Things to Consider When Keeping Shrimp
Keeping shrimp in your aquarium can be one of the most interesting and fulfilling things to do. However there are some things that you should consider when keeping shrimp. All shrimp require a full cycled tank due to them being very sensitive to ammonia and nitrate. Water should be clean and well taken care of. Make sure you pick a substrate that matches the shrimp type that you want. Most shrimp are fine with a wide variety of shrimp but some are not.
Filters should be chosen carefully as well. Chose a simple sponge filter or purchase a HOB filter that you can put a slip sponge over the intake. This will help decrease the pull of water to the filter and prevent the filter from sucking up your shrimp.
While many of the species listed on Nanocaridina say "This shrimp is fine companion to other community life", please note that while the shrimp is perfectly fine to live in a community environment, it may not always be the best thing to do. Many of these shrimps are small enough to become prey to fish, so keep that in mind. If you really want to keep shrimp it is best to keep them together without fish (or fish that are too small to hurt them such as live-bearing fish or oto cats). However if you wish to breed shrimp it is best to not have any fish whatsoever.
While keeping shrimp in a non-planted tank can be easily done, it is best to house them with live plants. The plants will grow microbacteria on them of which the shrimps will eat. Additives can be put into the water to help the plants grow, just always check you are not overdosing due to the good water conditions in which a shrimp needs. Never add anything that contains Copper into your aquarium if you plan on keeping shrimp. I repeat... NEVER Copper.
Other than that shrimp keeping is very easy and breeding requires nothing but a food source and good water conditions. Remember that shrimps of the same species, and occasionally genus, have the ability to interbreed, which could become a problem for those who want true colors on their shrimps.
Filters should be chosen carefully as well. Chose a simple sponge filter or purchase a HOB filter that you can put a slip sponge over the intake. This will help decrease the pull of water to the filter and prevent the filter from sucking up your shrimp.
While many of the species listed on Nanocaridina say "This shrimp is fine companion to other community life", please note that while the shrimp is perfectly fine to live in a community environment, it may not always be the best thing to do. Many of these shrimps are small enough to become prey to fish, so keep that in mind. If you really want to keep shrimp it is best to keep them together without fish (or fish that are too small to hurt them such as live-bearing fish or oto cats). However if you wish to breed shrimp it is best to not have any fish whatsoever.
While keeping shrimp in a non-planted tank can be easily done, it is best to house them with live plants. The plants will grow microbacteria on them of which the shrimps will eat. Additives can be put into the water to help the plants grow, just always check you are not overdosing due to the good water conditions in which a shrimp needs. Never add anything that contains Copper into your aquarium if you plan on keeping shrimp. I repeat... NEVER Copper.
Other than that shrimp keeping is very easy and breeding requires nothing but a food source and good water conditions. Remember that shrimps of the same species, and occasionally genus, have the ability to interbreed, which could become a problem for those who want true colors on their shrimps.
Special Note:
If you have any information regarding any shrimp listed or unlisted on the website, please contact me at [email protected].