Got some Amano Shrimp. Now what?

C

chee

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Jan 6, 2010
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i brought my chinese algae eater back to the pet store (i really should have read up more before buying it) and bought 2 Amano shrimp to take over the algae duties. not that i am getting them just to take care of the algae, i originally wanted a crayfish but these guys seem to be a much better fit for my 10 gal setup considering the fish i have right now. also i was originally looking at shrimp because i have always thought they were neat, but my dad said when he tried them they didn't last, i have since realized that he is not very knowledgeable in the aquarium department.

alright, enough blathering on, now for my questions:
1. do i have to do anything different now that i have shrimp? (as in keep and eye on certain levels (though i already do), etc)
2. can they jump out? i have a full light hood but there is a 1.5 inch gap around the filter (approximately) and a smaller gap aroudn the heater.
3. in case there isn't enough algae can i supplement there diet with algae wafers? something else?

thank you
 
From what I've noticed in my tank: They can swim, can propel themselves out of the water but usually dont. I wouldn't worry about your gap, the entire back side of my 4' long aquarium is open 3" or better, havn't lost one yet. They eat algea from plants, gravel, sand, decorations, etc. They also eat flakes that fall to the bottom, algea wafers and other bottom feeder foods, blanched zuccini, rinsed canned green beans, pretty much anything they get their claws on. They survive just fine in my hard city water here. Conditioned of course. They are sensitive to amonia so keep up on the water changes and enjoy.
 
thanks for the replies!

another question is what about adding a little salt here and there as i have done this before. will they be fine with this?

so far they are very active and eating like crazy which is good.
 
Mgamer20o0 said:
1 just keep the tank stable and make sure there isnt any ammonia or nitrite.
2 yes they can jump out. i wouldnt worry too much about the gap.
3 algae wafers or flake foods. they do best with hair algae.
Click to expand...

They also eat the fungus that grows on driftwood. I had a piece that was covered in the stuff, added a few amanos, and the fungus was gone in less than a week. They were like little lawnmowers.

They'll also try to eat their owner: I was cleaning my tank the other day, and Groucho (the big one in my tank) leapt over to my finger and started plucking away. It didn't hurt, just tickled a bit. But now I have to wonder if he doesn't see me as a snack... :eek:
 
ahhhh i found one dead this morning! i didn't have time to test the levels though i have been keeping an eye on my pH and it has been around 6.4 to 6.6 which i though was a bit low. i will check my levels tonight but the other shrimp is still goin strong.

his tail looked like it was bitten off but i am thinking that could have happened after he died. not sure. i have been keeping an eye on them whenever possible and the fish didn't even seem to notice them.
 
Amano shrimp often die soon after being introduced to the aquarium, I wouldn't worry about the one death if the others are fine. Adding salt is okay, they need brackish water to breed anyways. Remember to feed your shrimp sometimes too, it's best if they don't live completely off algae.
 
Are you sure it was a dead shrimp and not an exoskel. Mine scared me the first day after I got them. Found an exoskel. and thought I had lost a shrimp. When the amanos die they turn pink. The exoskel. is clear. But I have also lost a couple within a week of adding them, when all params are good. It just happens unfortunately.
 
heres my list:
3 platies
1 guppy (female)
2 cherry barbs
2 penguin tetras

the only ones i was really worried about was the penguin tetras cuz they are kinda spazzy and i have heard that they prefer to be inschools of atleast 6.
 
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