Whats the minimum tank size to keep shrimp in.My wife would like one on her desk at work,but could probably only have a 2 or 3 gallon.I think that is too small but I'm really not sure.Any one have any idea?
Shrimp tank
- Thread starter 67chevelle
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A 2-3 could support about 20 shrimp or so, that is counting babies and parents. And about a 5 gallon supports even more. I read of tank of 10 gallon consisting of 100's.
Go for cherry red shrimp, cheap, and they breed in Freshwater. Unless you wanna go the crystal red shrimp route, a bit more pricey, and even more costly if they don't breed.
Go for cherry red shrimp, cheap, and they breed in Freshwater. Unless you wanna go the crystal red shrimp route, a bit more pricey, and even more costly if they don't breed.
2-3 gal will support way more than 20. The 10 shrimp per rule is extremely basic and general that I don't think is too accurate in terms of how much you can fit realistically. It's a great way to put questions to rest when people are still new to shrimp though, which is probably why it's widely accepted.
If you want to keep them in a 2 gal, start out with 10 and let them breed from there. They'll stop breeding or slow down once they feel that it's too crowded. 10 will be a great start though and will surely keep your wife happy with something to look at!
But if you can get a 5 gal, which really isn't too big, go for it. Start with 15-20 in that tank.
If you want to keep them in a 2 gal, start out with 10 and let them breed from there. They'll stop breeding or slow down once they feel that it's too crowded. 10 will be a great start though and will surely keep your wife happy with something to look at!
But if you can get a 5 gal, which really isn't too big, go for it. Start with 15-20 in that tank.
i really prefer a minimum of 5-10g, though they can be housed in smaller. Smaller tanks can be more difficult to regulate the parameters and even though shrimp have a low bioload, overfeeding is common resulting in pooor water quality.
You're looking just to keep a few shrimp in a tank as opposed to breeding them correct? 2-3 gal would be fine. I have cherry shrimp in a 1.5 gal pretzel jug that I hold extra java moss in. No filter, no lighting, no heater, in a basement with constant 60F temp. I didn't put them there, they hitchhiked on the moss and God only knows how long they've been there. I don't feed them. Once in a while I'll add/change some water to keep the moss healthy. No, there aren't 100's swimming around, but I'll guess there's a dozen or so. They're tough buggers! Several shrimp, maybe a snail or two and she'd have entertainment for hours 
The key issue is keeping the water quality. Shrimp are vulnerable to stress, caused by small fluctuations in Nitrates, Nitrites and Ammonia . With a small tank, the margin for error is extremely tight. If you have a 10g tank you can get away with testing water once a month (unless you spot problems).
What's wrong with keeping a 10g tank at work? I've seen people with 15g tanks in a work cubicle.
What's wrong with keeping a 10g tank at work? I've seen people with 15g tanks in a work cubicle.
WOW!
You've had some VERY lenient employers! I think out of all the desk jobs I've had, NONE of them would even permit so much a a typical betta bowl on the desk due to the computers. Most didn't even allow DRINKS.My employer allowed aquariums, so long as the tanks were maintained, by the employee during non work hours, and that nothing illegal, or dangerous, was kept (no constrictors, vipers, or venomous insects). One middle manager had 50g a tank with five piranha (I can't remember which species), but he had to remove them once it was discovered what he had.
One of the exec's had a 500g tank in his office (which I HIGHLY doubt he personally maintained
).
One of the exec's had a 500g tank in his office (which I HIGHLY doubt he personally maintained
).