[gnod]

so i finally got some CRS babies (i don't think i have any CBS, although one of the females was a CBS) and wanted to ask what's the 'best' way to start to cull and breed to get high grade shrimps? do i just pick the babies that are high grade and see if they breed? any way to tell if they're female vs males?

thanks in advanced, experts!

 

[mordalphus]

You've got it right, you pair the best males and females and hope for the best. Actively remove the worst looking shrimp.

The best way to tell if they're male or female is to wait until they're of breeding age.

 

[gnod]

liam! shrimp masta...

how do i know when the breeding age is? and will their size/shape be noticeable?

 

[mordalphus]

yep, basically when females first get berried youll know they're females, and males will keep the slender shape. Before that, it's harder to tell who is male and who is female.

 

[gnod]

btw liam, i dont know if there's a definitive answer to this - some of my CBS has lost their black color... why is that? they're more reddish brown now, esp the female that's berried.

also, some of my CRS are not full, in their whites - any tips on improving/helping their whites? note, that only some of them are not full... others, are fairly nicely colored as well as the shrimplets!

regardless, this is exciting stuff! now to move them all to a bigger tank... -___-

 

[mordalphus]

Best thing for coloration is to ensure their GH is 4-5, and the temperature is under 75

 

[Lesley]

I had my water tested by my LFS. How can I lower these for my shrimp tank.

GH = 75
KH = 80

You say they should be 4 and 5, how do I lower them? Thanks

 

[mordalphus]

Those tests are in PPM, not in degrees, to get degrees, divide by 17.8

 

[Lesley]

I'm lost......... My LFS tested my water & that's what they came up with, GH75 GH80 I'm just trying to figure it out in English, never mind degrees and dividing this & that.......... Is mine too high? How do I lower it?

 

[Bahugo]

divide what your LFS gave you by 17.8 and you have degrees.

 

[mordalphus]

your GH is 4, your KH is 4.5

Your shrimp will breed better with KH at 0 or 1. Only way to achieve that would be to make water changes with remineralized RO water, or use peat in the filter, or use an active soil like ada amazonia aquasoil.

 

[Lesley]

OK, Thank you..... I am using Fuval Shrimp Statum......... I can't find ADA Amazonia Aquasoil in my area. I tried before I bought the FSS which I was told was about the same & very good for shrimp. I do not have access to RO water & I can't go buying what I'd need to produce it.... Can I use Distilled water in place of RO water? Thanks

 

[mordalphus]

Yep, distilled is fine

 

[Betta Maniac]

I do not have access to RO water

Almost every grocery store I've ever seen has a filtered water machine that sells RO by the gallon (and 5 gallon). Unless your tank is very large, you should be able to find RO for it quite easily.