Best Aquarium Plants for Shrimp Tanks

Shrimp tanks live and die by their plant selection. The right plants provide biofilm grazing surfaces, hiding spots for moulting shrimp, visual cover for shy individuals, and biological filtration. The wrong plants — large, aggressive growers — can crowd out shrimp and make the tank difficult to maintain.

Here are the best aquarium plants for shrimp tanks at every skill level.

What Shrimp Need From Plants

• Biofilm surface area: Shrimp constantly graze on biofilm that grows on plant surfaces. Fine-leaved plants and mosses offer far more surface area per square centimetre than broad-leaved species.
• Cover for moulting: Shrimp are vulnerable immediately after moulting. Dense moss and fine-leaved plants give them somewhere to hide.
• Shade and structure: Floating plants filter light and create the dappled, natural environment shrimp prefer.

Best Plants for Shrimp Tanks

1. Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri)

Java moss is the single most shrimp-friendly plant in the hobby. Its dense, tangled structure provides unlimited grazing surface and cover. It grows in virtually any lighting condition and requires no CO2 or fertiliser. Tie it to driftwood or rocks, or allow it to carpet the substrate.

Difficulty: Very easy | Light: Low | CO2: Not required

2. Bucephalandra

Bucephalandra are slow-growing, jewel-like plants from Borneo that thrive in the same low-pH, soft-water conditions preferred by caridina shrimp. Their small, thick leaves accumulate biofilm quickly and provide excellent grazing. Dozens of varieties are available, from tiny "mini" forms to larger show plants.

Difficulty: Easy | Light: Low–medium | CO2: Optional

3. Anubias (Nana and Petite)

Anubias nana petite is a miniature version of the classic anubias, with tiny leaves that shrimp can walk across easily. Its rough leaf texture holds biofilm well. Like all anubias, it grows slowly and prefers to be attached to driftwood or rocks — never bury the rhizome.

Difficulty: Very easy | Light: Low | CO2: Not required

4. Christmas Moss (Vesicularia montagnei)

Christmas moss has overlapping, flat fronds that look like miniature fir branches. Its layered structure provides excellent cover for juvenile shrimp and berried females. It grows faster than java moss under moderate light.

Difficulty: Easy | Light: Low–medium | CO2: Optional

5. Monte Carlo (Micranthemum 'Monte Carlo')

Monte carlo forms a lush, bright green carpet across the substrate. It grows well in low-to-medium light with or without CO2 (though CO2 speeds growth dramatically). Shrimp love walking across and grazing its small, round leaves.

Difficulty: Easy–moderate | Light: Medium | CO2: Recommended

6. Flame Moss

Flame moss grows in twisting, upward-pointing fronds that look like green flames. Tied to driftwood in a shrimp tank, it creates dramatic texture while providing excellent shrimp habitat.

Difficulty: Easy | Light: Low–medium | CO2: Optional

7. Water Sprite (Ceratopteris thalictroides)

Water sprite can be planted or allowed to float. Floating water sprite provides excellent surface cover, removes nitrates quickly, and creates the dappled lighting that shrimp find ideal. It grows fast — trim regularly.

Difficulty: Very easy | Light: Medium | CO2: Not required

Plants to Avoid in Shrimp Tanks

• Large aggressive growers (hornwort, giant hygrophila): overgrow quickly and difficult to manage in small tanks
• Copper-treated plants: copper is lethal to shrimp — always rinse new plants or quarantine them

Shop our full plant collection including all moss and shrimp-safe species, available for delivery across Singapore.