at home do best at temperatures anywhere from the mid-60s to low 70 degrees Fahrenheit (17 to 23 degrees Celcius), around the average room temperature in most places on earth. 76F (24C) is acceptable with fish in the same tank (as your shrimp) since most aquarium fish are tropical (and subtropical) and prefer a moderately heated tank.

Shrimp species native to temperate regions sustain lower temperature settings (some down to around 50F) and do best when keeping them with cold water fish, like zebra danios, weather loach, goldfish, Odessa barbs, and white cloud mountain minnows…

…but you will need to watch them closely.

Perhaps, also be keen on the minimum and maximum temperatures your shrimp can handle.

In my experience, you do not want your critters in a fish tank temperature above 77 degrees or below 60 degrees Fahrenheit unless you are convinced the shrimp you have will survive and thrive in those settings.

Having said that, please note that breeding shrimp prefer warm water, so if you believe yours are ready to reproduce, move them into a heated tank or add an aquarium heater to the one you already have.

See this table for the ideal fish tank water parameter for the average fish tank shrimp.

Do Shrimp Like Cold or Warm Water in A Fish Tank

As noted above, most shrimp are pretty hardy and will survive in a range of aquarium water temperatures. They can live in cold water tanks as low as 60 degrees F but will also endure a warm, 76F fish tank.

You only need to ensure the temperature in your aquarium does not get too low (sub 50 degrees F) or too high (above 76 degrees F). Erratic fluctuations in the water temperature are equally risky and should be avoided.

Also, take note of seasonality. During the summer months, you may want to turn your heater a few digits down (if you have one) and turn it up in the winter.

…and add a thermometer in your fish tank to help you keep tabs on your water temperature.

A thing I also do (and recommend) is small, frequent water changes instead of large ones that will more likely impact your water parameters, including the temperature. This will help keep your water within the stable range your shrimps are used to.

How Cold is Too Cold for Shrimp

Any sub-60 degrees Fahrenheit fish tank is cold for shrimp, but 50 is the minimum. Nonetheless, because their healthy range is 65 to 72, and keeping them within these readings seems to carry more benefits than on the extremes, you will want to maintain an average of 69F (or so) most of the year..

Your shrimp may allow you to go a little low on the temperature scale without much hassle, but only if you do not plan on breeding or raising them to their fullest potential.

Think of it as choosing to keep your fish and shrimp together.

They will co-exist for the most part, but sooner or later, most of your critters will turn into a snack or fail to live to their average natural lifespan.

However, with the average room temperature between the mid to high 60s and low 70s year-round, the 6 to 7-degree fluctuations should not be too much, even for ectothermic animals such as shrimp.

Does A Shrimp Tank Need A Heater

Aquarium shrimp will survive in a fish tank with or without a heater, so adding one (or not) is totally up to you. You may need to consider the average temperature in your aquarium without the heater, especially during colder months, but away from that, your shrimps should be ok.

In my case…

…the heater mostly comes into question when I want to breed my shrimp since research shows they reproduce more often in warmer water, plus the water temperature impacts offspring gender (some shrimp keepers are skeptical of the latter🧐🤥).

The only downside of using heaters in a shrimp tank is when you bump into a cheap, low-quality unit hard-set to a less-than-ideal temperature, ok for fish but too warm for your shrimp.

The result is usually a thriving shoal but a struggling and diminishing shrimp colony.

So be very keen when purchasing a filter for your fish tank.

Ideally, any good quality heater suited for a small fish tank will work in a shrimp tank, whether in-line or in-tank, though I prefer using Hygger, Eheim, Fluval or Aqueon units. All four are reputable and readily available even online.

Best Temperature for Breeding Shrimp

Freshwater shrimp will survive at room temperature, but if you want to breed them a higher setting, averaging 73.5 degrees F is advised. You will likely get better colors and an even number of male and female shrimp at that temperature because most species have temperature dependant sex determination.

Temperature near or above 78 will result in more than 80 percent of males and below 68 degrees more females.

A 73.5 temperature will give you a 50/50 balance of male and female shrimp once they hatch. More than 78 and less than 65 degrees will cause your shrimp to stop breeding.

Too low or high kH and gH may also stop breeding.

Now that is out of the way, here are a few more questions you may have on this topic.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

These questions come up pretty often in my local forums, so I thought it’s wise to address them!

(Red) Cherry Shrimp Temperature Range (in Celcius, Breeding)

The cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) is one part of the species I said can survive in a tank with cold water fish, at times even in temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celcius). The species is native to temperate China and was later introduced in Japan and Taiwan hence their ability to adapt to chilly waters.

Even so, their preferred average temperature (what is recommended) is 62 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 21 Degrees Celcius) year round, unless when breeding them.

If you want to keep shrimp in a fish tank without a heater, perhaps cherries are your safest bet. However, they do not pair well with fish. Your finnies will snack on most of them because they have small bodies that fit in most fish’s mouths.

Blue Shrimp Tank Temperature (in Celcius)

Blue shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. Blue) are a freshwater shrimp species that require specific water parameters to thrive. They prefer a temperature range of 68-78°F (20-25°C), but the ideal range is between 72-76°F (22-24°C).

The optimal pH range for blue shrimp is between 6.5-7.5, but sudden changes (even within this range) can harm your shrimp.

It’s best to maintain a stable pH level.

Blue shrimp are also sensitive to ammonia, nitrite, and chlorine levels. The ideal levels should be 0 to 0.25 ppm for ammonia and nitrite.

Nitrate levels should be kept below 20 ppm and chlorine less than 0.001 ppm.

Ghost Shrimp Tank Temperature (in Celcius)

Ghost shrimp are freshwater crustaceans that are relatively easy to care for. They prefer clean and well-oxygenated water with a neutral pH level, water temperature between 72-82°F (22-28°C), and a general hardness (GH) between 4-12 dGH.

Happy Fish Keeping🙋‍♀️!

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