View Full Version : Algae eating shrimp
Starry
07-09-2004, 9:39 PM
This just popped into my head, and I haven't really researched anything, so I apologize, but what can you guys tell me about shrimp? What are their needs and what kind of algae do they eat? Are they fussy? I hate it when things die in my tank :( Also, I don't believe I've ever seen them around here. Can anyone from my area comment? Maybe I'll look into it a bit more. Thanks
I have 4 in my 5 gallon beta tank. I feed the betta but don't really offer them any food. I have tried algae tabs but the snails eat them. So far so good as they have lived there for over 6 months now. I have recently started adding a little marine iodine solution and this seems to help them molt better. I assume they are eating the algae, though they can't seem to keep up with all of it. Cute little guys.
From what I have read you have to keep the water level down from the top or they try to escape. Mine haven't so far.
I've got two ghost shrimp in my 20 gal community tank. When I first got them, they disappeared for about a month. I thought they were long gone when all a sudden they showed up and are out in the open now all the time.
I've had them for several months and I've never done anything special for them. I feed the fish a variety of foods so I guess they're getting some of that, and they are constantly poking around on the rocks and plants. They seem to be very healthy and active.
They're a lot of fun to watch and they are really cheap, so you could get a bunch of them.
Have fun,
Captain Hook
07-10-2004, 12:16 PM
I find my amanos (c. japonica) really interesting. They are always looking for food and will eat anything that makes it to the bottom: colorbits, pellets, flake, etc.
The only algae I seem to have in my tank is some brown stuff on the glass and bright green spotted one on a few rocks. I think they are eating the other kinds but I still make sure they get food.
Interesting and funny to watch, not hard to keep. Be careful of escaping and introduce slowly to tank. Once established they are pretty hardy.
Timmain42
07-11-2004, 9:31 AM
Two words: ESCAPE ARTISTS. Amanos WILL get out if they can, and this (generally) applies to all shrimp. I have a 9" long M. lahs, and I have to keep even the smallest of holes covered to prevent her from getting out.
falcon
07-12-2004, 12:34 PM
Starry, algea shrimp will eat most of the hair type algea. They're pretty hardy, no special requirements that I can see. Usually they eat alge and any fish food that you feed(flakes, color bits, bloodworms). I have nine or so in my 120g and I haven't lost any so far. They're always busy, eating away at algea.
You can get them at big al's on dundas in Mississauga. They had probably a 100 last week. They're 2.49 each, I think. Not cheap...This time they're pretty good size. They call them algea eating shrimp. They also have ghost shrimp which are not really algea eating shrimp and are much smaller. As with fish, you have to acclimatize them before adding to the tank. Once there, no special requirements. I had my tank temp up to 86F for an extended period and it did not affect them at all. I have 4 in my 20g tank, guppy tank and they all died within days. Not sure if guppies were too blame. They are such an active fish and could've been picking at the shrimp.
The first batch of 5 are now at around 2". They grow pretty big.
falcon
Captain Hook
07-12-2004, 2:59 PM
Menagerie pet shop in downtown toronto will give you a great deal on them if you buy a few. I did a group buy and we bought a ton, almost 100 I think. Anyways we got them for $1 each.
Starry
07-12-2004, 5:21 PM
Thanks guys.
I think mine would escape - my tank isn't completely covered, and they could also climb onto my HOB and I guess my heater in the winter. I wouldn't want to see any taking off.
Would platies pick on them?
I don't think I'd be doing a bulk purchase, I only have a 10 gal, so price doesn't really matter. I've spend insane amounts on plants anyway :)
falcon - so what do the "algae shrimp" look like? If they're not ghost shrimp... I don't really like the see-through ones very much.
falcon
07-13-2004, 8:46 AM
Starry, algea eating shrimp is amano shrimp[Caridina japonica]
. When they eat lots of algea, their tummy turns green. They're fun to watch and I like how they swim accross the tank.
You can see a picture of the shrimp in here:
http://www.uniquaria.com/photogallery/shrimpfresh.html
falcon
Captain Hook
07-13-2004, 4:56 PM
I'm not sure how much algae they eat but cherry shrimp are a nice red and not clear. Amanos are basically clear but can have various colour tinges to them.
Starry
07-13-2004, 9:09 PM
Would any of them eat the black algae off Anubias by any chance? That's my only real problem now, and as far as I know only SAE's will eat that.
falcon
07-14-2004, 11:07 AM
As far as I know, I have only seen them eat thread type algea.
falcon
Captain Hook
07-14-2004, 12:14 PM
My bristlenose pleco did an amazing job cleaning my anubias. It had both black and green types of algae on it.
Starry
07-14-2004, 5:54 PM
Originally posted by Captain Hook
My bristlenose pleco did an amazing job cleaning my anubias. It had both black and green types of algae on it.
Sounds good, I might look into getting one of these then, they'e cute.
Edit: Or not. I looked around a bit, and turns out that when people say "small," they mean 6-8"