Advice on Shrimp

[sawcat]

Could some of the shrimp owners give me some advice on shrimp, and direct me to some good information on the web on them?

I've been wondering about if I'd be able to keep a ghost shrimp (a true one) in with my bettas that are in the 2.5 gallon containers. They aren't cycled, and they have lids that almost fully cover the tops, so wouldn't be too much to close the remaining space to prevent escape. Both with heaters, one a small filter one a air stone, but I could add a sponge filter if needed). Would this work?

I've heard that some place sell a very aggressive shrimp as a ghost shrimp, but it attacks fish, so I would want to be able to identify it and a real ghost shrimp if I decide to try them. Where would I look?

What do you feed your shrimp?

also would low ground cover and special hidey holes be a must?

I figured ghost shrimp would be a good trial, as I heard they're very cheap so if one of the bettas decided to snack on them, it's not like $5 literally eaten.

[Rachel]

sawcat said:

Could some of the shrimp owners give me some advice on shrimp, and direct me to some good information on the web on them?

They’re pretty easy to keep if you have them in a proper environment. I can't recall a great site off the top of my head, but I'll see if I have any good bookmarks at home to add later. A simple google search of 'ghost shrimp care' should bring back a few sites that may be helpful.

I've been wondering about if I'd be able to keep a ghost shrimp (a true one) in with my bettas that are in the 2.5 gallon containers. They aren't cycled, and they have lids that almost fully cover the tops, so wouldn't be too much to close the remaining space to prevent escape. Both with heaters, one a small filter one a air stone, but I could add a sponge filter if needed). Would this work?

They definitely need aeration in the water, so a filter or an airstone is a must. I’ve kept them in a tank with only an airstone and they’ve done just fine. What kind of water changes do you do in those tanks? If you’re doing 100% changes I don’t know how well that would work with shrimp.

I've heard that some place sell a very aggressive shrimp as a ghost shrimp, but it attacks fish, so I would want to be able to identify it and a real ghost shrimp if I decide to try them. Where would I look?

Do you remember where you heard this? I’ve read this online before also, usually in reference to if they're kept with fry. While they are more active in warmer temperatures, I’ve never had a problem with ghost shrimp attacking any fish, when kept between 76-80 degrees. In my experience with them I find it hard to believe they would do it. Ghost shrimp will be almost completely transparent and have a reddish/orange dot on both sides of their tail.

What do you feed your shrimp?

Sinking algae wafers are a great food for them. Although being scavengers they’ll eat pretty much anything from pellets, flakes, frozen food, you name it. Just make sure that your fish aren’t eating too much of the food if you’re specifically trying to feed the shrimp. Usually relying on extra food from the fish is enough for them. You'll find that as soon as food is added to the tank they'll start making their way to the surface to try to grab some of it or chasing after it on the bottom.

also would low ground cover and special hidey holes be a must?

If you’re keeping them with bettas or other fish that would bug them, absolutely. Low ground cover and places to hide are important for when they molt and become especially vulnerable to predators.

I figured ghost shrimp would be a good trial, as I heard they're very cheap so if one of the bettas decided to snack on them, it's not like $5 literally eaten.

Ghost shrimp are fun to keep, but I've found they don't mix well with bettas. All of my bettas tried to attack them instantly and while it’s possible they would have survived, they would have been in hiding most of the time. Currently I have a few in a community tank and a snail/shrimp tank and they do much better when they’re not being harassed.

[bcroft]

Adding to Rachels post:

Just one thing, I purchased 4 ghost shrimp for my 10 gallon recently, and they do eat ANYTHING on the bottom lol. They will also swim upside down and eat flakes at the top, then swim back down with a huge piece in their mouth and just walk around eating lol. Be aware that they climb anything, so if you have a plant going out of the water that is not a good idea.

[sawcat]

sorry I don't remember where I read that thing about the agressive shrimp. I had bounced around a link page for one fish forum, looking at shrimp sites, and one of them said it, but it doesn't appear that I bookmarked it =(

I normally do about 1/2-2/3 water changes in these so I can leave the bettas in there while I do it, with a good gravel vacumn. The crowntail got really fear stripey when he used to be removed for changes, so this is better for him. One has a filter, and one an airstone, but if I switched the the airstone for a sponge filter, I might see about cycling that one for certain, since it holds closer to 3 gallons.

Now I read in another group that cories love to eat shrimp. Have you found that as true? Just wondering if I tried them, and the two bettas didn't adjust, if they'd be able to go into the larger tank, but it might be about the same, with a platy on one side and a betta on the other.

Thanks for the advice.

[Rachel]

sawcat said:

sorry I don't remember where I read that thing about the agressive shrimp. I had bounced around a link page for one fish forum, looking at shrimp sites, and one of them said it, but it doesn't appear that I bookmarked it =(

That's ok, I was just curious if you remembered. Like I mentioned, I wouldn't put much stock into it.

I normally do about 1/2-2/3 water changes in these so I can leave the bettas in there while I do it, with a good gravel vacumn. The crowntail got really fear stripey when he used to be removed for changes, so this is better for him. One has a filter, and one an airstone, but if I switched the the airstone for a sponge filter, I might see about cycling that one for certain, since it holds closer to 3 gallons.

That sounds fine then in terms of water changes. I think you mentioned before you have fairly hard water? Ghost shrimp will molt more frequently if there is a higher concentration of calcium and minerals.

Now I read in another group that cories love to eat shrimp. Have you found that as true? Just wondering if I tried them, and the two bettas didn't adjust, if they'd be able to go into the larger tank, but it might be about the same, with a platy on one side and a betta on the other.

Hmm...while it is true that cories will eat shrimp pellets or food such as brine shrimp, they are non-aggressive fish. I currently have ghost shrimp in with panda cories and they hardly notice each other.

[sawcat]

yeah. General hardness is very high, the other in the medium range. I'll make sure to have some sturdy hideholes for them, should I try. Ok, my cories are pandas too, and would probably be more worried of the platy getting in a picky mood.