Taking care of amano shrimps

[yhbae]

Will amano shrimps live in my water?

pH is 7.2, KH is 2, GH is 5. The temperature is kept at 77F. I had ghost shrimps before in that tank and no fishes ate them (I lost all during ich treatment).

I have mixed feeling so far as some sources say they will not live in a fresh water tank for long as their native environment is brackish.

Also, do I need to add any suppliments to help during malting process given that my water is soft?

Appreciate any feedback!

[Cearbhaill]

I use a tad of marine iodine supplement after every water change- maybe 1ml.
There is lots of anecdotal evidence around that shows they need iodine to complete their molts.
No copper ich treatments ever!

Google "freshwater shrimp iodine" or even start
here. (http://www.fishpondinfo.com/shrimp2.htm)

[125gJoe]

Thanks Cearbhaill,
for that 'shrimp link...' I was wanting more info on those creatures. I sure would like to have a few for the 125g! The main problem I would have (I think), is high water temps. I'm not sure they could handle it..

[TKOS]

Could iodine be taken from common table salt with iodine added. I have my shrimp in a 5 gallon with a betta. I am sure in low dosed that the salt would not be harmful to the betta but is that iodine usable?

[Cearbhaill]

The main problem I would have (I think), is high water temps. I'm not sure they could handle it..
I've had shrimps in this tank since we moved it into the "hot room" and they are surviving just fine. Tank temps are around 86ºF.

Side note: I've been trying to capture a good shot of the shrimps when I feed live blackworms- they go nuts!
Each shrimp grabs a worm and it looks for all the world like a lion tamer wielding a mighty whip- great fun to watch the battle.

[RTR]

Amanos live for years - much longer than refs cite - in my FW tanks, but my water is harder than yours - GH 9+, KH 7. No salt is added, but like Cearbhaill, I do add a bit of reef iodine, at least monthy for me.

There is some reproduction even in FW, but the best protocols to date involve adding a bit of marine mix for the babies.

[yhbae]

This "reef iodine" - would this be harmless for FW fishes? Otherwise, it defeats the purpose... :D

Thanks for the link, Cearbhaill!

[valerie]

I've had some amano shrimps in my tank for about 10months now and they are still doing great. My ph is 7.8 kh7gh8. I have never added iodine before and my shrimps are doing well.

[yhbae]

I forgot to ask this question on the original post - I saw some shrimps "jump" up near the top. Although my tank has the top, there are gaps between the power filter and the edges on of the cover as well as the holes where the heater wires go through.

Do I need to cover these areas in order to be safe with these shrimps? My water level is about 2 inches off from the top.

[RTR]

I've been doing iodine additions since about '98, so if it were bad for the FW fish I believe I would have seen problems before now.

Newly introduced Amanos are great escape artists - they have no fear of leaving the water. After they been in the tank a few weeks for me, they can even be kept open-topped.

It is spooky the first few times you try to move Amanos from one tank to another - and one escapes the net, climbs the net handle and then your arm, while you are racing to "new" tank to brush him off. :laugh:

I have wondered if they climb rushes or reeds in the wild to escape predation and run back down an adjacent one...

[valerie]

My shrimp have never gotten out of my tank and i have th whole back area open. The only time i have seen them "jump" in when you catch them in a net. I have dropped a few on teh floor walking in between tanks. Make sure you catch them then cover the net.

[yhbae]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I finally feel secure enough to get some amano shrimps... :D