Fish Guard vs Shrimp Guard: Which Intake Guard Fits Your Tank
The main difference is slot width. A shrimp guard uses a narrower 1.5mm slot. A fish guard uses a wider 4.0mm slot, built for tanks where shrimp size is not the concern, just keeping fish and larger debris off the intake.
This guide covers which guard fits which situation, and points you to our deeper shrimp guard guides for sizing and setup, so we do not repeat that content here.
What is the difference between a fish guard and a shrimp guard?
Both are slotted cages that cover a filter intake. The cage design is the same idea either way. The difference is the slot width cut into the wall.
| Guard | Slot width | Built for |
|---|---|---|
| Shrimp guard | 1.5mm | Tanks with shrimp, where you want the narrower slot |
| Fish guard | 4.0mm | General intake protection where shrimp size is not the concern |
Slot widths are our own products' published specs. Neither guard is a guarantee. No guard is a substitute for watching your tank.
Do I need a shrimp guard or a fish guard?
If you keep shrimp, the narrower 1.5mm slot is the better pick of the two. Even so, very small animals may still fit through it. A wider fish guard slot is not narrow enough to hold back small shrimp.
If you do not keep shrimp, or your shrimp are grown adults you are not actively breeding, a fish guard's wider slot still keeps fish and larger debris off the intake.
Can I use a fish guard in a shrimp tank?
We do not suggest it. The 4.0mm fish guard slot is wide enough that a small shrimp can pass through it. If you keep shrimp, the 1.5mm shrimp guard has the narrower slot.
Neither guard is a promise. Watch your tank after you install either one.
What size intake does each guard fit?
Both guards are sized to the same set of hose barbs, so you match the guard to your hose size the same way either way.
| Intake hose size | Shrimp guard | Fish guard |
|---|---|---|
| 9/12mm | Available | Available |
| 12/16mm | Available | Available |
| 16/22mm | Not available right now | Not available right now |
| 25/34mm | Available | Available |
Hose sizes come from fitment-data.ts, sourced from Eheim and JBL's own spec pages. Both guards also come in a Fluval Large/XL size, not shown in this table since that barb is not yet a fitment-data.ts row.
Parts this guide covers
The parts we print for this topic.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a fish guard and a shrimp guard?+
Slot width. A shrimp guard uses a narrower 1.5mm slot. A fish guard uses a wider 4.0mm slot for general intake protection where shrimp size is not the concern.
Is a fish guard enough for a tank with shrimp?+
Not reliably. The 4.0mm slot is wide enough that a small shrimp can pass through. If you keep shrimp, the 1.5mm shrimp guard has the narrower slot.
Do fish guards and shrimp guards fit the same hose sizes?+
Yes. Both are made in the same set of hose barb sizes, so you match either guard to your hose size the same way.
Does either guard guarantee my animals will be safe?+
No. Both lower the risk by covering the intake, but flow, slot size, and the size of your animals all play a part. Keep watching your tank after you install either one.
A note on safety
We print every part in PETG. It is the material aquarium keepers have used submerged for years. Rinse each part in clean water before you add it to your tank.
Shop the guard that fits your tank
Shrimp guards cut a narrower 1.5mm slot. Fish guards cut a wider 4.0mm slot for general intake protection. Made in the USA. Printed in the USA when you order.
Need the narrower slot? Shop shrimp guards →
