shrimp, functional or just for show

  • Get the NEW AquariaCentral iOS app --> http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1227181058 // Android version will be out soon!

Linda S

AC Members
Sep 6, 2009
1,377
0
0
Killeen, TX
Real Name
Linda Sholly
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

AC Members
Jul 13, 2009
366
0
0
29
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.
 

mak3mydae

AC Members
Jan 25, 2009
190
0
16
Boston, MA
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

AC Members
Sep 6, 2009
1,377
0
0
Killeen, TX
Real Name
Linda Sholly
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?
 

msjinkzd

AC Members
Feb 11, 2007
18,306
5
89
PA
msjinkzd.com
Real Name
Rachel O'Leary
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.
 

Luvbugz

The Suicidal Townie
Apr 18, 2007
368
0
0
Indiana
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! :)
 
zoomed.com
hikariusa.com
aqaimports.com
Store