Got a little shrimp ecosystem-- know nothing about them

Lauren

Lauren

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Aug 9, 2003
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My grandmother gave me about 8 little shirmp (opae' ula) for my birthday. They are supposed to be in that self substained ecosystem, where I don't have to feed them and what not. But she got me a little container with 3 shrimp, the rest of the shrimp are replacements. I would like to make a home for all of them. I was thinking about getting a little vase or something, and buding a larger home for them. Is there anything I need to know?
 
I forgot to mention that I am currently in Hawaii. I was wondering if I were to pick up some lava rocks and sand from the brakish environment these fish are native to, if they would work in their new home? Also, does anyone know of any plants that I could put in there? Will a vase be the best home for them? Do you think I'll need filtration?
 
I don't know anything about the specific type of shrimp you got, but I have read that the "self sustained ecosystem" in a glass globe is ultimately a failure, usually sooner not later. Pretty cruel, even by my rather lax standards (by contemporary measure).

The shrimp are likely pretty hardy little guys, to have made it as far as they do. If you could determine the specific variety it would help you tailor the tank from the get-go. Buy a cheap refractometer (30-50$ online) or float-type hydrometer (8-12$) salinity/s.g. guage and measure the salinity of their current water and match it using marine salt if needed. I would think a 10 gallon tank would be more than enough.
 
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By float-type, I mean the ones that have a floating plastic indicator that points to the salinity /s.g. scales. I think the true floating glass combo thermometer/hydrometers are less appealing,

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=HG19202

though this one doesn't look too bad:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1

I think this type is a bit better:

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ES00877

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=AS2141



Whatever you choose, make sure it measures the entire spectrum of salinity (from fresh to marine).

some refractors (most accurate. able to be calibrated with distilled water.)

http://diyreef.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=70&products_id=35

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_searchitem.asp

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1
 
Same goes for those kittens. I know they look adorable in there, but eventually they are going to outgrow that bowl. Pet store bastids never mention that, though, do they.
 
Hmmm - I would never have purchased an Ecosphere for myself, but was given one as a gift, some 3 1/2 - 4 years ago. The shrimp are in their second generation now. I am not sure how many folks keep tank shrimp that long, but it does not seem that bad to me - a gimmick, certainly - you can select which meaning of that you choose - but to me it could not be a failure if they died tomorrow. I have have had many less succesful tanks in my life, especially when I was trying a new species totally unfamiliar to me. The only thing I did to the sealed container was spend a few months getting the lighting right.

Mustafa as usual goes a bit overboard on condeming the sealed spheres, but his regular tank care suggestions in the grid sound pretty good to me:

http://www.petshrimp.com/hawaiianredshrimp.html
 
The shrimp only grow to be 1.5 centimeters, I think 5 galons is probably too large to enjoy the shrimp unless I get some other brackish creatures to share space with them. I went ahead and got some authentic brackish sand and scoria today for what ever space I put them in.
 
I want to make clear that I don't want to leave them in their little cube, that I want to give them a real hone. I looked through the fish bios here, I'm worried because most of the small ones list brine shrimp as a foodn(bumblebee goby, mosquitofish), will most fish eat them? I think common guppies are probably my best bet. I think i'll get 2 or 3 guppies for the 5 gallon tank that my betta occupied until he passed a few months ago. Maybe a couple more shrimp later on down the road.

So I have the sand, and some great rocks and coral pieces. All of which I'll clean before using. I'm thinking maybe sag for plants? Perhaps some java moss. I want to keep it simple. I'm thinking if I'm going to get fish too, I should get a sponge filter. Thanks for the suggestion on the hydrometer, I'll pick one of those up when I'm home on tuesday. I hope to set up their new home tuesday night.
 
Wow, I stand corrected on the ecospheres. Gimmick or not, I am truly suprised that a little conscientious placement light-wise allows for the little guys to prosper long term. Righteous indignation withdrawn. I still don't hear anyone defending the treatment of those kittens, though.

A shrimp tank (perhaps as a refugium plumbed into a larger tank?) still sounds pretty cool.
 
brackishdude said:
Wow, I stand corrected on the ecospheres. Gimmick or not, I am truly suprised that a little conscientious placement light-wise allows for the little guys to prosper long term. Righteous indignation withdrawn. I still don't hear anyone defending the treatment of those kittens, though.

A shrimp tank (perhaps as a refugium plumbed into a larger tank?) still sounds pretty cool.
Click to expand...

I am going to take your side on the "kitten" debate...they definatly are going to need at LEAST a 10g before long!!
 
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