Shrimp keeping is a fun and rewarding hobby that has exploded in popularity over the last decade. From brightly colored dwarf shrimp like Cherry Reds to larger varieties like Amanos freshwater shrimp make excellent additions to planted aquariums and nano tanks. But an important question for every aspiring shrimp keeper is can shrimp live in freshwater?
The short answer is yes – there are many shrimp species that thrive in freshwater aquariums. However, not all shrimp can survive in freshwater. There are key differences between freshwater shrimp and their saltwater counterparts that determine their ability to live in freshwater environments.
In this beginner’s guide. we’ll cover everything you need to know about keeping freshwater shrimp. including
- The biology of freshwater shrimp
- Ideal water parameters
- Best freshwater shrimp for beginners
- Setting up a freshwater shrimp tank
- Shrimp tankmates
- Breeding and caring for shrimp
So let’s dive right in!
An Overview of Freshwater Shrimp Biology
Freshwater shrimp belong to two main taxonomic groups or genera – Caridina and Neocaridina. Both types of shrimp have adapted over time to thrive in freshwater environments.
Some key biological adaptations enable freshwater shrimp to survive:
- They have gills that efficiently extract oxygen from water, rather than needing saltwater.
- Their bodies regulate the balance of salts and minerals more efficiently compared to marine shrimp.
- They are able to reproduce and breed successfully in freshwater.
Meanwhile, saltwater shrimp like those we eat (Litopenaeus vannamei, Penaeus monodon etc.) cannot survive for long periods in freshwater. Their bodies are specifically adapted for marine environments.
Ideal Water Parameters for Freshwater Shrimp
While freshwater shrimp are quite hardy, they do best when kept in water with optimal parameters. Each shrimp species has its own preferred parameters. Here are some general guidelines:
Temperature
- Neocaridina species: 65-84°F
- Caridina species: 64-76°F
pH
- Neocaridina: 6.5-8.0
- Caridina: 6.0-7.5
GH (General Hardness)
- Neocaridina: 4-8 dGH
- Caridina: 4-6 dGH
KH (Carbonate Hardness)
- Neocaridina: 3-15 dKH
- Caridina: 0-2 dKH
TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)
- Neocaridina: 200-300 ppm
- Caridina: 100-200 ppm
Testing your water periodically with a liquid test kit will help maintain parameters in the ideal range. Making small, frequent water changes can also stabilize your shrimp tank.
Best Freshwater Shrimp Species for Beginners
Some of the best freshwater shrimp for beginners include:
Red Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
Cherry shrimp are very prolific, hardy, and add a pop of color to tanks. Their bright red coloration makes them stand out. They thrive in a wide range of water parameters.
Ghost Shrimp (Palaemonetes sp.)
Ghost shrimp are inexpensive and great for getting some experience keeping shrimp. They are tolerant of a range of conditions. Their translucent bodies are interesting to observe.
Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)
Amanos are larger algae-eating shrimp. They help clean up debris and algae in the tank. They are very active but less colorful than cherry shrimp.
Blue Velvet Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi var. Blue)
This blue color morph of cherry shrimp has an attractive velvety appearance. They have similar care needs to cherry shrimp but stand out with their deep blue hues.
Setting Up the Freshwater Shrimp Tank
Shrimp may be small, but they need specialized care and equipment to thrive in a home aquarium. Here are some key steps for setup:
1. Choose Appropriate Tank Size
A 5 gallon tank or larger is ideal for a beginner shrimp colony. Small 2-3 gallon nano tanks work well for housing just a few shrimp. Remember not to overstock the tank.
2. Select a Shrimp-Safe Substrate
Avoid sharp gravel or substrates containing copper. Shrimp are sensitive to copper. Choose a fine sand or aquasoil instead to provide secure footing.
3. Install Sponge Filtration
Sponge filters and pre-filter sponges on intakes provide the gentle filtration shrimp need. Avoid strong pumps or power filters that may trap baby shrimp.
4. Plant Densely with Mosses and Floaters
Shrimp feel secure with ample planting and hiding spots. Floating plants help maintain water quality. Moss makes an ideal shrimp grazing surface.
5. Use a Heater and Thermometer
Maintain a stable temperature between 68-78°F depending on species. Fluctuating temps can stress shrimp.
6. Drip Acclimate Shrimp Over Several Hours
This prevents shock when introducing shrimp to the new tank environment. Temperature match the bags.
Selecting Suitable Freshwater Shrimp Tankmates
Here are some compatible tankmates for shrimp:
- Small schooling fish like ember tetras, neon tetras, or chili rasboras
- Bottom feeders like pygmy corydoras or habrosus corys
- Snails like nerites and mystery snails
- Other shrimp like amanos or crystal shrimp
Avoid housing shrimp with aggressive fish that may eat them like bettas, goldfish, or cichlids. Also avoid crab species that may prey on shrimp.
Breeding and Caring for Freshwater Shrimp
Many popular freshwater shrimp like cherry shrimp readily breed in home aquariums once they reach maturity at 3-5 months old. Here are some tips:
- Provide plenty of hiding spots for the vulnerable young. Moss, floating plants, and cholla wood are ideal.
- Supplement their diet with mineral-rich foods to promote breeding and strong shells.
- Cull and separate any diseased or deformed looking shrimp.
- Perform small, frequent water changes to replenish minerals and maintain clean water.
- Remove predatory tankmates like fish to prevent offspring being eaten.
With optimal conditions, mature female shrimp can produce 10-30 young every few weeks, allowing your colony to grow quickly.
Freshwater shrimp make excellent introductions to the world of aquarium keeping for beginners and experts alike. By understanding their biology, providing pristine water conditions, and choosing suitable tankmates, freshwater shrimp can readily thrive and breed in home aquariums. With proper care, shrimp can live happily for 1-3 years in freshwater tanks.
So don’t hesitate to give freshwater shrimp a try – their small size and low care needs make them ideal for desktop nano tanks, while their bright colors and behaviors make them mesmerizing to observe. Let us know if you have any other questions about keeping freshwater shrimp!
Don’t Mind the Crowds
Due to their small size and lower metabolic waste output compared to fish, shrimp can be kept in smaller tanks with more of them. Still, I wouldn’t push it; it’s best to use no more than 10 to 15 shrimp per five gallons. Really, a 20-gallon tank is best for breeding. Neocaridina shrimp will reproduce a lot if they are happy. If the number of shrimp in the tank is high enough, this will happen on its own, and soon there will be lots of little shrimplets swimming around. These baby shrimp will be eaten by almost any fish, so it’s best to keep them in a tank with only shrimp or a lot of plants if you want any of them to live and become adults. I have a large, breeding colony in my densely planted high tech, which contains a small fish population.
Neocaridina shrimp originate in temperate, shallow pools in Asia. This means they don’t have to use a heater (as long as the temperature in the house stays between 65 and 80 F all year). I find that mine are most comfortable and active around 70-76 F. They like soft, acidic water, and from what I’ve seen, they breed best in water with a pH of 6 or higher. 8-7. 5, GH 4-6, and a lower KH. Even though they have these preferences, they can usually live in most situations. They can even survive in water that is a little hard, though I wouldn’t recommend it.
In many ways, shrimp are easier to care for than fish. However, they are much more affected by changes in the chemistry of their water. Please keep in mind that they are very sensitive to copper and many other metals. Giving them too much iron to make them red or adding copper to their water can kill them quickly. A complete plant fertilizer has a small amount of iron that is more than enough to make plants as bright red as possible. Low levels of iron should not hurt your Neocaridina shrimp.
Shrimp react poorly to sudden changes in water conditions, much more so than fish. After changing the water, if you see your shrimp swimming around the tank like fish, it means they don’t like the new water. So, it’s important to change the water at least once a week to keep waste from building up (two 2% changes each week is better than one 2% change).
In my high-tech tank, I change the water a lot. My shrimp don’t mind because I make sure that the new water closely matches the parameters of the water that is already in the tank (you can read more about this in my previous article about understanding water parameters). Failure to adapt to new water conditions can result in jumping behavior or death. If the shrimp are happy with the water conditions, they won’t jump or climb out of the tank.
Should you keep shrimp in high-tech tanks? Many people have success breeding Neocaridina shrimp in tanks with extra CO2, but you should watch out that the CO2 doesn’t get too high. Drop checkers can be used to make this happen; make sure they are green (not yellow). A fluctuating pH due to the CO2 levels changing is another thing to watch out for.
Neos, You are the Chosen One
Neocaridina Davidi, also known as the dwarf cherry shrimp, are hardy, adaptable, and prolific. They are a great choice for anyone interested in shrimp, especially people who are just starting out. There are many color variations, such as red, blue, black, and green. Because these colors were carefully bred, it is not a good idea to keep more than one color in the same tank. They will indiscriminately mate, and the offspring will often be a drab brown or clear color. My favorites are the “blue dream” and “black rose” varieties.
When you buy shrimp, please remember that they are social animals that do best when they are in big groups of at least ten. If it’s less than this, they’ll probably hide instead of grazing together in the open. Beginners often make the mistake of buying only a few shrimp for their community tank and then whining that they never see the shrimp.
Large or aggressive fish are not suitable tankmates for shrimp. Barbs, bettas, and other fish will often pick on or bother the shrimp, or they will just eat them for dinner. The best aquarium for you would be one with only shrimp or one with small, peaceful fish (like ember tetras or corydoras), lots of plants, and enough water.