From vibrant Blue Bolts to fiery Cherry Shrimp, freshwater dwarf shrimp offer a unique opportunity for aquarium hobbyists. Not only are they ideal for nano tanks, but freshwater dwarf shrimp breed readily in a well-kept aquarium, enabling you to achieve a sizeable colony with only a modest investment.
The key to cultivating a healthy shrimp colony comes down to proper setup and ongoing tank maintenance. Whether you're just starting or refining your setup, this guide provides essential tips for a shrimp colony in a beautifully planted tank.
Choosing Shrimp Species
The beauty of freshwater dwarf shrimp is that there are so many different options to choose from. Dozens of stunning variants have been developed in recent years, spanning every color of the rainbow.
Before setting up your shrimp tank, it’s essential to choose your stock so you can design your tank to the species’ preferences.
Here are some of the most popular freshwater dwarf shrimp worth considering:
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Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) – Easily one of the most popular dwarf shrimp varieties, cherry shrimp are known for their red coloration, which ranges in intensity depending on the grade.
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Blue Bolt Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) – A variety of Taiwan bee shrimp, blue bolts have bodies of sky blue that fade into a white tail (except extreme blue bolts, which are blue all over).
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Red Rili Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) – Bred from the same species as cherry shrimp, red Rili shrimp have red heads and tails with a translucent middle.
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Crystal Black Shrimp (Caridina cantonensis) – These stunning dwarf shrimp are also known as black bee shrimp, given their white bodies accented by vertical black bands.
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Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata) – Though tricky to breed, these hardy freshwater shrimp can be kept in colonies with other shrimp.
Remember, no rule says you can’t mix different shrimp varieties as long as their tank requirements are compatible. If you plan to breed your shrimp for quality, however, it may be best to stick to a single variety to avoid unwanted crossbreeding.
Shrimp Planted Tank Setup
Nano tanks are ideal for freshwater shrimp, though you may eventually need to separate some of your stock as your colony grows. For a small starter colony, a 5-gallon tank is perfectly adequate.
Just be sure to cycle your tank and give it some time to establish some algae and biofilm growth before introducing your shrimp colony.
As you’re setting up your tank, test your tap water to assess the pH and level of hardness. If your water is on the softer side and slightly acidic (pH level 5.5 to 6.5), it may be ideal for
Caridina shrimp, like Taiwan bee shrimp and Crystal shrimp. Neocaridina shrimp typically prefer slightly harder water and higher pH levels between 7.0 and 8.0 on the pH scale.
Adequate filtration is essential for a thriving shrimp tank, but it’s important to avoid creating too much current. Sponge filters are ideal, but you’ll still need to perform weekly water tests and routine water changes to maintain high water quality.
To ensure proper maintenance and care, equip your tank with an aquarium heater and thermometer to keep the water temperature steady as well.
Best Plants for Shrimp Tanks
There’s plenty of room for creativity when decorating a shrimp tank, but planted tank setups are ideal. Live plants help oxygenate the tank water and absorb excess nutrients. They also provide places for your shrimp to hide and explore, as well as surfaces on which edible algae and biofilm can grow.
If you’re going to keep plants in your shrimp tank, consider starting with a nutrient-rich substrate. Match the substrate to the type of shrimp you plan to keep. For Caridina shrimp, try an active substrate that softens tap water and maintains a lower pH.
For Neocaridina shrimp, an inert substrate may be best. You can always provide your plants with supplemental nutrients via root tabs or liquid fertilizer.
Here are some of the best plants for shrimp-planted tanks:
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Aquatic Moss – Varieties like Java moss and Christmas moss are low-maintenance options. Moss can be anchored to tank décor or left to float freely, providing hiding places for your shrimp.
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Java Fern – Another undemanding plant, Java Fern produces large leaves, and they’re highly adaptable to a variety of tank conditions.
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Anubias – These slow-growing plants are very sturdy and come in a variety of sizes to accommodate nano tanks as well as larger aquariums.
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Dwarf Lily – An excellent show plant for shrimp tanks, this plant sends shoots to the surface that grow wide leaves to shade the shrimp below.
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Hornwort – This fast-growing species is easy to cultivate and doesn’t need to be rooted in substrate, but you’ll need to trim it to prevent overgrowth.
In addition to live plants, decorate your shrimp tank with other natural décor elements like driftwood and rockwork. Porous rocks are great for growing biofilm, and driftwood can be helpful in maintaining lower pH levels.
Additional Care Tips
Aside from keeping your water quality high and tank conditions stable, providing your shrimp with a suitable diet is the best thing you can do to keep your colony thriving. Freshwater dwarf shrimp may be small, but they require frequent feeding to meet their nutritional needs.
While your shrimp will feed on algae and biofilm in the tank, it may not be enough, especially as your colony grows.
Offer your shrimp a staple diet of sinking shrimp pellets or wafers. You can also supplement their diet with fresh or frozen foods, but avoid offering high-protein foods too often. Too much protein can cause your shrimp to grow too quickly, which may interfere with healthy molts.
Calcium and other minerals are essential, however, which is why it's best to stick to commercial shrimp foods as your staple diet.
Wrapping up
So, there you have it! At the end of the day, if you want your shrimp to truly thrive in their planted tank, the key is keeping conditions as stable and consistent as possible. We hope these practical tips for a shrimp colony help make the experience of caring for them not only easier but also more rewarding and enjoyable.
If you have any questions or need personalized advice, don’t hesitate to contact us today! At Shrimpy Business, we’re here to help you build the perfect environment for your shrimp to flourish.