Mixing different species of fan shrimp?

M

Mooch28

AC Members
Dec 24, 2004
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Toronto (Brampton)
Is it ok to do so.

I currently have a Atyopsis gabonensis, and am thinking of adding Atyoida bisculata, Atyopsis moluccensis, or possibly a Atyopsis spinipes as my LFS has many different varities in stock this week at an excellent price!

Im just wondering if it's ok to mix them together in a 72 gallon heavily planted tank. The last thing i want is for my current Atyopsis gabonensis to get eaten up, or vice versa. But Atyopsis gabonensis are supposed to be very calm so i can't see them eating anyone despite their size (6 inch max when fully grown!)

Thanks for the opinions.

By the way, heres a link at the ones im looking at......

http://www.shrimpcrabsandcrayfish.co.uk/Shrimp.htm?MyAquaPicturesDiscus.htm~mainFrame

Just click on *fan shrimp*
 
IME, 'fan shrimp' are pretty inoccuous - my Atyopsis moluccensis wouldn't hurt a fly. They sit in the current all day, sifting minute particles from the water and seem to have an 'I won't bug you if you don't bug me' relationship with the fish. I can't see a problem mixing different species, but I'd wait for an answer from RTR and/or Veneer, who both know loads more about shrimp than I do, to be sure :D
 
Blinky said:
IME, 'fan shrimp' are pretty inoccuous - my Atyopsis moluccensis wouldn't hurt a fly. They sit in the current all day, sifting minute particles from the water and seem to have an 'I won't bug you if you don't bug me' relationship with the fish. I can't see a problem mixing different species, but I'd wait for an answer from RTR and/or Veneer, who both know loads more about shrimp than I do, to be sure :D
Click to expand...

Thanks anyways Blinky!


Ive really got a thing for shrimp going lately. :p:
 
My A. gabonensis came in with a shipment of A. moluccensis and was co-housed with them for several weeks at the LFS before someone thought to tell me about it (very heavily planted tank, the standards were easily seen in all the good current spots, the Cameroon/Gabon shrimp was and still is quite shy). I house that one alone, fearing it will not do well in the tank with multiple full adult A. moluccensis.
 
It would be safe for you to lay your suspicions to rest; the species you mentioned are quite incapable of doing any real damage to each other (though I would, however, ascertain that each specimen receives its share of food).
 
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I would not consider co-housing outgoing, apparently fearless fish or crustaceans with extremely reticent or bashful critters of the same type but different species. Thanks anyway, that is not the way that I manage my tanks at all. You may handle yours as you wish.

Is that clearer?
 
RTR said:
I would not consider co-housing outgoing, apparently fearless fish or crustaceans with extremely reticent or bashful critters of the same type but different species. Thanks anyway, that is not the way that I manage my tanks at all. You may handle yours as you wish.

Is that clearer?
Click to expand...

I understand what your saying RTR, absolutely clear. The manager at the LFS said hes had several species in a community tank for over a year now with no problems. Infact, he has some of the same species i have.

One thing i found interesting that he told me was, that fertilizers (iron especially) brings out the colour more on these shrimp. He says he and many of his customers fertilize small ammounts if iron, and have gotten very nice results from their shrimp in terms of colour.
 
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