What are ghost shrimp really for?

[SubliminalMac]

I was told this weekend that ghost shrimp are really for feeding... is this true.

I thought I was using them to help clean the substrate..are they not?

thanks for that replies, I learn more everyday from all of you!:headbang2:

 

[msjinkzd]

Often ghost shrimp are sold as feeders. That being said, they are good scavengers and are omnivorous. Many people keep them just for their own sake as cool shrimp.

 

[SubliminalMac]

So they do clean the substrate then... nice double purpose!!

 

[vampie]

Depends on who you're asking. Some people use them as feeders, other keep them as pets. The same could be said for many inverts actually.

 

[zerojoe0917]

my uncle does use them as feeders....but seen ppl who keep them as pet..

 

[SubliminalMac]

I use them to clean the excess food and waste on the tank bottom. Is that right?

 

[zerojoe0917]

they can do that....

no problem

 

[zerojoe0917]

what size tank do you have?

 

[Yadokari]

They're more carnivorous than anything though. If you were to feed the tank an algae wafer and a cube of bloodworms, they'll definitely go for bloodoworms first. As opposed to the other dwarf shrimp (like RCS, yellows, snowballs, tigers, etc).

Ghosties are very fun to watch, especially when they hunt. I used to feed my fish live tubifex worms. Sometimes, the worms would attempt to go underground but my ghosties would stick their little claws in the cracks and literally pull the worms out of the substrate and devour them alive. Very neat hunters!

 

[The Zigman]

I used to feed them to my Silvini.. if any survived they became pets...
I had a steady stream of new pets!