Cherry Shrimps/White Cloud Minnows

[Hollygirl]

My tank is a 20 gallon long. It is heavily planted with hornwort, java moss, dwarf hairgrass and java fern. I have four adult White Cloud Minnows in the tank right now, and am raising 12 fry ages 6 weeks to 2 weeks in another tank which will join the adults within the next couple of months. My White Clouds eat their fry so I am sure that the 16 White Cloud Minnows will be the only fish in that 20 gallon tank. My question: Since visiting these forums I have become very interested in Cherry Shrimp. From what I have read they stay small and are peaceful creatures. Does anyone think that I can add Cherry Shrimp to a 20 gallon long with 16 White Clouds? If so, how many? I have quite a bit of java moss, and a small amount of dwarf hairgrass as well. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. There is no heater in the tank since I have White Clouds only, but the temperature never gets below 73 to 74 degrees. Thanks!

 

[OhNo123]

I'd still get a heater and stablize the temperature at 78 degrees. And since its heavily planted, I would think you could add some cherry shrimp in the tank. I'm not sure since I don't have white clouds. If you do add some, Just have some places for the cherry shrimp to hide.

 

[Hollygirl]

I'd still get a heater and stablize the temperature at 78 degrees. And since its heavily planted, I would think you could add some cherry shrimp in the tank. I'm not sure since I don't have white clouds. If you do add some, Just have some places for the cherry shrimp to hide.

I was thinking of adding some small swim through logs perhaps? I do my absolute best to not over feed, but food still floats to the bottom. I know the shrimp would get enough to eat. My minnows are not aggressive but are very active, fast swimmers. I'm wondering if this type of behavior would bother the shrimp? I don't want to add a creature that would be be in an environment that would stress them out.

 

[gmh]

I think a temp in the low 70s would be better for the White clouds and shrimp.
I never had problems keeping shrimp with White Clouds. They are very peacefull tankmates and never seemed to bother the shrimp.
I like the swim through log idea. The shrimp like hiding places, especially when they molt.

 

[Hollygirl]

Does adding 5 Cherry Shrimp to a 20 long with 16 White CLouds seem okay? I don't want to over crowd the tank. I think the addition of a peaceful bottom dweller would be interesting.

 

[Dwarf Puffers]

You can add a few, but I'd advise filtering for a 30-40g

 

[Hollygirl]

You can add a few, but I'd advise filtering for a 30-40g

My system is the Eclipse hood that has both the charcoal filter and the "bio wheel". The filter is made to accomodate either a 20 long or a 30 gallon, so I think I'm okay with filtration. I want to keep the number of shrimp at a minimum, but enough of them so that they will have their "social requirements" met.

 

[Caius]

IMO 5 shrimp might get "lost" in a planted 20 gallon...you might hardly see them. You mentioned not wanting the tank to be over crowded, but these shrimp will have minimal effect on bioload. I'd get at least 10.

 

[StereoKills]

:iagree: Even with 10, in a heavily planted 20g you'll see one a day....if you catch it at the right time.

 

[Hollygirl]

Thanks for the advice Caius and StereoKills! The more I read about these little guys the more I would love to have a few in my aquarium. I intend to post some pictures eventually. The tank gets a little bit of sunlight in the latter part of the day, and I have a little algae growth - nothing serious but I'm sure the cherry shrimp would love it. I also found some nice swim through logs for them to hide in. My main concern was the bioload and the activity of the White Clouds - I was afraid it would be too much for them.