shrimp, functional or just for show

[Linda S]

A lot of you keep shrimp, do they serve a purpose? will they attack healthy fish, I have neons in a planted tank? How do you weigh their foot print?

[FasterShrimpo]

A lot of you keep shrimp, do they serve a purpose? will they attack healthy fish, I have neons in a planted tank? How do you weigh their foot print?

They can serve a purpose. Some people use them as a clean up crew, others for currency and others use them too spruce up the tank. It depends on the species of shrimp, most bigger shrimp or territorial shrimp will attack sick fish. Also their bio-load is very small.

[Linda S]

Do any of the shrimp eat algae, or are they carnivors?

[mak3mydae]

They're omnivores. I keep em in my tank as a clean up crew also since i feed pretty heavily since im too lazy to measure out food :D Some shrimp will eat algae, but i wouldnt depend on them for algae removal. If you want to remove algae, try a small algae eater like an oto. Shrimps are also great since they'll eat dead fish and dead plant matter and they convert this into energy pretty well.

[Linda S]

thanks, I have ottos, cories, and neons and very tiny snails. they're about the size of pencil lead. I am just curious about shrimp, they sound intesting. Would they eat food for bottom dwellers?

[Ianne]

yes they would

[msjinkzd]

Amanos are algae eaters, as are longirostris/gracilirostris. The rest are all omnivorous but will pick all day long at algae/plants (not harming them)/substrate, etc.

[bitbot]

The most common small species like Red Cherries and Crystal Reds are harmless. Check the species before you buy. (http://planetinverts.com/shrimp_species.html)

[Luvbugz]

I keep a RCS shrimp only tank because I didn't wanna risk my fish eating my shrimp. Now after some experimentation, I have found my betta completely ignores them as tankmates. I will be combining their tanks soon. I keep them because they are fun to watch zooming around their tank. Also, the RCS's breed like mad, so when I need to reduce my numbers I feed them to my larger fish. It may sound cruel, but I know they are disease free and very nutrious for my big fish because I only feed my shrimp the best! :)

[Linda S]

Is there a good book on shrimp?

[theredchaser]

Shrimp don't eat nearly as much algae as claimed, unless you get a lot of them. They also tend to eat only the softer algae so a lot of the problematic ones will be ignored. Only ghost shrimp and some of the more bigger ones will attack weak fish, but for the most part they are peaceful.

I'm not sure if there are good books on freshwater shrimp, or if those books contain any new information not already posted. For the most part shrimp are easy to keep as long as you have good tankmates and good water.

[SMinNC]

I have Amanos in here.
There's one in the front bottom center.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t85/simplemaninnc/Picture295.jpg

Amanos
Corys
Neons
Otos
Flame Tetras
Harleys

They are almost always wanderign around sticking their noses into something. Digging in wood creavises, moss, plants etc.

They dive right in with the corys when shrimp pellets hit the bottom.

[Linda S]

nice tank

[SMinNC]

Thanks.
I'm working on making my intake/outlet tubes all but dissapear.
Now if I could find some acrylic heater wires! I'd have it made.

My first diy outlet tube here > Faux glass output tube (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206026)
Waiting on some parts to make a couple of intakes that are more (baby)shrimp safe, I hope.

[CPAqua]

Both function and show. I initially got my 2 Whisker Shrimp when I saw the prices of Crayfish at the LFS. When I was younger, I used to be able to get crayfish out of the lake we lived on so I had a problem spending that much on them! I have been quite pleased with my relatively inexpensive shrimp purchase!

The two shrimp are almost always doing something. Scurrying around searching for food. As soon as the flakes hit the surface of the water they are running about searching for them. I also feed the fish occasional peas. One time I dropped the pea skin into the tank accidently. I was rolling my sleeve up to get it back, but one of the shrimp took it and scurried off with it, like it was his prized possession. I now drop the skins in for them.

They almost constantly clean the bottom of the tank and are almost always visible. I have yet to see them go after any of the fish.

See if you can spot both of them in the picture below. Hint: You would not see them in this picture if they were on the ground.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9d733b3127ccef84c81b60d9000000040O00AZtWTJs3bNG IPbz4Q/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[Linda S]

my guess is they're swimming at the top, one to the left and one in the center.
How long do shrimp live?

[Dr. Awkward]

The neos only live for about a year, but Amanos can live up to 15 years. I have one that's getting ready to turn 9.

[Linda S]

Where would I find amano shrimp? I'm in central Texas. What are the water requirements?Should they be put in a well established tank? I have two filters on my 20 gal that are rated for up to 30 gal, I would start a new planted tank and swap out a new filter for an old filter with bacteria colonies already established to beat the curve on breaking the tank in. Are there articles here on shrimp husbandry? or should I just scan through the forum for info?Thanks,

[sed03f]

One of the shrimp is at he center pic on a piece of driftwood, not sure about the second, shrimp are awesome, but im debating if snails are just as awesome

[SMinNC]

Where would I find amano shrimp?

msjinkzd (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/member.php?u=66215) Is a good place to start. She's my(our) go to person for shrimps n snails.

I got my 10 Amanos from her, in great shape.

The best thing I could tell you, is to go over to the Inverts section and post about your wants, needs, curiousities. > Freshwater Invertebrates (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=74).

There's also a sticky at the top of the inverts section, that should help get you started. > Freshwater Invertebrates- FAQ sticky (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=189718)

[coach_z]

Is there a good book on shrimp?
msjinkzd (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/member.php?u=66215) is the book on shrimp!!! lol
dont let the mohawk scare you

[SMinNC]

:duh: Ok, I'm awake now and see we are in the inverts section. But all of the rest still applys.

[CPAqua]

Yep sed03f there is one in the middle on the driftwood. The other one is on the driftwood as well, over to the left.


http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9d735b3127ccef8498a97bfe900000040O00AZtWTJs3bNG IPbz4Q/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Yes, my intake needs some cleaning!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9d735b3127ccef84863305ede00000040O00AZtWTJs3bNG IPbz4Q/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/