do shrimp clean tanks

The Unsung Heroes of The Aquarium: Do Shrimp Really Clean Tanks?

With their tiny size and translucent bodies, shrimp often go unnoticed in home aquariums Yet these miniature crustaceans play a hugely beneficial role in the tank – they are excellent natural cleaners that help maintain water quality and reduce algae. But do shrimp really clean tanks as effectively as claimed? Let’s dive into the details

As an avid aquarist and shrimp enthusiast for over a decade, I’ve had the pleasure of keeping various shrimp species in my planted tanks. While they certainly don’t replace proper tank maintenance, I’ve found shrimp to be invaluable helpers when it comes to keeping the tank clean. Here’s what I’ve learned.

How Do Shrimp Clean Aquariums?

Shrimp clean tanks in a few key ways

1. Eating debris and algae

One of the primary ways shrimp help clean tanks is by eating any uneaten fish food, decaying plant matter or algae in the tank. Their continuous grazing helps prevent debris accumulation and keeps algae under control.

For example, Amano shrimp are well known algae eaters that will devour hair algae, green spot algae, brown algae and more. I’ve had great success controlling stubborn black beard algae outbreaks in my tanks using Amano shrimp.

1. Aerating substrate

As shrimp sift through the substrate looking for food, they aerate the gravel and prevent anaerobic pockets from forming. This is especially helpful for heavily planted tanks.

Shrimp like Corydoras catfish have stiff barbels designed specifically for digging into the substrate. They constantly shuffle the bottom, keeping it clean and oxygenated.

1. Eating parasites on fish

Some shrimp species like cleaner shrimp actually eat parasites right off fish! The fish allow the shrimp to come close and pick parasites off their body and gills.

It’s a symbiotic relationship – the shrimp gets a nutritious meal while the fish gets cleaned. In marine tanks, cleaner shrimp like the Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp perform this duty.

1. Consuming microorganisms

Shrimp help clean tanks by feeding on microorganisms like bacteria, protozoa and fungi. While not completely eliminating them, shrimp help keep their populations in check.

For example, some shrimp species will readily consume hydra, a nuisance pest in aquariums. Shrimp also feed on debris like fish poop, preventing it from decomposing in the tank.

As you can see, shrimp contribute to aquarium cleanliness in diverse ways. But just how effective are they really? Let’s evaluate their cleaning prowess.

How Effective Are Shrimp at Cleaning Aquariums?

Based on my experience, here is an honest assessment of how well shrimp clean home aquariums:

• Excellent at cleaning algae off decor, glass and slow growing plants. Shrimp should help greatly reduce the need for manual algae scrubbing.

• Moderate to excellent at cleaning substrate, depending on shrimp species and population density. Shrimp like Corydoras catfish are especially efficient.

• Moderate to excellent at aerating substrate and preventing anaerobic pockets. Again depends on shrimp species and numbers.

• Minimal to moderate impact on cleaning water column itself. Occasional molts and biological processes still create some waste.

• Excellent at consuming microorganisms like hydra, fungi and protozoa. Very effective pest control.

• Minimal to moderate impact on nitrates, phosphates and other dissolved organics. Plants and water changes still essential.

• Minimal to moderate impact on fish waste and uneaten food removal. Cannot fully substitute routine gravel vacuuming.

The key is maintaining a well-populated, healthy shrimp colony. Understocked shrimp numbers will have negligible impact, while a thriving population can make a visible dent in tank cleaning needs.

For best results, shrimp should be viewed as an aquarium cleaning supplement, not a complete substitute for manual care and maintenance. Their efforts will greatly reduce, but not eliminate, the need for regular filter cleaning, water changes and substrate vacuuming.

Let’s look at some suitable shrimp species and how many you need per gallon for optimal cleaning:

Best Shrimp Species For Cleaning Aquariums

Here are some top shrimp choices for helping clean planted and community tanks:

• Amano Shrimp: Excellent algae eater suitable for most community tanks. Need 2-3 per 5 gallons.

• Ghost Shrimp: Hardy shrimp that consumes all kinds of debris. Get 3-5 per 5 gallons.

• Bamboo Shrimp: Feeds on microorganisms and organic particles using fans. Keep 1 per 5 gallons.

• Cherry Shrimp: Colorful dwarf shrimp, great for planted tanks. Ideal population is 10-15 per 5 gallons.

• Nerite Snails: While not shrimp, these are one of the best algae eating snails around. Keep 1 per 2-3 gallons.

Make sure to supplement their diet with shrimp pellets, blanched veggies and algae wafers. A well-fed shrimp colony will be even more active and efficient at cleaning your tank.

Ideally combine a cleanup crew of 2-3 shrimp species along with algae eating snails like Nerites for maximum aquarium cleaning power!

How Should You Maintain a Shrimp Tank?

While shrimp will lighten your tank maintenance workload, their aquariums still require care and attention. Here are some key tips:

• Weekly 10-20% water changes are a must, along with monitoring water parameters. Don’t rely solely on shrimp to control nitrates and waste.

• Use a fine filter intake sponge to prevent baby shrimp from getting sucked in. Clean pre-filter sponges during water changes.

• Feed shrimp a varied diet including algae wafers, blanched veggies and calcium-rich foods to promote molting.

• Ensure stable water parameters, especially temperature and pH. Shrimp are sensitive to fluctuations.

• Provide plenty of hiding spots with plants like moss and cholla wood. Also use shrimp-safe decor.

• Limit tankmates to peaceful community fish that won’t eat adult shrimp. Avoid known shrimp predators.

• Increase water movement and surface agitation to improve oxygenation. Add air stones if needed.

Following these guidelines, your shrimp will thrive and reward you by helping keep the tank clean!

Troubleshooting Common Shrimp Tank Problems

Even in well-maintained tanks, issues can pop up. Here are some common shrimp tank problems and how to fix them:

Cloudy water: Often caused by bacterial blooms when cycling a new tank or if overfed. Improve filtration, increase water changes and reduce feeding.

Shrimp dying soon after addition: Likely due to water parameter differences from the store. Acclimate shrimp slowly and ensure your water matches their needs.

Shrimp hiding all the time: Usually a sign of stress. Check water parameters and temperature. Improve hiding spots and plants. Reduce tankmates.

Shrimp losing color: Can be caused by poor nutrition, deteriorating water quality, molting issues, or bacterial infections. Address diet and environment.

Low shrimp activity: Typically due to low oxygen levels. Increase surface agitation and/or add air stone to raise dissolved oxygen.

Rapid algae growth: Lighting period may be too long. Reduce light duration to 6-8 hours max, improve plant growth, manually remove some algae and increase shrimp population.

By quickly identifying and resolving any issues, your shrimp will thrive and repay you with their excellent tank cleaning services!

The Verdict: Should You Get Shrimp for Your Tank?

Hopefully this article gave you a good overview of the pros, cons and realistic cleaning capabilities of aquarium shrimp. While they cannot completely replace routine tank maintenance, a thriving shrimp colony will significantly reduce your workload.

Before getting shrimp, make sure your tank is well established, stable and does not contain known shrimp predators. When starting with a hardy species like Ghost or Amano shrimp, even newer tanks often have success.

I highly recommend keeping shrimp for any planted or community aquarium over 10 gallons. They bring color, activity and diversity while benefiting your tank’s health. Just be sure to meet their care needs for best results.

Personally, I love having shrimps like Cherry and Bamboo shrimp in my planted tanks. They are understated but important contributors that help the entire aquatic community thrive. I’ll continue keeping and breeding shrimp as long as I’m in the hobby!