I am a shrimp newbie myself but I can answer your question about fish and shrimp. The only 100% safe fish are otocinclus because they are herbivores. The tiny Chili Rasboras (Boraras brigittae) you can take a chance on - they might eat very young shrimp but wont hunt older or fully grown ones.
New to shrimp.
Hey so I've decided to start a tank up after not owning any for a while. I have been very interested in putting shrimp in this one. I am currently running the tank empty for a few days before I get some heartier fish in there to get everything going. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on what they like, how long I should wait to add shrimp to the tank and what not.
I had planned on some simple neo shrimp. I'm currently looking into getting live plants in there too. Any suggestions on which shrimp I should get?
Also what fish work well with them and any specific substrate to use? I have some fine gravel in right now.
I had planned on some simple neo shrimp. I'm currently looking into getting live plants in there too. Any suggestions on which shrimp I should get?
Also what fish work well with them and any specific substrate to use? I have some fine gravel in right now.
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
Shrimp love live plants. They need places to hide and foliage to graze on. What kind of shrimp are you trying to keep?? And for fish the general rule of thumb is don't get a fish with a mouth big enough to fit a shrimp in. But any fish can nibble at a dwarf shrimp until it dies. Neon tetras and other small tetras are good ideas. Also remember that shrimp are very sensitive to water parameters so make sure you do allot of research on the specific type of shrimp you want and make sure your tank is completely cycled and stable before adding any shrimp. A good website for hardy plants is Aquascape Aquarium. It has allot of different descriptions and types of easy to grow plants.
Most likely cherry shrimp, but im still trying to find some blue neos. I cant find them locally like at all though. I dont really feel like spending a fortune on shipping.Shrimp love live plants. They need places to hide and foliage to graze on. What kind of shrimp are you trying to keep?? And for fish the general rule of thumb is don't get a fish with a mouth big enough to fit a shrimp in. But any fish can nibble at a dwarf shrimp until it dies. Neon tetras and other small tetras are good ideas. Also remember that shrimp are very sensitive to water parameters so make sure you do allot of research on the specific type of shrimp you want and make sure your tank is completely cycled and stable before adding any shrimp. A good website for hardy plants is Aquascape Aquarium. It has allot of different descriptions and types of easy to grow plants.
while it's running empty,why not fishless cycle? all you need is a test kit and a bottle of ammonia.oh yeah,and a little patience.That way,you don't have to stress a fish out to get the tank going.
I have some Red Cherries myself, other things I can add to the other comments is that shrimps love mosses, I have Java Moss and Christmas Moss in mine. Christmas Moss is my favorite.
Neos are very forgiving when it comes to water parameters, but you need to keep an eye on your GH and KH if you want them to thrive, I keep mine in 8-9 GH and 4-6 KH, with a pH of around 7.0.
You can put alder cones and Indian Almond leaves in the tank for health, and they also eat the biofilm that forms on them. People use different type of leaves in their shrimp tanks, so far I have tried Indian Almond and Guava.
Another thing to mention is that baby shrimps are very small (tiny) so if you have an HOB or Canister filter the intake needs to be cover, I use those sponge filter intake covers. And most shrimpers like sponge filters for their shrimp tanks, qanvee filters seem to be very popular, in fact I'll be getting one in the mail soon.
I would suggest you to get Neos (any color really), because Caridinas parameters are a little trickier. Tangerine Tiger Shrimp is one Caridina I have read do well in Neos parameters but I don't have any experience with them.
Have fun!
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Neos are very forgiving when it comes to water parameters, but you need to keep an eye on your GH and KH if you want them to thrive, I keep mine in 8-9 GH and 4-6 KH, with a pH of around 7.0.
You can put alder cones and Indian Almond leaves in the tank for health, and they also eat the biofilm that forms on them. People use different type of leaves in their shrimp tanks, so far I have tried Indian Almond and Guava.
Another thing to mention is that baby shrimps are very small (tiny) so if you have an HOB or Canister filter the intake needs to be cover, I use those sponge filter intake covers. And most shrimpers like sponge filters for their shrimp tanks, qanvee filters seem to be very popular, in fact I'll be getting one in the mail soon.
I would suggest you to get Neos (any color really), because Caridinas parameters are a little trickier. Tangerine Tiger Shrimp is one Caridina I have read do well in Neos parameters but I don't have any experience with them.
Have fun!
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
I am currently running the tank empty for a few days before I get some heartier fish in there to get everything going.
As MtAnimals mentioned, try a fishless cycle. You can get Dr Tim's Ammonia, or pick up Ammonia from a hardware store. It needs to be clear and, when shaken, no soapy bubbles at the top.
Calculator
https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/FreeAmmonia.php
Ammonia calculator
I was wondering if anyone had any tips on what they like, how long I should wait to add shrimp to the tank and what not.
Biofilm - the natural bacteria that grows in the tank - can purchase products to increase biofilm
Leaves - Amaranth, Mulberry, Indian Almond, Guava, Beech, Oak, Nettle, etc (and alder cones!)
Vegetables - Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Carrots, Zucchini, etc
Good water parameters - https://www.discobee.com/blogs/news/17030569-dwarf-shrimp-water-parameters
I had planned on some simple neo shrimp. Any suggestions on which shrimp I should get?
Neos come in many colors. There are at least 3 varieties of red, and those come in 4-6 "grades". (higher grades have higher coloration)
There are about 6-9 different colors of blues, although it may be hard to get the desired blue that you want as many people sell lower grades of one blue off as something else...
There are about 5 different types of blacks.
About 3-4 different yellows.
About 3-5 different oranges.
At least 2 types of greeens.
If you can't choose one color, then purchase a "Skittles Mix". These shrimp will be 6(?) different colors, and will have the least chance of producing wild colored shrimp as compared to creating your own "skittles mix".
I'm currently looking into getting live plants in there too.
Plants - Anubias, java ferns, bruce, crypts, swords, etc. Low light plants are fine!
Moss - Any kind, such as Java, Christmas, Flame, Pellia, Subwassertang
Also what fish work well with them
Otos. Some people have had good luck with tetras, raspboras and other small fish, but any could make a snack of baby shrimp. It's not recommended to keep fish and shrimp together unless you have a heavily planted tank. Start off with shrimp and get a healthy colony going (6+ months) before even considering adding fish.
I've also been able to keep Kuhli Loaches and "BN Pleco" (Bristlenose Catfish) with shrimp without issues. A Dojo Loach on the other hand harassed the shrimp.
Any specific substrate to use? I have some fine gravel in right now.
Sand or gravel is fine. Just make sure not to use any "painted rocks" (Petco gravel...) Many people use Media Blasting Sand, Play Sand, Pool Filter Sand...
I don't know what size tank you have, but would definitely recommend a tank that is at least 10 gallons, as shrimp prefer stability, and a 10 gallon tank has the best stability in it. You can also go with sponge filters (driven by air pumps) instead of HOB's or canister filters. There are the HMF filters, sponge filters with weights (some could be dangerous), or the sponge filters that use a suction cup to attach to the side wall. Sponge filters are a feeding ground for shrimp, so if you go that route, the HMF is the best.
Unless you can match the water parameters of where the shrimp came from, they do best with a drip acclimation.
Also recommended to invest in the API or Sera GH & KH test kits as well as a TDS meter.
As MtAnimals mentioned, try a fishless cycle. You can get Dr Tim's Ammonia, or pick up Ammonia from a hardware store. It needs to be clear and, when shaken, no soapy bubbles at the top.
Calculator
https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/FreeAmmonia.php
Ammonia calculator
I was wondering if anyone had any tips on what they like, how long I should wait to add shrimp to the tank and what not.
Biofilm - the natural bacteria that grows in the tank - can purchase products to increase biofilm
Leaves - Amaranth, Mulberry, Indian Almond, Guava, Beech, Oak, Nettle, etc (and alder cones!)
Vegetables - Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Carrots, Zucchini, etc
Good water parameters - https://www.discobee.com/blogs/news/17030569-dwarf-shrimp-water-parameters
I had planned on some simple neo shrimp. Any suggestions on which shrimp I should get?
Neos come in many colors. There are at least 3 varieties of red, and those come in 4-6 "grades". (higher grades have higher coloration)
There are about 6-9 different colors of blues, although it may be hard to get the desired blue that you want as many people sell lower grades of one blue off as something else...
There are about 5 different types of blacks.
About 3-4 different yellows.
About 3-5 different oranges.
At least 2 types of greeens.
If you can't choose one color, then purchase a "Skittles Mix". These shrimp will be 6(?) different colors, and will have the least chance of producing wild colored shrimp as compared to creating your own "skittles mix".
I'm currently looking into getting live plants in there too.
Plants - Anubias, java ferns, bruce, crypts, swords, etc. Low light plants are fine!
Moss - Any kind, such as Java, Christmas, Flame, Pellia, Subwassertang
Also what fish work well with them
Otos. Some people have had good luck with tetras, raspboras and other small fish, but any could make a snack of baby shrimp. It's not recommended to keep fish and shrimp together unless you have a heavily planted tank. Start off with shrimp and get a healthy colony going (6+ months) before even considering adding fish.
I've also been able to keep Kuhli Loaches and "BN Pleco" (Bristlenose Catfish) with shrimp without issues. A Dojo Loach on the other hand harassed the shrimp.
Any specific substrate to use? I have some fine gravel in right now.
Sand or gravel is fine. Just make sure not to use any "painted rocks" (Petco gravel...) Many people use Media Blasting Sand, Play Sand, Pool Filter Sand...
I don't know what size tank you have, but would definitely recommend a tank that is at least 10 gallons, as shrimp prefer stability, and a 10 gallon tank has the best stability in it. You can also go with sponge filters (driven by air pumps) instead of HOB's or canister filters. There are the HMF filters, sponge filters with weights (some could be dangerous), or the sponge filters that use a suction cup to attach to the side wall. Sponge filters are a feeding ground for shrimp, so if you go that route, the HMF is the best.
Unless you can match the water parameters of where the shrimp came from, they do best with a drip acclimation.
Also recommended to invest in the API or Sera GH & KH test kits as well as a TDS meter.
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
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