How to Raise Shrimp at Home: The Complete Guide for Beginners

Raising your own shrimp at home can be an enjoyable and rewarding aquaculture project. Fresh, home-grown shrimp make for delicious meals and snacks. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to get started farming shrimp in your own backyard.

Choosing the Right Shrimp Species

The first step is selecting the right type of shrimp to raise. Some top options include:

• Ghost shrimp – Easy to care for and very hardy. Great for beginners.

• Cherry shrimp – Fun bright red color. Can be kept in freshwater.

• Amano shrimp – Larger growing, Help clean algae in tanks

• Bamboo shrimp – Interesting look with fan-like filter feeding hands.

• Vampire shrimp – Require moving water More advanced care

Consider the water type (fresh vs. saltwater) temperament size, and appearance to select shrimp suited to your goals.

Setting Up the Shrimp Habitat

Shrimp require an aquarium or pond with proper filtration, aeration, and maintained water parameters. The habitat setup depends on whether you want to keep freshwater or saltwater shrimp.

Freshwater Shrimp Tanks

Most small shrimp species do well in freshwater aquariums. Here’s how to set one up:

• Tank size – 10-20 gallon aquariums are ideal for starter shrimp colonies. Allow 2 gallons per shrimp.

• Substrate – Use a fine gravel or aquarium sand. Some shrimp need sandy areas to graze.

• Filtration – A hang-on-back filter works well. Ensure low water flow. Add sponges.

• Heater – Opt for an adjustable submersible heater. Maintain temps between 70-80°F.

• Plants – Include moss, ferns and annubias. Shrimp need cover and surfaces to graze.

• Hiding spots – Add driftwood, rocks and coconut shells for shelter.

Saltwater Shrimp Tanks

Saltwater shrimp like glass shrimp have slightly different habitat requirements:

• Tank size – 30+ gallon tank minimum. Bigger is better for stable water.

• Substrate – Crushed coral or aragonite sand simulates their natural environment.

• Filtration – Use a protein skimmer, canister filter, live rock and live sand.

• Salt mix – Use a reef salt mix matched to the species’ salinity needs.

• Heater – Adjustable heaters to maintain 75-82°F temperatures.

Cycling and Water Parameters

Before adding shrimp, a tank needs to go through the nitrogen cycle. Test for 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and <20 nitrates to confirm the tank is cycled.

Maintain the following water parameters based on shrimp species:

• Temperature – Varies by type. From 68-82°F.

• pH – 6.5-8.5 range for most shrimp. Cherries like lower pH.

• GH/KH – 5-10 range ideal. Influences shell hardness.

• Salinity – 1.005-1.010 SG for saltwater. Not needed in freshwater.

• Ammonia/nitrites – Must be 0 at all times. Highly toxic.

• Nitrates – Under 20 ppm. Do regular partial water changes.

Test water frequently and correct any parameters outside ideal ranges.

Feeding Your Shrimp

A varied diet is vital to shrimp health. Their omnivorous appetite includes:

• Prepared shrimp foods – Use sinking pellets/flakes for easy feeding.

• Vegetables – Blanch zucchini, spinach, kale in boiling water. For freshwater shrimp.

• Fruits – Mango, papaya, melon provide nutrients. Remove uneaten portions promptly.

• Protein – Boil shrimp, fish, mussels, then chop up very small.

• Algae – Grow your own healthy algae or buy spirulina powder/flakes.

• Feed just enough that shrimp can consume within a few hours. Remove any uneaten food to avoid fouling the water.

Stocking Your Shrimp Colony

When starting a shrimp colony:

• Buy captive-bred shrimp from a reputable source. Avoid wild caught.

• Start with 10-15 juveniles. Allow the colony to grow gradually.

• Add shrimp slowly over several weeks. Monitor ammonia levels.

• Mix in shrimps of different ages for a stable breeding group.

• Limit tankmates. Avoid fish that may eat baby shrimp. Snails, crabs and algae eaters ok.

Breeding and Caring for Baby Shrimp

With the right environment, shrimp readily breed in home aquariums. To encourage breeding:

• Sex ratio – Aim for 2-3 females per male shrimp.

• Water changes – Increase frequency leading up to breeding. Improvement in water conditions triggers mating.

• Diet – Feed high protein foods like blanched veggies before breeding.

• Hiding spots – Provide moss, cholla wood, driftwood. Females need coverage to hide after mating.

Females carry eggs under their tails for 3-4 weeks before young shrimp hatch. Newly hatched shrimp are tiny – just a few millimeters long. Offer crushed flakes, algae powder and blanched greens while they grow.

Maintaining Water Quality

The number one key to success with shrimp is pristine water conditions.

• Test pH, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, GH, temperature 1-2 times per week.

• Change 10% of the water several times per week to replenish minerals and remove waste.

• Use dechlorinator with all water changes. Chlorine is highly toxic to shrimp.

• Clean mechanical filters monthly to remove debris and maintain flow.

• Wipe down glass algae weekly. Clean up uneaten food debris.

Harvesting Home-Grown Shrimp

Once shrimp reach adulthood after 3-5 months, they can be harvested for food. Methods include:

• Trapping – Place traps baited with food in the tank. Pull them once shrimp enter.

• Netting – Use a small aquarium net to scoop out larger shrimp. Go slow to avoid stress.

• Draining tank – Siphon out enough water so you can easily catch shrimp by hand or net.

Handle shrimp gently and transfer them immediately to clean saltwater or freshwater to purge waste. After 30-60 minutes they are ready for cooking.

Boil, sauté, grill or bake your home-grown shrimp just as you would wild caught. They make amazing ceviche and shrimp tacos!

Troubleshooting Common Shrimp Problems

Even when cared for properly, shrimp can occasionally encounter issues:

Problem: Shrimp dying soon after being added to tank

Cause: Water parameters vastly different from store tank

Solution: Acclimate shrimp slowly, adding small amounts of tank water to their bag over an hour before release

Problem: Shrimp lethargic and not eating

Cause: Poor water quality, old food, dirty substrate

Solution: Test parameters and do partial water changes as needed. Clean substrate with gravel vacuum.

Problem: Shrimp hiding all the time

Cause: Stress from poor conditions or tankmates

Solution: Review all parameters and tankmates. Add more plants and hiding spots.

Problem: White spots on shrimp

Cause: Parasitic infestation

Solution: Treat tank with an antiparasitic medication like Paraguard.

With attentive care, most shrimp problems can be overcome. Isolate and treat any sick shrimp promptly to prevent spreading issues.

From selecting the perfect shrimp species to ongoing tank maintenance, raising shrimp at home takes some effort and diligence. But the reward is having a beautiful, productive shrimp colony and freshly grown shrimp to enjoy. Start with a 10-20 gallon freshwater tank and some hardy cherry or ghost shrimp to get the hang of their care. Then expand your shrimpkeeping skills from there!