The ghost shrimp is a small, see-through freshwater shrimp that most pet stores sell for a dollar or two. Aquarists keep them as scavengers that pick at leftover food and algae in peaceful community tanks.
Ghost shrimp usually live about 1 year in an aquarium. Some reach 1.5 to 2 years with stable water and a good diet, but many die within the first few weeks after purchase because of shipping stress or poor water. They grow to about 1 to 1.5 inches, with females a little larger.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Ghost Shrimp Facts & Overview
- What Do Ghost Shrimp Look and Act Like?
- What Tank and Water Do Ghost Shrimp Need?
- What Do Ghost Shrimp Eat?
- What Health Problems Do Ghost Shrimp Get?
- What Can Live With Ghost Shrimp?
- How Do Ghost Shrimp Molt and Live Their Short Lives?
- Can You Breed Ghost Shrimp?
- Are Ghost Shrimp Right for Your Tank?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Ghost Shrimp Facts & Overview
| Scientific Name: | Palaemonetes paludosus |
| Common names: | Ghost shrimp, glass shrimp, eastern glass shrimp |
| Distribution: | Eastern and southeastern United States (New Jersey to Florida, west to Texas) |
| Size: | 1–1.5 inches (females larger, some about 2) |
| Life expectancy: | About 1 year (up to about 2 in good conditions) |
| Color: | Transparent |
| Diet: | Omnivore scavenger (algae, biofilm, detritus, leftover food) |
| Temperament: | Peaceful |
| Minimum tank size: | 5 gallons (10 gallons is easier to keep stable) |
| Temperature: | 65–82°F (18–28°C) |
| pH: | 7.0–8.0 |
| Hardness: | 5–15 dGH |
| Care level: | Easy |
Where do ghost shrimp come from?
The ghost shrimp commonly sold in aquarium stores is Palaemonetes paludosus, also called the riverine grass shrimp. It is native to freshwater ponds, lakes, and streams of the eastern and southeastern United States, from New Jersey down to Florida and west to Texas. Some sources now place it in the genus Palaemon.
“Ghost shrimp” is a trade name, not a precise species label, so what you receive can vary by supplier.
How big do ghost shrimp get?
Most adult ghost shrimp are about 1 to 1.5 inches long. Females are larger than males, and some reach about 2 inches. Wild shrimp are often smaller, closer to 1 inch. Unlike fish, ghost shrimp have no fins. They swim with their swimmerets and walk with their legs.
How long do ghost shrimp live?
Ghost shrimp live about 1 year on average, and sources give a range of roughly 1 to 2 years in captivity. Captive lifespan depends on water quality, diet, temperature, and the condition of the shrimp when you buy them.
Many stores sell ghost shrimp as cheap live food, and the shrimp are kept in crowded tanks. That means a lot of them arrive stressed. It is normal for a few to die within days of being added, even to a healthy tank.
How much do ghost shrimp cost, and where can you buy them?
Ghost shrimp are sold at most pet stores for about $0.50 to $3 each. You can also buy them online from sellers such as AquariumFish or Aquariumfishsale.com. Pick shrimp that move around and have clear bodies. White or cloudy patches on the body can point to disease.
What Do Ghost Shrimp Look and Act Like?
Ghost shrimp are almost fully transparent, so you can see their gut, and any food they have eaten. Some have small dots or flecks on the body. Females may show a green patch near the base of the body, which is the ovary (sometimes called the saddle).
Are ghost shrimp peaceful?
Mostly, yes. Ghost shrimp are shy, active scavengers that spend their time on the substrate and plants, and in the middle of the tank. They will burrow in sand a little. They are not aggressive toward fish, but they are opportunistic and may grab very small fry, and keepers report them being territorial when crowded.
Can you keep just one ghost shrimp?
Yes. One shrimp can live alone, but they do well in small groups. Some guides list 3 to 4 shrimp per gallon, but fewer is safer because every shrimp adds to the waste load.
Do ghost shrimp molt?
Yes. They shed their shell as they grow, and the empty shell looks like a dead shrimp. Check for a hollow, see-through shell before you remove anything. Leave the shell in the tank for a day or two because the shrimp eat it to recover minerals. A freshly molted shrimp is soft and vulnerable, so give it plants or caves to hide in.
What Tank and Water Do Ghost Shrimp Need?
The minimum tank size is 5 gallons, and 10 gallons is easier to keep stable. A cycled tank is essential, because ghost shrimp react badly to ammonia and nitrite.
What are the right water parameters for ghost shrimp?
Aquarium sources give about 65-82°F (18-28°C) and a pH of 7.0-8.0. Keep the temperature steady rather than aiming for an exact number. Shrimp also need some minerals in the water to harden their shells, so very soft or acidic water is a problem.
| Water type: | Freshwater with some minerals (not very soft or acidic) |
| Tank size: | Minimum 5 gallons |
| Water temperature: | 65–82°F |
| Acidity: | 7.0–8.0 pH |
| Water hardness: | 5–15 dGH |
| Water supplements: | Calcium-rich food or a mineral supplement if water is soft; avoid copper |
Ghost shrimp are sensitive to copper, which is in some fish medicines and plant fertilizers. Read labels before you dose.
How should you set up a ghost shrimp tank?
Use sand or fine gravel, smooth rocks, driftwood, and live plants such as java moss and floating plants. Avoid sharp decor that can snag them. Fast-growing floating plants also help keep nitrate down. If you keep delicate rooted plants, bear in mind that burrowing shrimp can disturb them.
A sponge filter is ideal. It will not suck up small shrimp, and it also gives them a surface to graze on. A strong current makes it hard for them to swim, so keep flow gentle. An air pump running a sponge filter is enough in most small tanks.
What Do Ghost Shrimp Eat?
Ghost shrimp are scavengers. They eat algae, biofilm, detritus, and leftover fish food. In a tank with fish, they usually find enough scraps, but a shrimp-only tank needs direct feeding.
How often should you feed ghost shrimp?
Offer a small pinch of sinking pellets or algae wafers every other day, and add blanched vegetables such as zucchini now and then. Remove anything left after a few hours. Overfeeding fouls the water faster than it feeds the shrimp. A pinch of calcium-rich food, such as crushed cuttlebone or a mineral supplement, can help shell formation if your water is soft.
What Health Problems Do Ghost Shrimp Get?
Most deaths come from poor water, such as ammonia or nitrite spikes, copper, or sudden changes in temperature or pH. Failed molts are another common cause.
What are the signs of illness in ghost shrimp?
- Fuzzy white growth on the tail, legs, or snout. This is usually vorticella, a protozoan. Clean water, good filtration, and a short salt treatment are the usual advice.
- A pink, swollen, or red spot on the body, which points to a bacterial infection. These are usually fatal, so move the shrimp out so it does not spread.
- Staying on the surface, lethargy, or not eating, which point to water problems.
Are ghost shrimp dangerous to other tank mates?
No. Ghost shrimp are not dangerous, but they can pick at weak or dying fish and eat tiny fry. Crowding makes them more aggressive.
What Can Live With Ghost Shrimp?
Choose small, peaceful tank mates. Large or predatory fish will eat ghost shrimp, and many common fish will treat them as food. Bettas, cichlids, and most large fish are risky. Good tank mates include:
- Cherry shrimp
- Amano shrimp
- Kuhli loaches
- Freshwater snails
- Cory catfish
- Vampire shrimp
Adult ghost shrimp may eat baby cherry shrimp, so keep them apart if you want to breed other shrimp.
How Do Ghost Shrimp Molt and Live Their Short Lives?
A short lifespan is normal for ghost shrimp. To get the most of it, buy shrimp from a seller that keeps them in clean tanks, acclimate them slowly with a drip over 30 to 60 minutes, and avoid copper.
Molting happens often, with the frequency depending on feeding and growth. Hiding spots help them survive the soft-shell period.
Can You Breed Ghost Shrimp?
Yes. Ghost shrimp breed in aquariums if there are no predators. Keep more females than males. You can tell females by their larger size and the green saddle.
A female carries her eggs under her body for roughly three weeks. Eggs may hatch earlier or later depending on temperature. When the eggs are about to hatch, move the female to a separate tank with a sponge filter, since adults can eat the larvae. Feed the babies tiny foods such as powdered fry food until they grow. Move the female back after the young hatch.
How should you acclimate new ghost shrimp?
Shrimp react badly to sudden changes in temperature and water chemistry. Float the bag for 15 minutes, then drip tank water into a container with the shrimp for 30 to 60 minutes before moving them over with a cup or net. Don’t pour the store water into your tank.
How can you tell male and female ghost shrimp apart?
Females are larger and rounder in the belly, and a mature female may show a green saddle or green eggs under her body. Males are slimmer and smaller. You will see the difference best when you compare several adults.
Are Ghost Shrimp Right for Your Tank?
Ghost shrimp suit you if you want a cheap, low-maintenance scavenger for a small, peaceful tank. Don’t expect them to live for years, and don’t add them to a tank with big or aggressive fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do pet shrimp typically live?
Ghost shrimp live about 1 year on average, and up to about 2 years in good conditions. Many stores sell stressed shrimp, so some die in the first weeks.
Are ghost shrimp hard to take care of?
No, they are low-maintenance once settled, but they are sensitive to bad water. They need a cycled tank of 5 gallons or more, gentle flow, some minerals in the water, no copper and slow acclimation. Most early deaths trace back to one of those.
Why are my ghost shrimp dying?
The most common causes are ammonia or nitrite in the water, copper, sudden changes in water chemistry, and stress from shipping. A failed molt can also kill a shrimp. Test the water first.
Should I leave dead shrimp in the aquarium?
No. Remove a dead shrimp promptly, because it decays and releases ammonia that can spike in a small tank. First make sure it is not a molt: a hollow, see-through shell is a molt and can stay for a day or two, since the shrimp eat it. If you are unsure, move the shrimp to a separate container and watch it.
How many ghost shrimp should you keep per gallon?
1 to 2 shrimp per gallon is a safer start than the 3 to 4 per gallon some guides list. Heavy stocking raises ammonia and may cause fights over space.
Can ghost shrimp live with bettas?
It is risky. Many bettas will hunt shrimp, and a tank with a lot of cover only gives some protection. Keep an eye on the tank and be ready to separate them.
- Can ghost shrimp live with neon tetras?
- How do you keep ghost shrimp alive?
- Can ghost shrimp live with guppies?
- Can a Ghost Shrimp Live With a Betta? (Yes, If...)
- How many ghost shrimp can I put in a 10-gallon tank?
- Can ghost shrimp live alone?
- Why is my shrimp dying?
- Is my ghost shrimp dead or molting?
- Is it ok to leave dead shrimp in the tank?
- Is my ghost shrimp male or female?
- Can ghost shrimp live without a heater?
- Why do ghost shrimp jump out of water?
- Why do ghost shrimp turn white?
- Why are my ghost shrimp dying?
- How long do ghost shrimp live for?
- Should I remove dead ghost shrimp?
- What conditions do ghost shrimp need?
- Will ghost shrimp clean my tank?
I have some questions about keeping ghost shrimp. I started a small tank, in anticipation of housing a betta, but I have not done so yet. i established a zebra snail, tiger snail, and three ghost shrimp to cycle the tank. I ended up with two female shrimp who had eggs and one small male to start. I can see the two females and they have since lost their eggs, but the male has been hard to find. I did a water change today and I’m not sure if I have a shed (stuck to a live plant) or a dead male. I can see the two females. At this point I’m more interested in making sure that my water quality is good before I even think about adding a betta. I’m also worried about the shrimp. I’ve done water changes and checks. I had some teak wood in the the tank that I hoped would lower the hardness, but it lowered it way more than I thought, even after doing water changes. I took the teak out, but I’m not sure where to go from here. I’ve been testing the water and my water is still too acidic. I’ve been working on going through the cycle of the tank, but in every test, my nitrate and nitrite level is low. Chlorine is zero. I don’t really know where to go from here. Right now, I’m looking at making sure I can take care of ghost shrimp before I even introduce a betta. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong with cycling the water. Any advice/help would be appreciated. Thank you!
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for your message. We always recommend that you do fishless cycle (including other aquarium animals too). It may take slightly longer but it is always safest for all the fish/invertebrates involved.
Since you have already cycled your tank with shrimp and snails, all I can do is advice you from here, but if you ever happen to cycle a tank again, don’t put any creatures into it. You can read more about setting up your first tank in our article here: http://fishkeepingworld.com/how-to-set-up-a-fish-tank/
Great that your chlorine levels are at 0. Your nitrite levels need to be at zero too, and your nitrate levels should be low (you carry out water changes to keep these low).
Just wait until your nitrite levels are down. You tank needs to build up a specific bacteria which converts the ammonia to nitrites. Once this has been established, you’ll see the nitrite levels coming down.
With regards to the acidity problem, have you checked your regular tap water? While it’s unusual for tap water to be acidic, this does happen from time to time. If you’re sure it’s the wood you’ve put in (some wood can alter the pH of the water), you can boil it to remove the toxins. In the meantime, there are plenty of products you can buy to raise the pH, just make sure you do it really slowly to stop your current inhabitants getting stressed.
Keep an eye of the shrimp on the plant, and just take it out in a few days if you’re sure it’s dead (or just the shed exoskeleton).
Robert
When the ghost shrimp dies, it usually takes on a peach colour, I have found this out by breeding and online.
oh wow. today I found a clear shrimp shed, but at the time I thought it was a dead shrimp. I was freaked about until I saw a page about ghost shrimp molting. thanks for the description though! should be helpful.
Don’t do water changes, Toncontrary believe water changes aren’t good for your tank. Keep the water you have for an extended time, get a pleco in there as well as some Cory cats, there a dirtier fish but they will help you get your water right, there also very hard to hurt or kill as they adapt quickly to there New tank.
Absolutely wrong…
Hi, I’ve recently lost a ghost shrimp that had difficulty molting, what can I do to prevent this in the future. I’d like to breed them with minimal loss.
Common causes of that impact molting are GH, KH and TDS. Check that your water parameters are all at the levels they’re supposed to be at.
Robert
I am wondering- how many babies can a ghost shrimp have at a time? I have tried google, but it says everything BUT what I searched for.
They usually carry 20-30 eggs at any one time. Thanks Robert
Thanks
Are ghost shrimp okay to keep with guppies?
Hi Anna, yes ghost shrimp are fine to keep with guppies. You can read more about keeping guppies on our care guide here: http://fishkeepingworld.com/guppies/ Thanks, Robert
Are ghost shrimp okay with goldfish?
Hi Ella, they might be OK being kept with slower fancy goldfish varieties? Which goldfish do you have? Thanks, Robert
I just purchased 3 ghost shrimp and in less than an hour my 2, 3 inch koi fish gobbled them up. The 3 smaller gold fish seamed to be less interested. I am going to buy more shrimp tomorrow because I feel they should be able to survive in my aquarium because there are plenty of rocks and plant to hide in and around. I did a lot of rearranging and stirring up in the process and they were possibly struggling to maintain a safe shelter.
I had a Betta in a 1/2 gallon ‘betta tank’ for two weeks until I did some research on why he was lethargic and found out they need more! And filtration and airation…
So I set up a little 3.5 gallon bio bubble…horrible little tank, has a wicked current and it’s an absolute pain to do water changes or anything else you need to do.
So I bought a new 10gallon tank with all the fixings (whoever said betta’s are a cheap fish don’t do it right!), Did the cycle, added the Betta and a snail I had got the the 3.5g, a week later added 3 Cory catfish and a week later added 3 ghost shrimp (the store said they went well together). The Betta has left everyone alone though and seems happy in his tank with the others. I’m wondering if I could get a few more shrimp and if so should I stick to the ghost shrimp or could I get others?
My water is hard
GH 180
KH 180
PH 7.5
NO2 0
NO3 0
Hi Jennifer, the reason ghost shrimp work so well with Bettas is that they are see-through and so don’t attract too much attention. You could keep other shrimp with them with caution such as cherry shrimp (http://fishkeepingworld.com/cherry-shrimp/) or amano shrimp (http://fishkeepingworld.com/amano-shrimp/). Thanks, Robert
My beta killed ghost shrimp and snails
I have two pregnant ghost shrimp and I’m wondering how the process of having the babies will be if I do not separate them into an isolation tank. How many are likely to survive and how long until they are big enough to see so that I can clean the tank without killing those that survive?
Hi Trisha, I wouldn’t recommend keeping them in a community tank, or even with the mother once they’re born as they’re extremely likely to be eaten. Thanks, Robert
There are these small clear things attached to one of our fake plants that have been there about 2 weeks. They appear to be growing but they’re still so small it’s hard to tell. We had a berried female ghost shrimp so could these be her babies? They’re not swimming or floating around; they’re just attached to the plant and too small to make out any features although they are clear. How fast do the babies grow?
Hi Emily, The eggs normally stay attached to the mother until they are ready to hatch (around 21 days), she will then flick them off so it is possible that what you’re seeing are tiny shrimp. They’re barely even visible for the first few weeks. If your tank is well established there will probably be enough algae in there for them to eat, if not you’ll need to add some power based feeds such as spirulina. They should be fully grown within 5 weeks. Thanks, Robert
So I have a small 5 gallon tank, I did a creatureless cycle then added my snail and ghost shrimp, about 2 monthsater (4 days ago) I added one more ghost shrimp and a few small chili rasbora. As was well, unfortunately now I cant find my shrimp! My 4 year old and I have been searching in the tank. I do have a few plants and a little wood for them to hide but it’s been two days with no shrimp.sightings. is this normal? I feel like this is a dumb question but how could my little shrimp just disappear?
Hi Erika, do you have many hiding places in there? It’s very likely that he is hidden away! Thanks, Robert
I’m shocked to read that the lifespan is around a year. My little guy had been with us for at least 3 years now! The neighborhood kids have named him Mr. Professor and love trying to find him. When they can’t, they say he’s gone to his laboratory in the “basement” of the tank. Haha. How lucky are we to have had him for so long?!!!
I’ve been wanting to get some shrimps for weeks now to deal with dead plant matters (lots of new moss but isn’t doing too well probably cuz of algae) and was shocked that no one in the big fish club have any Cherries. I found some rare blue but shipping is outrageous when it should be free. Finally, with the mosses getting worse, I just had to grab some shrimps and the Ghost are the only option/color at PetsMart. Was surprised at them being only 39¢ and I grabbed all 8 that they had. Now they are in the tank with no problem so far with my sweet Betta. He isn’t bothering them. I’ve saw one went face to face with him and he was totally chill. Another rode on his back, lmao!!! Hope it doesn’t take long to see results for them to eat the dead/decaying brown stuff of the mosses.
I read that you could put shrimp with Betas so I did. I don’t know how many I’ve put in there total but I’ll say this, only 3 ghost shrimp have survived and 0 colored shrimp survived. The colored shrimp seem to disappear within 1-2 days. I finally have a shrimp only tank now with 1 pregnant female and I think I just got 2 more females. But I need more tanks cause I want to separate all the colors so I don’t end up with brown or grey shrimp. I also am concerned about moving my pregnant female because I’m afraid it’ll stress her out too much and because I don’t like the idea of having her in a breeder box for weeks. I had her in this tank by herself for weeks hoping she would have them before I got any more shrimp but I gave up thinking she was ever going to have them. But I know I’m an impatient person so maybe it just hasn’t been long enough. Hopefully I can get another tank set up before she has them so she doesn’t have to go in a breeder box! Just thought I’d share my experience with shrimp and Betas. Btw, my Beta didn’t start eating them until I put the colored ones in there with him.
I have a pair of ghost shrimps I noticed she was carrying eggs in her belly I put her in a tank on her own waited for her dropping the eggs but I cant find them what am I doing wrong thanks
Hi Helen, did you allow time for the male to fertilize the eggs before moving her? Thanks, Robert
I bought three ghost shrimp for my African dwarf frog to eat. He hasn’t eaten them yet, but I noticed that one of them was pregnant a few days ago. Now there is a cluster of semi see through things. They are piled up on the bottom of the tank and they each have little black eyes but they do not move at all. There has to be at least 30 of them. Is this the baby ghost shrimp?
Hi Angelle, when you say she looked pregnant, what did you see? Shrimps carry their eggs and in this species, they’ll be a greenish color and will be attached to the shrimps legs. Thanks, Robert
I dont know if anyone is still keeping up on this page, I just bought 48 ghost shrimp to breed and start feeding my Gold, turquoise, green, Severums. Plus one Oscar. They are in a separate tank and hopefully when the mother gets eggs I’ll move them to another separate tank with a sponge filter, so the little ones survive! This article was really helpful, anymore tips for breeding in large amounts such as the 48 I got.
We have two yellow belly sliding turtles that we would like to get some ghost shrimp to help with upkeep of the tank. Do you have any advice on how to clean the tank once we introduce the shrimp? We have to change their water currently about once a week, every two weeks at most. I’m hoping this will extend the time unless this is the norm? As novice aquatic pet keepers, any information you can help with would be greatly appreciated!!
I have a few ghost shrimps in my guppie tank. One of my shrimps has turned a beige color. I read that she is having issues with molting and that I need to add Iodine to my water. Is this true?
I have an online friend who claims to have a 6 yr old ghost shrimp. Is this some kind of record for longevity?
I’ve been keeping Ghost Shrimp in my 65g community as cleaners and critters of interest.
I have a well planted tank with lots of hides for both fish and invertebrates.
This morning, I spied two tiny sets of antennae belonging to two 1/2 centimeter juvenile shrimp! Against all odds, they are maintaining numbers.
And, I have a renewable and constant food source for my fish, namely my Peacock Gudgeon Gobies :-)>
Hi Leigh Ann, as a turtle keeper myself, all my life, I would like to know size of tank, diet etc. I would think ghost shrimp would be eaten as soon as they could catch them. You should have a basking place with a uvb/uva light bulb. An overturned clay flowerpot with a flat Rock works well if your turtles are still small. A clamp lamp with a reptile bulb directed at the basking rock works and is cheap. There are internal filters made for turtles, but I use a powerfilter that hangs on the top of the tank, because I have my water level a few inches from the top of the tank. I also have a full hood with a long turtle bulb. You can feed dark lettuces, crickets, earthworms etc. I cut up fish and raw shrimp in bite-sized pieces, and put reptile vitamins on it. I freeze it in snack size bags, in meal size portions, or amt you can use in a couple days, if you have little guys. A couple feeder goldfish are good clean-up buddies until the turtle gets them. Vary the diet, keep them warm, (submersible heater a must) scoop out leftover food,if you don’t have goldfish, and they should live many years. Hope this helps!
I would advise leaving the molts in the take, as the shrimp will often eat them to regain some minerals they lose
can you change their colors?
Hello. I have some ghost shrimps in my aquarium, some of them are peaceful , some of them are not. They went after my guppies… Is this behavior natural for the shrimp?
Do Ghost Shrimp go well with Black Neon Tetras
Will my clown loaches eat my ghost shrimp if I put them in the same tank?
I have had a ghost shrimp for about 8 months and I just got a new betta fish in my tank to replace my other that had died. Twice now I have found the ghost shrimp up on the side of the tank out of the water. I have managed to get it back into the water and it seems like it is fine. Is the poor thing completely traumatized by the betta fish. It got along (seemingly) with the other betta fish. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Do ghost and cherry shrimp make noise? I have been noticing a cicada like noise coming from my tank and wonder if it’s them.
I got a 30 gal tank,I started with 12 wild caught ghost shrimp, 3 crawfish, and 2 turtles, (one red ear slider and one yellow belly slider), all plants and rocks are from the wild, nothing store bought except food. I now have too many shrimp and 7 crawfish. Still got the turtles also. Plenty of hiding spots and bigger river stones make great crevices for them to hide. I think the turtles enjoy the shrimp cleaning there shells. The shrimp are just as cool to watch as the turtles are. Thanks for the tips about the Ph,
Info good and helpful, however, not so fast to give bettas bad wrap please. I have a solo male Koi in 10 gallon w/10+ ghost and solo female Koi in 2.6 gallon w/several ghost. Everyone gets along just fine. When I approach tank to feed male, the shrimp and betta rise to the top for food and all done peacefully together. It’s fun to watch while I can rest my tank kept clean and nitrites low to none. My advice: research the temperament of your betta especially if male. Like people, bettas have unique personalities too. My understanding Koi most docile.
Hey everyone..I have a question…I have 2 tanks for my shrimp bc one has the two moms n one dad n the other is all my beautiful but still very micro sized shrimp babies…the parents tank is fine but my babies tank is super cloudy. I have a few plants in the babies tank but I can’t figure out why it looks so cloudy or “dirty”. I checked my levels and only thing that’s reading a bit higher than usual is the nitrites…any ideas how to safely reduce that? I have quite a few babies and don’t wanna lose any if possible! (They are pets not food) also if anyone can recommend a good filter for the babies tank n where to look that be great! I had to make a filter to go over the intake so my babies didn’t get sucked in bc I can’t find any anywhere near me…Thank you so much for your time!
I had a berried ghost shrimp about a month ago. The eggs hatched in the tank with other fish because I didn’t want babies and didn’t separate them. After about a week, I saw the larvae floating around and a week later, I saw about 3 babies crawling on the gravel. They were big enough to not be eaten. Then, they dissapeared and I haven’t found them since a few days ago. Where could they have gone?
I have a 55 gallon tank with a large cascade filter and 2 underwater gravel filters. A grate underneath the gravel, usual old time setup. Just seemed an offbeat, not the usual tank set-up these days.
I have kuhli loaches, bristlenose plecos, bronze corydoras and just added 10 small mystery snails.
I want to add some more fish, I am thinking about getting more fish (several months ago I lost my almost foot long goldfish, some loaches, some corydoras and some bristlenose – I believe the filter medium wasn’t properly neutralized and had traces of bleach…..everything is now fine)the corydoras are spawning and laying eggs like crazy since the goldfish are gone.
The fish I am looking to add are tetras (cardinal and super blue emperor) chinese algae eaters (lost him too) tiger barbs and some ghost shrimp.
They, according to the charts should all get along.
I used to find my plecos trying to suck the slime coat off the goldfish.
I also HAD 2 turtles (at different times, found as hatchlings) which I found near dead and nursed back. They were always harassing the mystery snails, and I found him eating one that he finally got to come out of his shell.
I live in Florida on the west coast gulf area, we have all kinds of free pets, you don’t even have to look…
My ghost shrimp are 3 years old. I got them for black fungus in my 55 gallon molly tank (which they took care of in a couple of months). My last 4 mollies recently died at 2.5 years old.
The shrimp live in a very mature tank. For the last 1.5 years, I have only added water due to evaporation and do not need to remove any because of the good health of my aquarium. There is a little salt; when I used to do water changes in the past I would add 4 tbsp. for 20% water removal.
I thought I would take the shrimp to the pet store but I don’t want to give the pet store old shrimp that will die soon.
I don’t think these shrimp are decedents of my original shrimp for two reasons: 1. the mollies would eat tiny shrimp fry and/or 2. the filter would suck them in.
Everything online says ghost shrimp would only live around a year or so, maybe up to 2 under very good conditions. Should I take them to the pet store or just wait until they die?
I admit, they are very interesting if you can observe them closely, but it’s very hard to see details unless they get near the glass.
I don’t plan on getting any other fish. I only had the mollies because my mother couldn’t keep caring for them. It’s been a long 6 years with molly babies and more babies and more babies…thank goodness for the nearby fish store that would trade young mollies. I finally lucked out when these last four mollies never had babies.
I just thought of this: what if the ghost shrimp successfully breed now that the mollies are gone?