Aphyosemion australe killifish community tank (with shrimp) viability

[JoshuaPearce]

Hi everyone! I have found myself now living in Europe from the states for a couple of years and had to get a tank again. I have a 240L (63 gallons) tank that I am heavily planting. I currently have many younger Congo and rummy nose tetras with kuhli loaches on the way.

I have kept Aphyosemion australe in the past as most do in small breeding tanks but only briefly for breeding before I moved and had to sell my fish off.

My main question is has anyone personally kept them in a community tank successfully? Since I often never see it I'm wondering is aggression would be an issue. I also want to keep red cherry shrimp in this tank once the plants start to grow out but know the killifish have pretty large mouths. I have seen a random Youtube video where they are kept with RCS but this could of been moments before murder. The internet has their opinions but I would like some first hand experience if possible. If nobody has tried it, I'll be the guinea pig and we all can learn!

With orange being my favorite color I think these are some of the most amazing looking fish and wish I saw them in setups that aren't bare bottom with spawning mops. Please let me know if you have actually kept them in similar setups. Thank you so much!

TLDR; Will orange killis killi all the skrimps?

 

[TheresaM]

A couple of years ago I kept a pair with black neons, no issues. Managed to save one fry who lived in my 20 long community with small (less than 1") amano shrimp. Australe almost always stayed in the top portion of the tank and I never lost any shrimp. 

[JoshuaPearce]

3 hours ago, TheresaM said:

A couple of years ago I kept a pair with black neons, no issues. Managed to save one fry who lived in my 20 long community with small (less than 1") amano shrimp. Australe almost always stayed in the top portion of the tank and I never lost any shrimp. 

Oh thats amazing! Thank you for the info, I really appreciate it :)

[TheresaM]

8 hours ago, JoshuaPearce said:

Oh thats amazing! Thank you for the info, I really appreciate it 🙂

You're welcome, and good luck! 

[Schuyler]

Fish in the Aphyosemion genus are generally safe in a community tank. Make sure they get food though because they get hangry and then nippy.

If you have a lot of plants and well established shrimp population it could work out but it's hit or miss with australes being shrimp safe. I would say it's risky.

[JoshuaPearce]

5 hours ago, Schuyler said:

Fish in the Aphyosemion genus are generally safe in a community tank. Make sure they get food though because they get hangry and then nippy.

If you have a lot of plants and well established shrimp population it could work out but it's hit or miss with australes being shrimp safe. I would say it's risky.

Okay great thank you I really appreciate the information! I'll have to update with pictures once the tank is more established.