Shrimp are scavengers that love picking at algae and bacterial biofilm on surfaces. This is a great way to add visual interest and make your shrimp tank look beautiful!
Opt for LED lights that provide a broad spectrum of light for healthy plant growth. Other must-have equipment include a heater to maintain stable water temperatures, and a CO2 system to enhance plant growth.
1. Water Quality
Expert shrimp keepers know that water quality is the most important factor for keeping their shrimp healthy and vibrant. They conduct regular tank maintenance including a regular cycle of water changes, regular testing for water parameters and use a specialized substrate like sand or gravel. A heater and a CO2 system are also popular with shrimp keepers as they help to maintain stable water temperatures.
Depending on their species, some shrimp are more sensitive to water conditions than others. Neocaridina species such as Crystal Red and Tiger shrimp are relatively easy to care for but more demanding Caridina species including Amanos and Ghost shrimp require careful attention to water parameters.
Many hobbyists find that their tap water has acceptable water parameters for less sensitive shrimp species but if yours doesn’t, you may run into frustrating problems such as failed molts, slow growth or even death. It’s recommended that you start with a good test kit that can measure your pH, KH, GH, nitrites and nitrates. There are liquid test kits that are far more accurate than the cheaper test strips available, and it’s worth investing in one of those to avoid frustration down the road.
In most cases, the best way to ensure good water quality is to use distilled or reverse osmosis (RO) water and add in a GH and KH booster such as SaltyShrimp GH/KH + | Amazon or Seachem Equilibrium. Some aquarists are able to achieve great results using tap water with these additives but others may still experience problems, especially if their tap water has high levels of organic pollutants such as ammonium and nitrate.
Another way that expert shrimp keepers maintain excellent water conditions is through the use of aquascaping and a well-designed aquatic ecosystem. A beautiful underwater landscape helps to prevent issues such as algae overgrowth and unstable water conditions. It also offers a stunning visual dimension that’s sure to grab the attention of anyone who visits your shrimp tank. Snails are often a part of the aquascape too and they perform important functions such as aerating the substrate, eating uneaten food, debris and poop and helping to clean the plants in the aquarium.
2. Nutrition
Shrimp are omnivorous scavengers that can eat a wide variety of foods, including fish flakes and pellets, algae and other plant matter, as well as other detritus. They are a great addition to planted tanks because they help to remove the biofilm and decomposing matter that can quickly overtake them. Some shrimp are also able to digest some types of plant fertilizers.
As an added bonus, they can be very entertaining to watch as they scavenge through your plants, catching microorganisms in the current with their fan-like appendages. The best time to feed your shrimp is just before the lights go out, as this will encourage them to scavenge rather than hide and graze during the night.
When feeding, it is important to always provide a dish for your shrimp. This will allow you to see how much they are eating and will prevent their food from falling into the substrate and fouling it. You can purchase specific shrimp feeder dishes or use something you already have in your tank, such as a glass bowl or a small terracotta plate, says rareshrimp.com.
Another important point to keep in mind is that shrimp can be very sensitive to sudden changes in water conditions. This is especially true of GH (General Hardness) and KH (carbonate hardness). Many expert shrimp keepers will monitor their GH and KH regularly, with the goal of keeping them at the optimal levels for their particular species of shrimp.
GH is generally measured in ppm or degrees of hardness and is what many refer to when they talk about “water hardness”. In general, a healthy tank should have a GH around 6-8. A good GH will also have a high mineral and calcium content, which is critical for the health of shrimp.
The lower the GH, the harder the water will be and the more calcium your shrimp will need to scavenge from their environment. Most expert shrimp keepers will try to maintain a GH between 7 and 8 in order to ensure the best quality of life for their animals.
3. Environment
The environment in which you keep your shrimp is just as important as the food and water. Shrimp need a natural and balanced ecosystem that is free of toxins and pollutants like copper and nitrates as well as harmful algae. A well aquascaped tank also helps to maintain stable water conditions by absorbing excess nutrients and adding oxygen.
Previous lessons on water parameters such as pH and KH have covered the importance of controlling these values, but GH is another vital factor to consider in creating an ideal environment for your shrimp. GH is the measure of all the minerals in your water such as calcium and magnesium. If these are out of balance, many problems will arise such as molting issues and even disease.
To avoid these issues, make sure to use only fresh, quality tap water that has been filtered and tested for contaminants such as chlorine, ammonia and nitrates. If possible, use reverse osmosis (RO) or deionized (DI) water to have full control over the purity of your aquarium’s water. These methods of purification will result in a water that has a GH of 0 and a neutral pH of 7. Once you have your ideal water, add remineralizer until it is at your desired GH and KH levels then slowly acclimate your shrimp.
It is important to acclimate the shrimp gradually because they are sensitive to sudden changes in water quality. For example, when transferring cherries from a bag into their aquarium, do so by first equalizing the temperature and then slowly introducing the new water over a period of an hour or so. This process is also helpful when acclimating your other varieties of Caridina shrimp such as Tiger, Crystal or Blue Bolts because they can be more difficult to adjust to new environments than Neocaridina species.
Another great way to help avoid problems and keep the tank clean is to invest in a sponge filter that is shrimp safe. These filters come with air line tubing that can be used to drip acclimate the shrimp as well. This type of filtration system is inexpensive and easy to manage and will help keep your aquarium looking great!
4. Feeding
The best food for shrimp is a complete, high-quality manufactured food that contains all of the necessary nutrients. A variety of other foods can also be added for a well-balanced diet, such as algae wafers and blanched vegetables. Live or frozen daphnia and brine shrimp are good supplements for additional protein. However, excessive feeding can cause water quality issues, so it’s important to avoid overfeeding.
Most shrimp keepers prefer to use a feeding dish to control the amount of feed and prevent it from falling into and fouling the substrate. These dishes are available commercially or can be made from items found around the home, such as glass bowls and small terracotta plates. The frequency of feeding can vary depending on the size and condition of the shrimp. When the shrimp are moulting, they should be fed less frequently to allow them to focus on forming their new shells.
Water changes should be done 1-2 times a week to remove waste and replenish the supply of minerals and calcium. Infrequent changes may result in a buildup of ammonia, which can be toxic to shrimp. If possible, choose a time of day to perform the change when the tank temperature is lower. This will reduce stress on the shrimp and ensure that the new water is a good match for their specific requirements.
Some species of shrimp are easier to care for than others, and it’s important that first-timers start with a hardy, easy-to-care-for type. The Neocaridina genus is the most popular for this reason, and it can adapt to a wide range of conditions. The Cardinia genus is more challenging to maintain and requires strict monitoring of water parameters, making it better suited for experienced keepers.
Another tip for first-timers is to ask for younger (juvenile) shrimp instead of full-grown adult shrimp. These are more likely to adapt to their surroundings and are usually healthier due to being less stressed. The smaller sizes of these shrimp are also great for starting a breeding colony.
