Best Plants for Shrimp Tanks (2026)
Last updated: February 2026 | 14 min read
Live plants and shrimp go together like peanut butter and jelly. A well-planted tank doesn't just look amazing - it creates the perfect environment for your shrimp to thrive, breed, and show off their best colors.
But not all plants work equally well in shrimp tanks. Some provide critical hiding spots for babies. Others grow biofilm that feeds your colony. And a few can actually cause problems if you're not careful.
This guide covers the absolute best plants for shrimp tanks, organized by type, with real recommendations from the r/shrimptank community and practical tips for beginners.
Why Plants Matter in Shrimp Tanks
Before diving into specific plants, here's why planted tanks produce healthier, more prolific shrimp colonies:
Biofilm Production: Plants grow biofilm on their surfaces - the microscopic layer of bacteria, algae, and organic matter that shrimp graze on constantly. This is especially critical for baby shrimp who can't eat larger foods.
Hiding Spots: Shrimp feel stressed when exposed. Dense plant cover gives them security, which translates to better breeding and brighter colors.
Water Quality: Plants absorb nitrates, ammonia, and other waste products. They're a natural filtration system that helps maintain stable parameters.
Oxygen Production: Through photosynthesis, plants add dissolved oxygen to your water - something shrimp appreciate, especially in warmer temperatures.
Baby Survival: Here's the big one. Baby shrimp (shrimplets) are incredibly vulnerable. Dense plants, especially mosses, provide the hiding spots and grazing surfaces that keep them alive.
""Moss is by far the best plant for shrimp, especially baby shrimp!" - r/shrimptank
Quick Reference: Best Plants by Category
| Plant Type | Top Pick | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moss | Java Moss | Easy | Babies, biofilm, breeding |
| Floating | Salvinia Minima | Easy | Shade, nitrate removal |
| Epiphyte | Anubias Nana Petite | Easy | Low-tech, hiding spots |
| Stem | Water Wisteria | Easy | Background, fast growth |
| Carpeting | Monte Carlo | Medium | Foreground, aesthetics |
Mosses: The #1 Plant Category for Shrimp
If you only add one plant to your shrimp tank, make it a moss. The shrimp keeping community is nearly unanimous on this point.
◆Why Mosses Are Perfect for Shrimp
Mosses have a branching, bushy structure with tons of surface area. This creates:
- •Endless nooks for baby shrimp to hide
- •Maximum surface area for biofilm growth
- •Natural grazing behavior (shrimp pick through moss constantly)
- •Protection during molting when shrimp are vulnerable
""Fill a tank with Christmas or Java moss and you will never be able to stop the skramp. They thrive with lots of small places for shrimplets to hide." - r/shrimptank
◆Java Moss - The Classic Choice
Care Level: Beginner
Light Required: Low to Medium
Growth Rate: Moderate
CO2 Required: No
Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri) is the most popular aquarium moss for good reason. It's nearly indestructible, grows in almost any conditions, and shrimp absolutely love it.
Why Shrimp Love It:
- •Dense, feathery growth pattern provides countless hiding spots
- •Grows thick biofilm that babies graze on constantly
- •Soft texture is gentle on shrimp when they move through it
How to Use It:
- •Attach to driftwood or rocks with fishing line or super glue gel
- •Let it float freely as a loose clump (shrimp don't mind)
- •Create a "moss wall" by sandwiching between two pieces of mesh
""People suggest Java moss because it grows easily and has tons of surface area for biofilm to grow on." - r/shrimptank
◆Christmas Moss - The Prettier Alternative
Care Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Light Required: Low to Medium
Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
CO2 Required: No (but helps)
Christmas Moss (Vesicularia montagnei) grows in a distinctive triangular pattern that resembles tiny Christmas trees. It's slightly pickier than Java Moss but many shrimp keepers prefer its appearance.
Why Shrimp Love It:
- •Denser growth means even more hiding spots
- •The layered structure collects detritus (food!) between branches
- •Excellent for moss walls and tree-scapes
Tip: Christmas Moss prefers slightly cooler water (below 78°F) and good flow. It can get stringy in warm, stagnant conditions.
Check Christmas Moss on Amazon
◆Other Great Mosses
Flame Moss: Grows upward in twisting spires. Creates a unique "flame" appearance.
Weeping Moss: Droops downward, perfect for overhanging hardscape.
Peacock Moss: Softer, velvet-like fronds with excellent surface area for grazing.
Cameroon Moss: Less common but grows denser and sells well if you breed shrimp for profit.
Subwassertang: The Honorary Moss
Care Level: Beginner
Light Required: Low to Medium
Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
CO2 Required: No
Subwassertang (German for "freshwater seaweed") isn't actually a moss - it's a liverwort. But it functions similarly in a shrimp tank and has become a community favorite.
Why Shrimp Love It:
- •The rounded, lettuce-like fronds create dense hiding spots
- •Slow growth means less maintenance
- •Collects biofilm and detritus excellently
""I have java moss and subwassertang that the shrimp love. Anubias and crypts that I see them on, but not like the moss." - r/shrimptank
How to Use It:
- •Wedge between hardscape pieces
- •Let it float in clumps
- •Attach loosely to driftwood (it doesn't truly attach like moss)
Floating Plants: Shade and Nitrate Control
Floating plants grow on the water surface, dangling roots down into the water column. Shrimp love to hang upside down from these roots, and the plants provide excellent water quality benefits.
◆Salvinia Minima - Best All-Around Floater
Care Level: Beginner
Light Required: Medium
Growth Rate: Fast
CO2 Required: No
Salvinia is a small floating fern with fuzzy, water-repellent leaves. It multiplies quickly but stays smaller than aggressive floaters like duckweed.
Why Shrimp Love It:
- •Long, feathery roots provide hanging spots
- •Fast growth means rapid nitrate removal
- •Creates dappled shade (shrimp prefer not being under bright lights)
""Salvinia Minima works really well. It can tolerate a fair amount of parameters and doesn't reproduce TOO TOO fast - around every 1-3 weeks the surface of your tank will be full." - r/shrimptank
◆Red Root Floaters - Beautiful but Delicate
Care Level: Intermediate
Light Required: Medium to High
Growth Rate: Moderate
CO2 Required: No
Red Root Floaters (Phyllanthus fluitans) are stunning - their leaves can turn deep red under high light. But they're pickier than Salvinia.
Why Shrimp Love It:
- •Thick red roots are perfect for climbing
- •Creates beautiful dappled light patterns
The Catch: These are more delicate. Many keepers report them dying off after a couple months, potentially from shrimp damaging the roots.
◆Amazon Frogbit - The Classic Floater
Care Level: Beginner
Light Required: Medium
Growth Rate: Fast
CO2 Required: No
Frogbit has larger lily-pad-like leaves and thick, trailing roots. It's hardy and grows quickly.
Tip: Keep surface agitation low near floaters. Splashing water on the leaves causes rot.
Check Amazon Frogbit on Amazon
◆Duckweed - Love It or Hate It
We have to mention duckweed. It's the fastest-growing floating plant, and it's nearly impossible to completely remove once introduced.
Pros: Shrimp love it, incredible nitrate removal, free (seriously, other hobbyists will give it away)
Cons: Takes over everything, clogs filters, gets EVERYWHERE
Our take: Skip it unless you want to commit fully. Once you have duckweed, you always have duckweed.
Epiphytes: Easy Plants for Hardscape
Epiphytes are plants that attach to hardscape (rocks and driftwood) rather than rooting in substrate. They're perfect for shrimp tanks because:
- •No substrate requirements
- •Don't get uprooted by burrowing shrimp
- •Create natural hiding spots on and around hardscape
- •Generally very low maintenance
◆Anubias - The Beginner's Best Friend
Care Level: Beginner
Light Required: Low to Medium
Growth Rate: Very Slow
CO2 Required: No
Anubias is nearly bulletproof. It grows slowly, tolerates low light, and has thick leaves that shrimp love to graze on.
Popular Varieties:
- •Anubias Nana Petite: Tiny leaves, perfect for small tanks
- •Anubias Barteri: Larger leaves, good for background
- •Anubias Coffeefolia: Textured, rippled leaves
Why Shrimp Love It:
- •Curved leaves create natural shelters
- •Thick leaves grow excellent biofilm
- •Slow growth = low maintenance
""The curve of an Anubias leaf matches a shrimp hiding underneath nicely, like they were made for each other." - r/shrimptank
Important: Never bury the rhizome (the thick horizontal stem). Attach Anubias to hardscape with super glue gel or fishing line.
◆Java Fern - Tall and Hardy
Care Level: Beginner
Light Required: Low to Medium
Growth Rate: Slow
CO2 Required: No
Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus) grows tall, textured leaves from a central rhizome. It's excellent for midground to background placement.
Popular Varieties:
- •Standard Java Fern: Classic broad leaves
- •Narrow Leaf Java Fern: Thinner, more elegant leaves
- •Windelov Java Fern: Unique split ends, very popular
Why Shrimp Love It:
- •Dense root structure provides hiding spots
- •Leaves collect debris that shrimp graze on
- •Baby plants (plantlets) grow on leaves, creating more cover
""Java fern if you have a foot of water height." - r/shrimptank
◆Bucephalandra - The Premium Choice
Care Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Light Required: Low to Medium
Growth Rate: Very Slow
CO2 Required: No (helps)
"Buce" has exploded in popularity among aquascapers. These plants from Borneo come in dozens of varieties with different colors, leaf shapes, and textures.
Why Shrimp Love It:
- •Compact growth creates dense hiding spots
- •Many varieties have textured leaves great for biofilm
- •They attach firmly to hardscape
The Catch: Bucephalandra is expensive. Rare varieties can cost $20-50 for a small portion. But they're worth it if you want a show tank.
""Some bucephalandra or anubias stuck to the rocks or wood trunks works great." - r/shrimptank
Stem Plants: Fast Growth and Background Coverage
Stem plants root in substrate and grow upward, often quickly. They're excellent for backgrounds and help control algae by outcompeting it for nutrients.
◆Water Wisteria - Beginner Favorite
Care Level: Beginner
Light Required: Low to High
Growth Rate: Fast
CO2 Required: No
Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis) grows quickly and adapts to almost any conditions. Its lacy leaves become more intricate under higher light.
Why Shrimp Love It:
- •Fast growth means excellent nutrient absorption
- •Dense leaves provide cover
- •Easy to propagate (just cut and replant stems)
◆Rotala - Color and Volume
Care Level: Intermediate
Light Required: Medium to High
Growth Rate: Fast
CO2 Required: Recommended
Rotala species like Rotala Rotundifolia can develop beautiful red coloration under high light. They grow fast and fill in backgrounds nicely.
◆Guppy Grass - Ultra Easy
Care Level: Beginner
Light Required: Any
Growth Rate: Very Fast
CO2 Required: No
Guppy Grass (Najas guadalupensis) is basically unkillable. It grows floating or planted and provides excellent cover for baby shrimp.
""Guppy grass is pretty good too as it grows to take up a good portion of the water column." - r/shrimptank
Check Water Wisteria on Amazon
Rooted Plants: Crypts and Swords
If you have a nutrient-rich substrate (or use root tabs), these substrate-rooted plants work beautifully in shrimp tanks.
◆Cryptocoryne (Crypts) - Low-Light Champions
Care Level: Beginner
Light Required: Low to Medium
Growth Rate: Slow
CO2 Required: No
Crypts are slow-growing but incredibly hardy once established. They come in many colors - green, bronze, red, brown - and different sizes.
Popular Varieties:
- •Crypt Wendtii Green/Bronze: Medium-sized, very easy
- •Crypt Parva: Tiny, great for foreground
- •Crypt Spiralis: Tall with narrow leaves
Why Shrimp Love It:
- •Creates natural "forest floor" effect
- •Dense root systems stabilize substrate
- •Leaves provide resting spots
Warning: Crypts often "melt" when first planted (leaves die off). Don't panic - they usually regrow stronger from the roots.
◆Dwarf Sagittaria - Easy Background
Care Level: Beginner
Light Required: Medium
Growth Rate: Fast
CO2 Required: No
Dwarf Sag spreads via runners and can create a grass-like background. It's taller than true carpeting plants but still compact.
""Dwarf sag is a great background plant depending on your light level for this size tank." - r/shrimptank
Carpeting Plants: Advanced But Beautiful
Carpeting plants spread along the substrate to create a "lawn" effect. They're generally harder to grow but look stunning in shrimp tanks.
◆Monte Carlo - The Easier Carpet
Care Level: Medium
Light Required: Medium to High
Growth Rate: Moderate
CO2 Required: Recommended
Monte Carlo (Micranthemum tweediei) is one of the easier carpeting plants. It can grow without CO2 under high light but spreads faster with it.
◆Dwarf Hairgrass - Classic Look
Care Level: Medium to Hard
Light Required: High
Growth Rate: Slow without CO2
CO2 Required: Usually
Dwarf Hairgrass creates that iconic grassy meadow look. Shrimp love foraging through it, but it requires more care to grow well.
""Short carpet plants at the front with maybe monte carlo or hair grass look great." - r/shrimptank
Marimo Moss Balls: Simple and Beloved
Care Level: Beginner
Light Required: Low
Growth Rate: Extremely Slow
CO2 Required: No
Marimo "moss balls" are actually balls of algae (Aegagropila linnaei), not moss. They're incredibly low maintenance and shrimp enjoy grazing on their fuzzy surface.
Why Shrimp Love Them:
- •Soft surface grows biofilm
- •Baby shrimp like to climb on them
- •Rolling them occasionally keeps them round
Care Tips:
- •Squeeze gently in tank water during water changes to remove debris
- •Roll them periodically so all sides get light
- •They prefer cooler water (below 76°F ideal)
""If you have a Java moss ball, it will help greatly. The babies will mostly stay on it and graze." - r/shrimptank
Check Marimo Moss Balls on Amazon
Plants to Avoid (or Use Carefully)
Not every plant works perfectly in a shrimp tank. Here are some to be cautious with:
◆Vallisneria in Small Tanks
Val grows TALL and spreads aggressively via runners. In a 10-gallon or smaller, it can take over quickly. Great for large tanks though.
◆Plants Treated with Pesticides
This is critical: many plants from big box stores are treated with pesticides that will kill shrimp. Symptoms include shrimp swimming erratically, then mass die-off.
How to Avoid:
- •Buy from reputable aquarium stores (not garden centers)
- •Quarantine new plants for 1-2 weeks in a bucket
- •Dip plants in diluted hydrogen peroxide before adding
◆Super High-Tech Plants
Some plants require CO2 injection, very high light, and precise fertilization. Unless you want that challenge, stick with the easy plants listed above.
Setting Up a Planted Shrimp Tank: Quick Guide
Substrate: Inert sand or gravel works fine for most plants listed here (epiphytes and floating plants don't care). Active soil helps rooted plants but isn't required.
Lighting: 6-8 hours daily. More causes algae, less slows plant growth.
Fertilization: Light dosing is fine. Avoid copper-based fertilizers (toxic to shrimp).
CO2: Not required for most plants above. Nice to have for faster growth but adds complexity.
Layout Tips:
- •Put moss in areas where shrimplets need protection
- •Use floating plants to reduce light if you get algae
- •Leave some open substrate for shrimp to forage
- •Add hardscape (driftwood, rocks) for epiphytes to attach to
Our Top 5 Recommendations for Beginners
If you're new to planted shrimp tanks, start with these:
- •Java Moss - Can't go wrong, shrimp love it, nearly impossible to kill
- •Anubias Nana Petite - Attach to driftwood and forget about it
- •Salvinia or Frogbit - Floating plants for shade and nitrate control
- •Marimo Moss Ball - Zero effort, fun to watch shrimp on
- •Cryptocoryne Wendtii - Easy rooted plant if you want substrate coverage
This combination gives you plants at every level (bottom, middle, top) without any CO2 or advanced equipment.
Where to Buy Plants
Online:
- •Aquarium Co-Op - Great quality and selection
- •BucePlant - Excellent for Bucephalandra and rare plants
- •Amazon - Convenient but quality varies by seller
Local:
- •Local fish stores (LFS) often have healthier plants than big box stores
- •Aquarium clubs and swap meets - great for getting plants cheap
- •r/aquaswap - Online marketplace for hobbyist-to-hobbyist sales
Always quarantine new plants before adding them to an established shrimp tank.
Final Thoughts
A planted shrimp tank isn't just prettier - it's healthier. The plants provide food, shelter, and water quality benefits that help your colony thrive.
Start simple with mosses and easy epiphytes. You can always add more demanding plants later as you gain experience. The shrimp don't care if you have a magazine-worthy aquascape - they just want places to hide, graze, and breed.
Got questions about plants for your specific setup? The r/shrimptank community is incredibly helpful for beginners.
Looking for more shrimp keeping guides? Check out our Complete Shrimp Tank Setup Guide or Best Substrate for Shrimp Tanks.
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