When Can I Add Shrimp To My Aquarium

Freshwater aquariums are a favorite pastime for aquarists looking to add together some color and dazzler to their homes, and there is no shortage of possibilities when it comes time to populate a tank with fish. Another option available for enthusiasts is freshwater shrimp. These colorful invertebrates add charm and energy to your home aquarium, while also providing the added benefit of scavenging algae and debris from the tank. Shrimp come with their ain list of special needs and considerations, though, and then before rushing to your local pet store, make sure you've done your homework.

Adding Shrimp to an Aquarium: Shrimp Option

There are a variety of shrimp one can choose from, ranging from like shooting fish in a barrel to care for to those that nowadays more of a challenge. Some of the about popular freshwater shrimp are prized for their vivid colors and patterns. In general, freshwater shrimp are broken into five different groups:

Neocaridinia shrimp include dwarf shrimp varieties which are bachelor in a number of colour options, such as the cerise cherry shrimp. These shrimp are some of the simplest to care for, and they're like shooting fish in a barrel to breed which ranks them high on the popularity list. Best of all, setting up a tank for these shrimp doesn't need to exist expensive.
Caridina shrimp also come in a variety of colors and patterns, including the crystal red shrimp. These varieties present a bit more of a claiming, both in terms of finding a good source and their care needs. As such, a beginner may want to consider ane of the other groups first.
Sulawesi shrimp come from the Sulawesi lakes of Indonesia and include the key shrimp. They're another colorful grouping, but they require an aquarist with a fair amount of feel under their belt.
Amano shrimp are larger than dwarf shrimp, but they aren't ambitious. They're algae-eaters, which makes them popular for aquarists contesting this particular nuisance. For those looking to breed their shrimp, this group requires brackish water, not freshwater, so that creates a hiccup.
Ghost shrimp might be in the feeder section of your fish shop, only they're neat additions to dwelling aquariums. They grow a little larger on the size scale, and they have awesome personalities. Some varieties crave brackish water, though, so confirm which you lot're getting before you bring them home.

Freshwater shrimp are social animals, and they should be kept in groups of at least ten to keep them happy. If yous just accept a few shrimp, they'll hide for protection, and then y'all won't go to enjoy them. A skillful rule of thumb to follow is 5-x shrimp per gallon (3 per liter).

Y'all have a couple of options for obtaining your shrimp: those that are dwelling house-bred past other aquarists or those that are imported. Imports are often more expensive, and y'all run the risk of parasites or affliction, so make certain you examine these shrimp carefully before introducing them to your tank. A lot of online sellers offer shrimp now, and if you're willing to invest some search time, you can end upwardly with a proficient deal. You lot won't be able to see the shrimp prior to purchase, merely a lot of pet stores go their stock from imports, so you lot'll have to weigh your options when y'all ready out to stock your tank.

Adding Shrimp to an Aquarium: Tank Set up-Up

Just as you took care setting-upwards your aquarium before introducing your fish, special attention is required prior to the addition of shrimp.

Many people enjoy shrimp-simply tanks, which tin can be on the smaller size – around 10 gallons (red cherry-red, crystal ruby-red, and bee shrimp are all small-scale plenty). After all, shrimp are smaller than fish and produce a smaller amount of waste matter. Still, if y'all're looking to brood your shrimp or incorporate them into an existing aquarium, a larger tank is necessary – at least 20 gallons.

Substrate is of item concern for shrimp, especially when it comes to breeding. Darker substrates aid the shrimps' bright colors stand out, though this is a corrective concern. From a health standpoint, most shrimp species need a neutral substrate or one that'southward ideal for live plants. Effectively grains provide ideal atmospheric condition for the fry to catch onto and hide within. Shrimp-healthy options include:

ADA Aquasoil
Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum
SeaChem Flourite
RedSea Florabase

Most shrimp come from temperate regions, and they'll tolerate temperatures between the range of seventy-76F (21-24C). This means you may not demand a heater in your tank in order to keep them active and happy – depending on the requirements of your fish. However, you need to research the needs of your detail shrimp species to be on the safe side.

We know a filter is crucial to aquarium wellness, but special considerations come into play when shrimp are added. Whether yous take dwarf shrimp or are just planning to breed your shrimp, the purchase of a sponge filter is likely in your futurity. These filters are platonic for aquariums under xx gallons, and they are shrimp-condom: there is no risk of a shrimp getting sucked into the mechanism. If you have a larger tank, there are internal filters designed with shrimp in mind, and you'll desire to consider them to protect your new invertebrates. For hang on back (HOB) and canister filters, add together a sponge screen over the intake valve to protect shrimp and their fry from getting sucked in. The screen volition need regular cleaning when you lot attend to your filter maintenance.

Shrimp honey planted tanks, and the green background is another great manner to showcase their colors. The plants will not only provide an additional food source for the shrimp, they'll assist protect against dangerous spikes in nitrates. Some shrimp favorites include:

Anubias
Java moss
Java fern
Moss balls
Cypts
Rotala
Duckweed
H2o lettuce
Monte Carlo

If you do keep live plants, be careful nearly the fertilizer you choose: avert any that contain copper every bit this is toxic to shrimp. Read all labels carefully – your footling invertebrates volition appreciate your attention to item.

Adding Shrimp to an Aquarium: Water Quality

Shrimp are very sensitive to changes in water quality, and you'll need to keep conditions as stable equally possible to ensure their wellness. Freshwater shrimp feed on the waste and debris that fall on the substrate, only excess waste breaks down into ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate which will build up and lead to the death of your shrimp. A properly cycled aquarium is paramount to the health and happiness of your shrimp – and the other residents of your tank.

Each group of shrimp accept their own requirements for water quality parameters, and it'due south of import that you research the needs of your selected shrimp prior to bringing them dwelling house. For instance, red cherry shrimp are partial to alkaline water, while most others prefer acidic water. All freshwater shrimp require the following water exam results:

Ammonia: Undetectable
Nitrites: Undetectable
Nitrates: <10ppm

An additional testing device used past aquarists keeping shrimp is a total dissolved solids (TDS) meter. When the TDS is too high or too depression, it tin affect the health of the shrimp in the tank. The meter is pocket-size and a TDS should go a part of your regular water testing. The following table lists the ranges for several common freshwater shrimp:

Freshwater Shrimp	Optimal TDS	Limits
Amano Shrimp	150 – 200	100 – 400
Bamboo Shrimp	150 – 200	100 – 300
Blue Tiger Shrimp	180 – 220	100 – 300
Primal Shrimp	100	l – 150
Cherry Shrimp	150 – 200	100 – 400
Ghost Shrimp	150 – 200	100 – 400
Snowball Shrimp	150 – 200	80 – 300

Shrimp require alternating weekly water changes: ten% 1 week and 25% the next week. It's crucial that the added water friction match the conditions in the tank in lodge to forbid shocking your shrimp: if you come across them swimming through the tank like the fish, they're upset! Shrimp that dislike added water may exhibit jumping behaviors or attempts to climb out of the tank (that's how important water quality is).

Copper and other nutrients present a particular concern for shrimp, and then it's important to consider your h2o source during your water changes (this is where that TDS meter comes in handy). If unlimited funds are at your disposal, you can consider investing in a RODI arrangement: reverse osmosis deionization. RODI water is 99% pure and will be safe to utilize for your shrimp, though you will need to remineralize the h2o before adding it to the tank. If you're interested in the more delicate Caridina shrimp, yous may want to look into a RODI system – or at least some quality water sources. Withal, for the bulk of people, tap water is the mainstay, post-obit the application of a proper dechlorinator.

Adding Shrimp to an Aquarium: Acclimation

When it's time to introduce new shrimp to their tank, avoidance of stress is key – they're frail trivial invertebrates. If you're picking up your freshwater shrimp from the pet store, consider how long your drive volition be and whether at that place's a run a risk for the temperature of the travel pocketbook to drop more than 5F (2C); if aye, then bring a libation or insulated box to help forestall that from happening.

For shrimp enthusiasts, Kordon Breather Bags are your best friends: these transport bags allow acceptable gas substitution to occur, something your new shrimp will capeesh. You can ask the store acquaintance to place your shrimp in the Sabbatical Bag instead of an ordinary plastic pocketbook. Bring a piece of moss or filter floss with you to put in the handbag so your shrimp have something to take hold of onto – nothing's more stressful than sloshing around all over the place on the car ride!

When yous get home, compare the temperature between the bag and your aquarium to make certain they're the same; if not, identify the Sabbatical Bag in a warm bowl that won't let h2o in. These bags WILL permit the passage of h2o as well as gas commutation, and if you float the bag, you lot'll end upward suffocating your shrimp! If you used an ordinary bag, you lot can float it to bring information technology upwards to temperature.

Now get together the following: airline tubing, a control nozzle, a bucket, and a shrimp net. You're going to utilise them to employ the Drip Method to acclimate your shrimp to the atmospheric condition in your tank:

Empty the shrimp – with their h2o – into the saucepan.
Connect the control nozzle to one end of the tubing, making sure to go out it open.
Create a suction from the tank (conscientious non to accidentally eat any h2o) and lookout man the tube fill with water. Cap the end with the command nozzle and place it in the bucket, then let become. The other stop stays in the aquarium.
Brand sure the suction flows, and then adjust the command nozzle to effectually 2-3 drops/second.
Leave it running until the level in the saucepan is 4 times higher than the get-go point (so but 1/4 of the bucket will have water from the store).
Wait 1.5-2 hours for the shrimp to accommodate to the water conditions.
Net the shrimp into the aquarium.
Discard the h2o in the bucket – NEVER add it to your tank!

You should keep the lights in your aquarium off for the adjacent 24 hours. This allows for the least stressful atmospheric condition to innovate your shrimp to your aquarium.

Calculation Shrimp to an Aquarium: Food

Freshwater shrimp are omnivores, making them relatively easy to care for on the feeding scale. A shrimp'southward main source of food is the biofilm that accumulates in a properly cycled aquarium, which is a reason they shouldn't be added to a tank until it is up and thriving – they'll starve to death.

At that place'south a risk of overfeeding shrimp in an aquarium, so information technology's important to remember that biofilm exists. As well much food added to the system will yield an excess of waste, and that volition pose the problem of loftier nitrates. Shrimp actually practise well and even thrive with underfeeding. Unlike your fish, they only need to be fed a few times a week. If whatever food remains after an hour, cut dorsum on the amount offered – information technology'southward too much.

Shrimp favorites include:

Aqueon Tropical Flakes
Spirulina Flakes
Algae Rounds
Shrimp Pellets
Bottom Feeder Tablets
Tropical Colour Flakes
Tropical Granules
Blanched vegetables
Leafage litter
Thawed frozen foods (bloodworms specially)
Soybean shells

Calculation Shrimp to an Aquarium: Uniform Species

Shrimp practice well in customs freshwater aquariums, simply it's important to consider the temperament – and diet preferences! – of the fish before you innovate your shrimp. Equally freshwater shrimp have particular water quality concerns, information technology's also important to research which fish have similar needs. Carnivorous fish are likely to snack on shrimp, and fifty-fifty omnivores will view shrimp fry as a delicacy. Fast-swimming and energetic fish can stress shrimp, so peaceful, gentle species make the best tank mates. Some of the nearly ideal fish to keep with freshwater shrimp are:

Rasboras
Angelic danio
Tetras
Livebearers (picket them around the fry)
Sparkling gourami
Blue-eyed rainbowfish
Otocinclus catfish
Pygmy cory

If you want a 100% shrimp-rubber tank, your best bet is to stock your tank with other invertebrates: Nerite and other snails make great tank mates for shrimp while contributing to the work of the clean-up crew. You can consider diversifying your shrimp stock, but be aware that they may interbreed, leaving you with hybrids.

Adding Shrimp to an Aquarium: Wellness

Freshwater shrimp are on the small side, and it isn't uncommon for mystery deaths to occur in an aquarium. While frequent water testing – multiple times a day to bank check for possible fluctuations – might reveal clues, other sources are harder to puzzle out. To unravel potential problems, aquarists need to invest in a magnifying glass to assistance keep an eye out for any small parasites or other minuscule signs. Examine all new additions advisedly before you add them to your aquarium; if purchasing from a pet store, practise a check of the entire tank before you buy.

As with all invertebrates, shrimp regularly molt to produce a new exoskeleton. Molting requires energy and nutrients, and whatever shrimp that appear to accept difficulty, become caught in their molt, or dice mail service-molt are cause for alarm. If y'all run across these signs, it's time to review your shrimps' diet and brand sure they're getting the proper balance of nutrients.

Parasites are a troubling concern for shrimp, and that magnifying glass will come up in handy spotting these pests. The nearly common parasites to watch out for are:

Vorticella: a fuzzy white growth around the "olfactory organ"
Ellobiopsidae: a greenish, fungus-appearing growth between the swimarettes
Scutariella japonica: a "crown" of worms around the head

As if parasites weren't bad enough, the plants your shrimp love and so much can bring in some nasty predators that have freshwater shrimp on the carte du jour. While it'due south important to clean annihilation you lot introduce into your tank, this is particularly important for plants. A careful bleach dip and rinse with conditioned water will help forbid the introduction of these nasty hunters:

Planaria are a kind of flatworm that love shrimp snacks. Planaria traps or No Planaria medication tin can assist you eliminate them from your tank if they've already invaded.
Hydra are small-scale invertebrates in the same family equally jellyfish. They sting and inject a neurotoxin into your shrimp that kills them. That same No Planaria medication can help get rid of them.
Scuds are amphipods and especially detrimental to shrimp fry. They reproduce fast, and transmission removal is your best option. Bettas and killifish love scuds, but they besides love shrimp, then if you choose this route, y'all'll need to remove your shrimp until all of the scuds are gone (and brand certain you have a loving home for the betta or killifish when y'all're washed).
Dragonfly nymphs are relentless hunters, and transmission removal is your only option – at to the lowest degree if you want to keep your shrimp.

Conclusion

Freshwater shrimp make neat additions to your abode aquarium: they're active when kept in schools, and they contribute to the general upkeep of the tank. These colorful invertebrates practise crave some special attention when it comes to h2o quality and filters, and they're more fragile than some of their hardier fish tank mates, so information technology'southward important that you do your homework.

If you're ready to invest some extra time, though, and purchase a TDS meter, these vivid characters are certain to add some charm and vibrancy to your home aquarium.