Are There Really Freshwater Shrimp? A Deep Dive Into Freshwater Aquarium Shrimp

Freshwater shrimp are a fascinating group of invertebrates that can make a great addition to freshwater aquariums. But some aquarists especially beginners may be surprised to learn there are shrimp species that actually thrive in freshwater. When you think of shrimp, you probably imagine those delicious battered shrimp served at restaurants or the saltwater shrimp caught by fishermen. So it’s understandable to be skeptical and wonder – are there really freshwater shrimp suitable for home aquariums?

The short answer is yes, absolutely! There are numerous freshwater shrimp species perfectly adapted to live in freshwater tanks. While not as widely known as popular freshwater fish, freshwater shrimp have been gaining popularity in the aquarium hobby in recent years. From tiny colorful shrimp like Cherry Shrimp to larger species like Vampire Shrimp, there is a huge variety of freshwater shrimp to choose from.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about freshwater aquarium shrimp, including:

• An overview of the most popular freshwater shrimp species
• Ideal tank conditions and care for freshwater shrimp
• The benefits of keeping freshwater shrimp
• How to incorporate freshwater shrimp into community tanks

Freshwater aquarium shrimp belong to the aquatic crustacean group known as Caridina and other related genera. There are believed to be over 2,000 species of freshwater shrimp worldwide. Most originate from Southeast Asia, Africa, and parts of the Americas.

While saltwater shrimp species do exist, freshwater shrimp are uniquely adapted to live in fully freshwater environments. They have specialized gills and other physiology that allows them to breathe and function in freshwater.

The most common freshwater shrimp kept in home aquariums include:

• Red Cherry Shrimp
• Ghost Shrimp
• Amano Shrimp
• Bamboo Shrimp
• Crystal Red Shrimp
• Blue Velvet Shrimp

These species come in a range of colors like red, blue, brown, and transparent. They also vary in size from 1-3 inches fully grown. Later, we’ll discuss some of the most popular species in more detail.

Caring for Freshwater Aquarium Shrimp

Caring for freshwater shrimp is relatively easy compared to fish, but there are some important things to keep in mind. Here is a quick overview of the basic care freshwater shrimp need:

Tank Size: Most shrimp species only need a 5-10 gallon tank. For larger shrimp, aim for at least 10-20 gallons.

Water Conditions: Maintain stable, high-quality water conditions. Ideal parameters are pH around 7.0, temperature in the 70s F, and low ammonia/nitrites. Perform regular partial water changes.

Tank Setup: Planted tanks with plenty of hiding spots work best. Include live plants, rocks, driftwood, moss, etc. Moderate lighting and filtration are ideal.

Tankmates: Peaceful community fish that won’t eat adult shrimp. Avoid large aggressive species. Other shrimp and snails make great tankmates.

Feeding: Omnivores that will eat algae, biofilm, flakes, pellets. Supplement their diet 1-2 times per week.

Providing the proper tank conditions and diet will keep most popular freshwater shrimp species healthy and thriving. Perform regular maintenance and testing to monitor water parameters.

The Most Popular Freshwater Shrimp Species

Now that you know the basics of freshwater shrimp care, let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular species aquarists love to keep:

1. Red Cherry Shrimp

• Native to Taiwan
• Vibrant red color
• Active algae grazers
• Peaceful community shrimp
• Beginner-friendly

Cherry Shrimp are one of the best shrimp for beginners. Their bright solid red coloration makes them stand out. They stay small, growing to around 1-1.5 inches. These shrimp are prolific breeders, so you’ll likely end up with a self-sustaining colony.

2. Amano Shrimp

• Originally from Japan and Taiwan
• Translucent grey/brown body with dots
• Larger size around 2 inches
• Efficient algae eaters
• Peaceful nature

Amano Shrimp are valued for their algae eating abilities. Their larger size and transparent bodies help them blend into planted tanks. They are very peaceful and do well with small community fish. Amanos are a popular cleanup crew addition.

3. Ghost Shrimp

• Native to North America
• Completely transparent bodies
• Often used as feeder shrimp
• Good for beginners
• Help eat excess algae

Ghost Shrimp are unique for their see-through bodies. They are inexpensive, hardy, and make good starter shrimp. Their small size does mean they can become prey for larger tankmates. But they help eat algae and detritus.

4. Bamboo Shrimp

• Originate from Southeast Asia
• Grow over 3 inches long
• Filter feeders that catch microorganisms
• Need strong current and mature tanks
• Sensitive to water conditions

With their large fans used to filter food from the water, Bamboo Shrimp stand out. They require pristine water conditions and do best in established tanks. Their size and peaceful nature allow them to coexist with most community fish.

5. Crystal Red Shrimp

• Selectively bred color variant
• Bright red and white striped pattern
• Stay under 1 inch in size
• Prolific breeders like Cherry Shrimp
• Require stable, high-quality water

Crystal Red Shrimp are a variation of Bee Shrimp bred for their striking red and white coloration. They have similar care needs to Cherry Shrimp but tend to be more sensitive. When conditions are right, they breed rapidly like Cherry Shrimp.

The Benefits of Keeping Freshwater Shrimp

From their bright colors to their behaviors, freshwater shrimp offer many benefits for aquarists:

Variety – With hundreds of shrimp species and color variations available, there are endless options to choose from. You can mix multiple shrimp types.

Algae Control – Many shrimp are excellent algae eaters that help keep tank glass and plants clean. They are like a living clean up crew.

Peaceful – Shrimp are generally peaceful, even timid. They can be added to most community tanks safely.

Beginner-Friendly – Common species like Cherry Shrimp and Ghost Shrimp are perfect starter shrimp that are hardy and easy to care for.

Breeding – Watching a colony of shrimp grow from breeding is an exciting experience. Many species readily breed in aquariums.

Active – Shrimp exhibit interesting behaviors as they constantly graze for food and explore the tank.

Low Bioload – Their small size results in a very low bioload compared to fish. You can keep large shrimp populations.

In the right tank, shrimp make an interesting and beneficial addition that can even breed and sustain themselves. They help liven up planted community tanks.

Incorporating Shrimp Into Community Tanks

Here are some tips for picking tankmates for freshwater shrimp:

• Avoid large aggressive fish that may attack shrimp
• Select small, peaceful community species
• Tetras, rasboras, guppies, and mollies are usually safe options
• Shrimp may become prey for larger predatory fish
• Tankmates should not be able compete with shrimp for food
• Other shrimp, snails, and bottom feeders make the best companions
• Provide plenty of hiding spots among plants and decor

Cherry Shrimp, Ghost Shrimp, and Amano Shrimp tend to do best in community tanks since they are hardy and peaceful. Larger shrimp like Bamboo Shrimp usually don’t get bothered by tankmates.

The biggest risk is hungry fish like cichlids attacking and eating shrimp, especially babies. Make sure any fish tankmates are not aggressive and are well-fed. Introduce shrimp once the tank is mature and stable.

Freshwater shrimp may seem unlikely, but they are fascinating creatures perfectly adapted to living in freshwater aquariums. There is a huge variety of shrimp species to explore, each with different colors, behaviors, and care needs.

Some of the most popular freshwater shrimp like Cherry Shrimp and Amano Shrimp are even good choices for beginners. Shrimp make an interesting complement to community tanks and provide benefits like algae control. Just be sure to match shrimp with compatible peaceful fish.

Hopefully this article has shed some light on the world of freshwater aquarium shrimp. Let us know if you have any other questions! They are unique invertebrates that can bring a new dynamic to freshwater tanks.