i have been thinking about getting some kind of shrimp for one of my tanks, just for something different, but i know nothing about them. so some of my questions may seem dumb....but i can't learn without asking!
1.) what are the benefits to shrimp in the tank?
2.) are they suseptible to the same diseases as the fish, and if so, do you treat them the same?
3.) what do they eat?
4.) are there certain fish that would not like a shrimp moving in and try to eat or hurt it, (or vice versa- are there shrimp who might aggress against my fish?)
5.) are they shoaling or can they be solo?
i have three aqauriums right now- do you think any of them would be able to house a shrimp, and if so, what kind?
30 gallon - 8 tiger barbs, three zebra danios, two roseline danios, and two honey gouramis
1. Benefits: They can eat leftover foods but try all the same to provide them varied food diet.
2. No, they're not really susceptible to diseases and will not be affected by plenty of diseases that afflict fish particularly ich however maintain clean water quality as they become prone to escaping out of the tank which indicates water conditions are whacked.
3. Anything you provide to your fish will be eaten eagerly by the shrimps.
4. There are shrimps that do attack fish and a lot of fish do attack the shrimps especially when given the opportunity. Avoid shrimps with particularly large claws as they are most likely predatory. Commenting to your two other tanks, I am sure the tiger barbs, gouramis and bettas will waste no time harassing the shrimps unless several plants are provided. Always remember that shrimps are in more danger when they molt than they don't. Why? They shed off their exoskeleton that protects their soft body which if deprived, the fish can likely pick them easily.
5. They enjoy their company a lot but I would not consider them shoaling nor consider keeping only one. Again, it depends on the species you keep.
I have a ghost shrimp in my 2.5g with a Betta and he doesn't bother the shrimp at all. The Betta actually hides more then the shrimp does. The shrimp is about 3/4 inch. If anything does go wrong they are only .30 USD
I throw a few ghost shrimp in my tanks every now and then. They mostly hide in the plants, although at feeding time you can watch them scuttle around and snag bits of flake, bloodworms or brine shrimp. They clean off my decorations of food that lands there and is somehow missed by the other fish.
After a month or so, the ghost shrimp seem to disappear. They probably get picked off during molting. I get them for $0.20 a piece though, so I have no problem with spending a dollar a month per tank on some efficient cleaners/interesting critters/gourmet fish snacks.
hi
just two pennies from me
barbs polish off shrimp in my tank pretty quickly,if your tank
is densley planted they may stand a chance.
however if you want your shrimp to hang around a little longer
than just being fresh food,then the other tank maybe a better bet.
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