Snails and Ghost shrimp in a fry tank?

[JamesBenjamin]

We've got 50 or so 3 day old swordtail fry, I was going to put in a few (tiny) snails and maybe some ghost shrimp to clean the bottom of the tank... would this be a good or a bad idea?

[rjl420]

I don't see any problems with that at all. I have a 25 gallon that is live bearers and snails only that I use to breed food. and I doubt the ghost shrimp would change that at all.

[Richer]

I don't see any problems with it... in fact, not only will they eat any leftover food, they'll probably clean up any fry that happens to die.

-Richer

[JamesBenjamin]

thanks guys!

[RTR]

Frankly, I would not trust the Ghost Sgrimp. Post back and let us know what happens...

[rjl420]

Originally posted by RTR
Frankly, I would not trust the Ghost Sgrimp. Post back and let us know what happens...

why is that RTR? too much competition for food?

[RTR]

Because I have had Ghost shrimp eat Rainbow fish fry - not dead fry, but alive and kicking (well, wiggling at least).

[JohnMemorialHS]

to be honest, the frys ghost shrimps can catch are probably either weak or sick, because I don't seem them to be too good at catching fish, since they can only use fast movement when swimming backwards, unless they can see the back of their head very well, it'd be hard for them to catch anything swimming backwards. If I were to decide, I'd go for the ghost shrimps with little or no worry.

[famman]

I have ghost shrimp, and I could imagine them eating the very tiniest fry. But once the fry could swim with any speed they'd be able to get away from the shrimp. I have platy's and ghost shrimp in the same tank and have frequently seen fry far too big for a ghost shimp to get, so the shrimp don't seem to be able to get all of them.
good luck
:)

[ewok]

i have pond snails in my tank with guppies and fry, they seem to be ok. i would shy away from apple-type snails tho if they aren't live-bearers at least, i think the apple types would find eggs a good snack. ghost shrimp i am unsure of totally, i have some but not with fry and i could see how it would be possible for them to eat small, helpless fish.

[JamesBenjamin]

yeah, these fry are a few days old now, and every time i even put food in the water, they run! (till they know its food) i think they could avoid a ghost shrimp or two.

and yes,they're swordtail fry, so they're swimming fine allready.

[Steve Ballee']

In my guppy tank, and I'm still having population issues )) as an added benefit, if the shrimp like your water conditions, they will start producing eggs, which will provide more food for the fry.. ) works out rather well.