I have been keeping all sorts of fish for years now, but I have never kept shrimp. I have no idea how to keep shrimp, but have a cycled 10 gallon waiting for some. Any tips on starting? What shrimps are the heartiest? What do they eat? etc.
Starting a 10 Gallon Shrimp Tank
- Thread starter PSU_Student
- Start date
I would start with Painted Fire Red Shrimp or plain Red Cherry Shrimp. What are your water parameters? Also what type of filter do you have? Check out the read below.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=184517
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=184517
Definitely make sure your water parameters match the requirements of the shrimp you want. Like already suggested you can get nice quality painted red shrimp for $1 a piece or less. I have a ph of 8.2 and yellow shrimp (same as red shrimp) did not survive very well but Malawa shrimp are doing great. I made the mistake of buying expensive shrimp from aquabid and they ended up being horrible quality. I feel much better about sellers here.
Try out ghost shrimp first just that way if you lose some it won't be $$. Hey read this it will help a lot.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=176557
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/showthread.php?t=176557
I did thesame thing a few years back. Basically, keep it heavily planted especially with java moss, and have good lighting. Heavier lighting will encourage plant growth and also grows some algae for the shrimp to eat. I wouldn't recommend any tankmates other than a few Otocinclus catfish, which are great for the algae the shrimp don't eat. I also liked to use algae wafers, while not necessary, gave the shrimp a little snack and attracted them to a spot for me to observe them 
I kind of let the tank go on its own, and it became a really beautiful jungle of tropical plants. Its downfall was when somehow, damselfly larvae got into the tank and made tasty snacks out of my shrimp
Good luck! Just talking about this makes me want to do it again.
I kind of let the tank go on its own, and it became a really beautiful jungle of tropical plants. Its downfall was when somehow, damselfly larvae got into the tank and made tasty snacks out of my shrimp
Good luck! Just talking about this makes me want to do it again.
P.S.~Red cherry shrimp would be my recommendation for a 1st shrimp, they are pretty hardy and reproduce easily.