Breeding Shrimp?

[taureandragon76]

Another thing with shrimp tanks that I and many others have found to work best up here is to not to water changes. Just do top offs with aged water. They can be super sensitive to any sort of change in parameters. I used to lose shrimp all the time until I started doing this. They also love to have driftwood in the tank to hang around on and munch on. One of their fav foods is peas(skin removed). I would be concerned about using too small of a tank as the smaller the tank the harder to keep parameters stable. Here is a good link to check out

http://www.petshrimp.com/articles/keepingshrimp.php

[Flutter]

Sounds like cherry shrimp are the way to go then. I have a 10 gal tank that I would be using for snails and/or shrimp.

[taureandragon76]

Best way to buy them is to try and find local hobbyists that have some for sale. I can usually find them for around $1 each

[robert_hollis]

I've seen them go for $1 a piece on ebay with free shipping, if you buy 25 or more (not always that cheap, but it does happen). Most of those people will even throw in some extra just in case of casualties, and a little java moss or such for them to cling to. That's not a half bad way to go.

-Rob

[taureandragon76]

Shipping is another alternative, only problem is they have to be packaged right as they don't always ship well. For drawf shirmp though Cherries are the hardiest.

[LilGreenPuffer]

Another thing with shrimp tanks that I and many others have found to work best up here is to not to water changes. Just do top offs with aged water. They can be super sensitive to any sort of change in parameters. I used to lose shrimp all the time until I started doing this.

http://www.petshrimp.com/articles/keepingshrimp.php

You know, I've heard people say the same thing, but I never had trouble with that. *scratches head* They live with my bettas, though, so I don't have any options.

Good link, by the way. I really like that site.

[firestorm52]

What about a filter? i wasn't going to use one cause i don't want them getting sucked up, but I could prolly do a sponge filter. but is it needed for the cherry shrimp tank?

[Lil' Swimz$]

A filter will definately be needed. Here's a great article on how to build a sponge filter.
http://www.planetinverts.com/DIY_sponge_filters.html

Apparently there are a couple of different kinds of fw shrimp commonly sold as 'ghost' shrimp. They're really american grass shrimp. If I recall correctly (yeah, I don't remember when or where I read this), most shrimp sold as ghost shrimp require salt in the water to breed. I don't know the parameters, but I do know that mine have never bred in fresh water(they'll develop eggs and carry them for a while, then just drop 'em), but my cherry shrimp do. There are some ghost shrimp who will breed in freshwater, but I think that's all luck of the draw, and exceedingly rare. Or, I could be miserably misinformed myself... That's why I consider cherry shrimp the easier of the two to breed. Although, I have heard multiple stories of people buying lots of cherry shrimp from their LFS and them never breeding because they got all females. There's some definite sexual dimorphism in cherry shrimp, and the females are the bigger, brighter ones, so I could see that happening... If there's anyone in my area needing shrimp I'll happily save you a few bucks, and just give you a half dozen or so babies. Sorry, but I'm not prepared to ship shrimp (especially in this cold weather).

-Rob

That is untrue. True American glass shrimp have a larval stage, unlike cherry shrimp where they hatch as miniture adults. Most other shrimp with a larval stage do require brackish water for the hatchlings to survive, but glass shrimp don't. So that's another choice for you, but for a beginner cherry shrimp are very good. Heck, I'm a beginner as well!!! I've got a 5 gallon with 4 cherries. Turns out all are female so I'm getting a couple more on Sunday. Good luck!!

Best article on cherries, IMO. http://www.planetinverts.com/Red%20Cherry%20Shrimp.html

[firestorm52]

that links says to make a sponge filter you just run an air pump into a sponge? that seems to easy.. lol did i miss understand something or what? i also have a small filter that hangs on the back of the tank that i was thinkign about just stikcing a spong on the intake of it but I don't know that it'll have enough power to suck water through the sponge.

[LilGreenPuffer]

It should, and you don't need a strong flow anyway, just enough to get water through the filter so that the bacteria can get to it.

[firestorm52]

hmm okay, I'll clean it up and get it ready for use then. I dont even remeber what kind it is. its from an old tank when i was a kid. but if i have a sponge on intake I don't really need the filter pad in the actual filter do I? I'm sure it would help, so I'll try and find one to fit it.

[LilGreenPuffer]

Probably not! Good idea.

[firestorm52]

what about an air stone? I threw one in under the gravel just because it was sitting around, will it disturb the shrimp or harm the babies? I've heard that small air bubbles can get stuck to the babies and they can't get the bubbles off and die, but It isn't producing small bubbles. I don't know. I'll take some pics or a video of the tank tomorrow so you can all see what I got goin so far.

[LilGreenPuffer]

I don't think you'll really need one. After all, they prefer low temps, and the cold water will hold plenty of oxygen. And it might make it hard for the shrimplets to swim.

[firestorm52]

Bought a sponge today and fit it to the filter, i had doubts that the little filter could suck through the sponge but I was proven wrong as of 5 minutes ago. got some Java Moss for the tank as well just letting the temp drop a little before I put the moss in. And my LFS is picking up some cherry shrimp for me when they head to their supplier next.