Amano Shrimp

[bobHE]

So I am picking up some Amano shrimp in a couple days here and I was wondering how to best care for them. pH is 7.5, kh/gh are around 6 each, temp is 77 and nitrates are very, very low. The current population is in the sig at the bottom of the post. The tank is heavily planted so there are lots of hiding places, and more than enuff algae to snack on:D I hear some iodine is supposed to be good, calcium too. How much and how often? I also hear that they may eat red alternantheri, which I have in the tank, though if they did I don't think I would care as the shrimp are cooler than the plant. Anyone experience them snacking on their plants?

[OrionGirl]

I've never had any shrimp snack on plants, but I tend to have tougher leaved plants like anubias and crypts which are seldom eaten by anything.

I wouldn't add any supplements to the tank unless you can test and prove they are low. Rather, do regular water changes and keep the tank stable. There is not evidence the iodine is needed for good health--rather, it forces them to molt, even if they have done so recently. The normal levels in your tank should be sufficient for good health.

[RTR]

Crustaceans in general require calcium, carbonates/bicarbonates, and iodine - the last at very low levels. I have been keeping FW shrimp for decades, and in the past had chronic issues with molt deaths from them. Since I adopted the use of reef iodine supplement at approx. 1/2 strength supplement once monthly, the prior issues with incomplete or damamaging to deadly molts have disappeared.

So whether or not you need supplemet depends entirely on your local water. Many areas of this country are quite iodine/iodide-poor. If your area is such, then you need iodine supplement. If it is not, you do not.

Your calcium and carbonates/bicarbonates should be okay from the GH/KH figures you cite.

[valerie]

You don't have to add anything to the tank for the shrimp. I would becareful of the gouramis eating them though. I would try adding a few ghost shrimp to the tank first to make sure they won't get eaten, then add the expensive amano shrimp.

But other then that shrimp are great. I have 6 in my 15g and love them. I haven't noticed any difference in my algae but they are still cool. Next i'm thinking of getting cherry shrimp or a camoflage shrimp.

[rich]

i have 3 amano shrimp and they do fine. i dont do any special tank treatments for them and they seem happy, sheding there exo every few weeks and zipping around the tank.

heres my specs

ph 6.8
kh 3.5
gh 4
temp 76-78
lots of plants, caves, logs.

[bobHE]

thanks, supposed to pick them up today, we'll se how it goes.

[125gJoe]

One more question...
Would they survive an 85 F degree tank?

I have heard Ghost Shrimp will do fine at 86 degrees...

If I could find "good" shrimp locally - that would be great!

(I'd still like to have shrimp even after AZGardens got the order wrong and sent me 'cooked' shrimp that looked like Old Bay Seasoning was sprinkled on them.. Nice golden orange, color steamed shrimp should have... )

[RTR]

Amanos are not supposed to do well above 80F, but mine do fine with many of my tanks at or near 82F just about daily, but with a 2-4 degree drop down during the dark cycle.