Shrimp are popular additions to freshwater and saltwater aquariums. They come in a variety of colors and add lively activity and visual interest.
While shrimp may seem simple, there are some surprising facts about these small crustaceans that not all aquarists realize. Read on for 9 things you didn’t know about aquarium shrimp.
9 Things You Didn’t Know About Aquarium Shrimp
1. The Most Popular Aquarium Shrimp is the Cherry Shrimp
The red cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) is the most common freshwater shrimp kept by aquarium hobbyists. Their bright red coloration makes them stand out against green plants and decorations.
Cherry shrimp are easy to care for, breed readily, and do well in community tanks. Their hardiness and visual appeal explain why they are so frequently kept.
2. Some Shrimp Species are Difficult to Keep
While cherry shrimp and other common varieties are quite hardy, there are shrimp species that can be challenging for aquarists to maintain successfully.
Many require specific water parameters, like very soft, acidic water. Sensitive shrimp species may need mature, cycled tanks with stable conditions.
Examples of more delicate shrimp include crystal-red shrimp and Taiwan bees. Make sure your tank can provide the necessary environment before purchasing sensitive shrimp.
3. Shrimp Can Help Clean Aquarium Algae
Shrimp are natural algae eaters and, together with snails, help keep aquarium glass and decorations free of algae overgrowth.
Species like Amano shrimp are especially efficient algae consumers. Having shrimp helps cut down on manual algae scrubbing and keeps your tank looking its best with little effort on your part.
4. You Can Keep Shrimp-Only Aquariums
While shrimp are frequently used as a cleanup crew in communal tanks, you can also create freshwater shrimp aquariums that are species-exclusive.
You may focus on and showcase intricate shrimp in these shrimp-only habitats without worrying about fish posing a threat.
Particularly well-liked specialist setups for shrimp are planted shrimp bowls and small shrimp breeding tanks.
5. Saltwater Shrimp Species Demand High Prices
Brightly colored varieties of saltwater cleaner shrimp are sought after by saltwater aquarists but command steep prices.
Some species, like peppermint and camel shrimp, sell for $40 to $60 each. More exotic shrimp varieties have price tags exceeding $100 per animal.
These lofty costs reflect the challenges of collecting and shipping clean ocean specimens.
6. Shrimp Make Great Live Food for Fish
You can take advantage of shrimp breeding to produce free live fish food. Baby cherry, ghost, and other shrimp are just the right size for feeding small freshwater fish like tetras and dwarf cichlids.
You get the dual benefits of shrimp tank activity and ongoing fish food production. Just be sure not to harvest all the babies so breeding colonies remain self-sustaining.
7. Shrimp Come in Almost Every Color
While red and green shrimp are the most familiar, there is actually a spectrum of shrimp color varieties.
Through selective breeding, aquarists have developed shrimp strains that cover almost every color of the rainbow.
There are blue velvet, purple zebra, black rose, and brown shrimp, among many other shades. You can set up multi-hued shrimp tanks for maximum visual diversity.
8. Some Shrimp Species are Poor Tankmates
A few shrimp varieties have reputations for troublemaking in community tanks. Bamboo shrimp, for example, are aggressive filter feeders that may attack smaller shrimp and fish.
Vampire shrimp live up to their sinister name and can pick at the fins and scales of tankmates. Make sure any shrimp you keep are safe for a community environment.
9. Shrimp Behavior is Surprisingly Complex
Shrimp often display intriguing behaviors when studied closely. You may witness courtship dances, antennae duels, and complex social dynamics.
Ghost shrimp are especially animated with their constantly waving fins and antennae. Take time to observe your shrimp, and you will get insight into their world beneath the water surface.
Final Thought
Shrimp offer color, constant motion, and sometimes unexpected behaviors that make them endlessly fascinating aquarium inhabitants.
From ultra-hardy cherry shrimp to exacting specialty species, there is a shrimp variety suited for any freshwater or saltwater tank.
Now that you know key facts about their care, costs, and behavior, you can make informed choices to add variety and visual appeal to aquarium shrimp.
They bring liveliness often missing from tanks dominated by relatively sedate fish.
FAQ
How many shrimp can I put in my fish tank?
Generally speaking, you can add 10 shrimp to your aquarium for every 10 gallons of water. Therefore, you could keep roughly 20 shrimp in a 20-gallon tank. Make sure the shrimp have plenty of places to hide and plants in your aquarium.
Will freshwater shrimp breed in our aquarium?
If given the right conditions, such as stable, clean water, plants, and food, the majority of freshwater shrimp can breed easily. Some species—like cherry shrimp—reproduce easier than others, such as crystal shrimp.
What do aquarium shrimp eat?
Shrimp are omnivores and eat a variety of foods in the aquarium. They forage on algae, biofilm, leftover fish food, plants, and blanched vegetables. You can supplement their diet with commercial shrimp pellets and wafers to make sure they get proper nutrition.
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