Nerite Snails and Amano Shrimp

[ctyank]

I maintain a planted tank (I know... different forum) where I have relatively* happy Nerite Snails and Amano Shrimp. Problem is that neither species will breed in freshwater. However, I have been told that both of these will breed in brackish water. So I am considering establishing a small brackish tank for the sole purpose of housing and breeding these two species.

Having never done brackish, I'm not sure what is necessary. Assuming that I have no plans to add scats, puffers, monos or other brackish fish, what are my basic requirements and what is the appropriate salinity?

Thanks for any suggestions. - Chris


* The nerite snail shells seem to decalcify over time; this seems to cause the snail to die after a few months. I suspect this is a function of the much lower hardness of freshwater plant tanks.

[RTR]

For Amano breeding, see:

http://www.uniquaria.com/articles/amano.html

That technique works and has been repeated by multiple aquarists. But many of us have had chance survival of Amano offspring in our FW planted tanks without salt addition.

Nerite breed in FW tank regularly, but nobody ever seems to get live and developed babies from it. The same author (Wilma Duncan) is breeding Nerites. She has not yet published her technique for this, but she does plan to do so.

[SnakeIce]

I have heard of getting the shrimp to produce viable young with just the hardness you would maintain in a reef tank, ie lots of calcium in the water but with out the salt

so maybe the snails are similar?

[ctyank]

Any suggestions for a proper salinity level?

[Kagh't]

i've produced baby amanos in henously hard water, but for salinity, around 1.010/12ish, slightly less than half standard saltwater.