RCS not reproducing in soft water (or NYC water)?

[slipstreamv2]

I remember someone posting that their RCS were doing well but not reproducing due to their soft NYC water. It's been over a month for me, and I definitely have males and females (much redder, larger, thicker, rounded tail), but I haven't seen any berrying. For that matter, I can't really confirm if they have a saddle...it seems like they have a clear empty area where the saddle should be, but I don't see the eggs that should make that area opaque.

I wanted to hear from anyone who is keeping RCS in soft water or in NYC, if they've had success, failure, etc.

Thanks!

[Wycco]

I have very soft water out the tap- but I make my water harder through addition of liquid calcium and baking soda to about an 8GH and 8KH... still not very hard- but it's enough to keep most inverts relatively happy.

I do see some young RCS- but they don't seem to reproduce anything like most people on here claim theirs do... either that or my young just get eaten too quickly before reaching adulthood.


I will say, I do know Cherry Shrimp do much prefer hard water... I have Palaemonetes and they didn't reproduce at all at 7GH and 7KH- I bumped it up slightly to 8 for both and now they reproduce like mad. Cherries may be the same way- the more you bump up the hardness the more they reproduce.

[Wycco]

What I understand is that some of the Caridina shrimp such as Bee Shrimp or Tiger Shrimp and Crystal Red Shrimp, or even the Green Shrimp are more suited to soft water- you might have more luck with them.

[slipstreamv2]

Wycco, great info, thanks! Any others who can share their experiences?