How Many Shrimp Can You Keep in a 20 Gallon Tank?

Shrimp make excellent additions to community tanks. Their bright colors and active nature bring life to the aquascape. Small shrimp like cherry shrimp and ghost shrimp have minimal bioloads, allowing you to keep large colonies in modest sized tanks. But how many is too many for a 20 gallon tank?

When stocking shrimp, you’ll want to strike a balance between avoiding overcrowding and maximizing your shrimp’s health and activity The ideal number depends on factors like shrimp species, tank mates, tank maintenance, and more. Read on for tips on successfully keeping shrimp in a 20 gallon aquarium

Optimal Density for a 20 Gallon Shrimp Tank

General guidelines suggest stocking 10-15 small dwarf shrimp per gallon of water in a dedicated species only breeding tank This allows for ideal growth rates and breeding.

For a 20 gallon community tank, a moderate stocking density of 5-7 shrimp per gallon is recommended. This allows for around 100-140 shrimp in a 20 gallon tank.

However, there are many variables to consider:

• Some species like bamboo and vampire shrimp need more personal space. Stick to 1 per several gallons.

• In community tanks, reduce density since fish add additional bioload.

• Heavily planted tanks can safely support more shrimp than sparse tanks.

• Overfiltering allows for higher stocking levels.

• Regular water changes and tank maintenance enables higher densities.

• Supplementing their diet supports shrimp health even in crowded tanks.

So while 100-140 shrimp is a good starting point, be prepared to stock less or more depending on the above factors. Observe your parameters and shrimp behavior and health and adjust as needed.

Best Shrimp for 20 Gallon Community Tanks

Here are some top shrimp species that do well in moderately stocked 20 gallon community tanks:

Cherry Shrimp

Cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) only reach about 1-2 inches in size and have very low bio-loads. Their bright red coloration makes them excellent little clean-up crew members that stand out against planted tank backgrounds. Their hardiness and prolific breeding make them a popular beginner shrimp.

Amano Shrimp

Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata) are larger at 2 inches, and have more transparent bodies. They are eager algae eaters, helping keep plant leaves clean in aquascaped tanks. Peaceful by nature, they coexist well with small community fish. Their size prevents most fish from seeing them as food.

Ghost Shrimp

Ghost shrimp (Palaemonetes paludosus) are aptly named for their pale, transparent appearance. They grow slightly larger than cherry shrimp at 2 inches, but still have minimal bio-loads. Easy to care for, they help consume debris and algae in the tank. Females may even reproduce in captivity.

Blue Velvet Shrimp

A variation of the Neocaridina family, blue velvet shrimp have rich blue-grey coloration covering their bodies. They stay under 2 inches in length and share the same hardiness and breeding ability as cherry shrimp. The striking blue hue stands out nicely against the green of planted aquariums.

Ideal Tank Conditions for Shrimp

While shrimp aren’t too demanding, providing good water quality and proper tank conditions will help your shrimp colony thrive in a 20 gallon tank:

• Stable parameters: Consistent pH between 6.5-8.0, GH 5-10, KH 3-8, temperature 65-85°F. Match parameters to species requirements.

• Filtration: Canister filters preferred for large tanks. Sponge filters great for fry-safe filtration.

• Plants: Provide hiding spots and surface area for biofilm grazing. Floating plants help dim light.

• Substrate: Planted substrate supports beneficial bacteria. Sand is easy for shrimp to sift through.

• Decor: Cholla wood, rocks, coconut caves all make good shelters.

• Low bioload: Avoid overstocking tank mates with heavy waste outputs like large fish.

Potential Tank Mates for a 20 Gallon Shrimp Tank

Here are some suitable tank mates for a moderately stocked 20 gallon shrimp tank:

• Small tetra species like ember tetra, neon tetra, cardinal tetra

• Micro rasbora like chili rasbora, mosquito rasbora

• Peaceful bottom dwellers like pygmy corydoras, khuli loaches

• Snails like nerite snails and mystery snails

• Dwarf crayfish like Mexican Dwarf Orange crayfish

• Avoid most cichlids, goldfish, crayfish, crabs, large aggressive fish

Perform regular water changes, test water parameters, and don’t overfeed to prevent buildups that could compromise shrimp health, especially in community tanks.

Making the Most of Your 20 Gallon Shrimp Tank

A standard 20 gallon aquarium offers ample space for a thriving dwarf shrimp colony when stocked conscientiously. Follow these tips to help your shrimp prosper:

• Start with 20-30 young shrimp and let the population grow naturally.

• Supplement their diet with calcium-rich foods like blanched veggies.

• Introduce moss, cholla wood, and leaf litter to enhance grazing.

• Perform 10-15% water changes weekly or biweekly depending on stocking levels.

• Use a sponge prefilter on the intake tube to prevent baby shrimp from being sucked in.

• Test for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates regularly and keep levels low.

• Remove molts promptly to prevent fouling the water.

Following the above guidelines will help you determine the ideal shrimp stocking levels for your 20 gallon tank. With good maintenance, you can responsibly keep 100+ dwarf shrimp along with compatible tank mates. Observe your shrimp colony and make adjustments as needed to maintain a healthy, active ecosystem.