Aquarium shrimp types and maintenance. Do cherry shrimp need quarantine? Aquarium tiger shrimp
No matter how popular Caridina Japonica, Red Crystal and Taiwan Bee shrimp are, there will always be aesthetes in the world who can tell, show and surprise fellow hobbyists with the presence of fresh and interesting species.
In this article we will talk about domestic shrimps that live and breed in Russia. No matter how strange it may sound and no matter how northern and snowy Russia may seem, yes, indeed, shrimp live here.
But which ones exactly, the story about them is below.
Name: Freshwater Khanka shrimp
Scientific name:
Habitat: Far East (Khanka Island), river. Amur
Description: Freshwater shrimp is a small, translucent crustacean. Belongs to crustaceans (ten-legged crayfish). The body is translucent. Consists of segments: the three anterior thoracic segments are fused with the head and covered with a carapace. Its front end is elongated into a long spike. The forelimbs are transformed into jaws. Five pairs of hind pectoral legs are attached to the free thoracic segments. The abdominal region consists of the abdomen, to which swimming legs - pleopods - are attached. The limbs of the last segment of the abdomen are modified into wide plates that form a tail fan. The jaws are well developed and serve for grinding food. Two pairs of mustaches, one pair very long. The claws are small, weak, but tenacious. Ten pairs of jointed legs. The shrimp's eyes are large, on short stalks. Sex can be determined when the shrimp reaches a size of 8-10 mm. Females larger than males. In males, the first pair of abdominal legs is longer and the second pair has an additional process
Size: 3-4 cm. Males are 1-1.5 cm larger than females.
Conditions of detention: pH 6.1-7.5 KN no data GH no data t 18-28, optimal 21-24
In the aquarium, shrimp act as orderlies, removing hidden bloodworms or tubifex from the ground using their claws. Adults do not disdain detritus; they eat dead fish and rotting plant leaves. Shrimp need clean, oxygen-rich water. Active during the day. Tendencies towards cannibalism.
Breeding: Sexual maturity is reached at approximately 1 year of age. The female lays up to 200 eggs. The development time of the eggs depends on the water temperature: 2-4 weeks. The hatching larvae go through three stages of development before turning into tiny shrimp. Juvenile shrimp are fed with yeast, then with “live dust”, small worms, fish, meat, etc. Juveniles are sensitive to water quality.
Name:
Scientific name:
Habitat: from r. Tymi and O. Iturupa to Genzan and Kyushu in brackish waters and fresh water bodies located close to the sea. Common at the mouths of rivers flowing into Peter the Great Bay.
Description:
By midline shell 1 spike. There are 4-6 spines along the upper edge of the beak. The tip of the beak is usually two-pronged. The beak is almost straight; its end extends approximately 1/5 of its length beyond leading edge scaphocerites. Of the three antennal whips of the 1st pair, two are fused together with 8-10 segments.
Size: 3-4 cm.
Conditions of detention: pH no data KH no data GH no data t 18-28, optimal 21-24
Behavior. Keeping in captivity: no data
Breeding: no data
Name: Eastern Japanese shrimp
Scientific name:
Habitat: Far East, Amur River
Description: The first pair of jaws of the animal ends in massive claws, somewhat disproportionate to the body of the shrimp; in mature males they are painted brick-red, in females they are bright orange. The walking legs at the bottom are colored white. A distinctive feature of all freshwater shrimp Macrobrachium nipponense is a distinct black cross streak on the back of the animal, which is framed in a white frame. The color of Macrobrachium nipponense is quite bright; as the shrimp ages, it becomes more saturated. The translucent body of shrimp of this species has a brownish tint. The eyes are transparent or milky-whitish.
Size: males up to 6 cm females up to 8 cm
Conditions of detention: pH 6.5-6.8 KN no data GH 8-10 t 22-30 optimal 24-25
Behavior. Keeping in captivity: Intraspecific aggression is developed, not only between males, but also between females. Territorial. They are peaceful towards individuals of the opposite sex. Omnivorous. It is possible to attack fish at night. They are unpretentious in content. Sensitive to water quality and oxygen content.
Breeding: The female carries the eggs for 3-4 weeks. According to some sources, the larval stage is present and takes several days (about 5); from other sources, this species does not have a larval stage.
Name: Palemon largefingered
Scientific name:
Habitat: Found in Peter the Great Gulf, off the Korean Peninsula Description: There are 2-3 spines along the midline of the shell. The beak is almost straight; its end
extends approximately 1/4 of its length beyond the anterior margin of the scaphocerites. Of the three antennal whips of the 1st pair, two (short and one of the long ones) are fused together with 5-9 segments. Color: the body is usually transparent, sometimes with a dark green or olive tint.
Size: up to 6.5 cm
Conditions of detention: pH no data KN no data GH no data t no data
Behavior. Captivity: no data
Breeding: no data
Name: Far Eastern freshwater shrimp
Scientific name:
Habitat: lake Khanka r. Amur and in the river Suifune
Description: The beak has a straight upper edge and a slightly convex lower edge. One-toothed,
the end of the beak directed straight forward protrudes slightly beyond the anterior edge of the scaphocerites. Of the three antennal whips of the 1st pair, two are fused together with 6-7 segments. The body is translucent, so the color of the shrimp depends on the type of food eaten, as well as the color of the soil.
Size: 3-3.5 cm
Conditions of detention: pH 6.5-7 KN no data GH 10 t 15-30 optimal 21-24
Behavior. Keeping in captivity: Omnivorous. They play the role of orderlies. Tendencies towards cannibalism. In case of stress, they are capable of arbitrarily tearing off limbs in cases of danger. After molting, the limbs are regenerated. Active during the daytime. Demanding on water quality and oxygen content.
Breeding: Sexual maturity is reached at approximately 1 year of age. The female lays up to 100 eggs. The development time of the eggs depends on the water temperature: 2-4 weeks.
Shrimp are, without a doubt, a bright addition to any aquarium. It is a rare aquarist who, having seen this aquatic organism, will not want to have it in his collection. And then the question of the great variety of species of these arthropods arises before him. After all, there are a huge variety of shrimp species for aquarium keeping, although their diversity is often underestimated. All, without exception, types of aquarium shrimp are equally similar to each other in structure, but differ greatly; there are small shrimp (1.8 cm) and truly large specimens (up to 35 cm) from each other in size. Of course, the coloring of the shrimp deserves special attention.
Classification issues
Classification of domestic shrimp is a complex and ambiguous issue because... There is no strict certainty on this issue. Of course, you can divide these aquarium inhabitants by size, color, origin, but this will entail even greater confusion and gossip. Strictly speaking, aquarium shrimp can definitely be divided in only two ways. By belonging to one or another family: Caridina, Neocaridina, Macrobrachium, Palaemonidae. Or by habitat - marine or freshwater, the latter, by the way, will be discussed later.
Within the crystal shrimp variety there is its own classification based on color.
All types of aquarium shrimp
As they say, it’s better to see once than to hear many times, in our case read, so let’s get to the heart of the matter, so what types of shrimp are there and what conditions do they require?
Amano
Caridina multidentata, Caridina japonica, Amano Shrimp.
Peace-loving inhabitant of freshwater aquariums. The appearance is quite primitive - translucent coloring of gray-blue shades with randomly located dots (in males) and strokes (in females) on the sides. An excellent cleaner and simply an irreplaceable fighter against thread.
They live in both small and large groups, but because... The Amano shrimp is quite difficult to breed; it is recommended to keep a flock of at least 10 individuals.
- Natural habitat: Korea, Taiwan, Yamato River in Japan.
- The size of the female is 5-6 cm, the male is 3-4 cm.
- Water parameters - temperature 23-27C, pH 7.2 - 7.5, hardness dH 2 - 20°.
Harlequin
Harlequin Shrimp.
This shrimp is truly miniature and partly for this reason it is very shy. Leads a nocturnal and twilight lifestyle. The complexity of the character is more than compensated by its outstanding appearance - the white and red coloration, outlined in black, is reminiscent of the harlequin from DC Comics, which is what the arthropod owes its name to.
- In nature, it lives in Indonesia on the island of Sulawesi.
- Size 0.6 – 1.3 cm.
- Lives in an aquarium from a year to a year and a half.
- Suitable parameters are temperature 26-29°C, acidity pH 7.2-8.4, hardness dH 15-25°.
White Pearl
Snowball, Snowflake, Neocaridina cf. zhangjiajiensis var. White, White Pearl Shrimp, Snowball Shrimp.
This artificially bred beauty is unpretentious in maintenance and is suitable even for beginners. Its quiet and even gentle disposition makes it an excellent pet, provided that there are no predatory, very active or aggressive fish among its neighbors. Any aquarium will be decorated with a greyish-white arthropod, transparent as glass, so much so that distinguishing a female from a male is not at all difficult. In female representatives, the ovaries are visible in the light, and the caviar is completely white, reminiscent of snow, for which the shrimp received the nickname Snowflake.
They feel best in a group of 10 to 20 individuals.
- Not found in nature. Artificially bred by German breeder Ulf Gottschalk.
- Length 2 – 2.5 cm.
- Longevity of life is no more than 2 years.
- Conditions in the aquarium: temperature – 20-28°C, hardness – 6-20°, pH no more than 7.5.
Blue Pearl
Blue neocaridina, Blue shrimp, Blue Pearl Shrimp, Crystal Blue shrimp, Ice Blue, Ice blue, Blue ice.
It was bred by crossing blue neocardina with white individuals.
The color can change depending on the mood and well-being, and the more the color fades, the worse the arthropod feels. It is best to observe a pearl in a flock of 10 or more individuals in a spacious aquarium, at least 60 - 80 liters.
- China is the birthplace and region of selection.
- Standard size 2.5cm.
- 18-29°C, 6.8-7.5 Ph, dGH 2-25.
- Life cycle 2 years.
Atyidae is the common name for aquarium freshwater shrimp.
Blue neocardine
Blue neocardine, blue dream.
Brightly colored peaceful shrimp. There are difficulties regarding the reproduction of this species; the offspring often turn out greenish, gray-brown, or even completely transparent; the “blue” gene must be constantly fixed. Like most Atyidae, they feel best in a group of 10-20 individuals.
- The result of the work of German and Japanese breeders. First introduced to the public in the United States in 2006.
- The size of females is up to 3 cm, males up to 2.
- Lifespan is about 2 years.
- T° 18-28 degrees Celsius, pH 6.5 - 7.5, average hardness 2-25.
Blue brindle
Blue Tiger.
The most striking distinctive feature of these tigers is their orange eyes, which have not been seen in other aquarium arthropods. Despite the exotic appearance and high price, they are not whimsical in maintenance.
They require frequent infusions of fresh “blood” because due to inbreeding during the selection process they are prone to degeneration.
- Not found in nature. Bred from ordinary tiger shrimp.
- They live up to a maximum of 2 years.
- The average size is 2-2.5 cm.
- Acceptable water parameters: temperature from 15 to 30, acidity 6.5 -7.5 (they reproduce better in more acidic water), hardness from 1 to 15.
Blue aura
Aura Blue Dwarf Shrimp.
The Blue Aura shrimp is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful of the genus Atyidae, perhaps even the most beautiful of all blue shrimp and at the same time, as it often happens, quite mysterious. Information about the aura can be found at a minimum, this is due to the fact that it settled in aquariums (especially Russian ones) quite recently, below is the most important information, in our opinion.
They reproduce easily and willingly; an experienced female carries up to 30 larvae under her tail. Despite the rarity, the conditions of detention are very prosaic; for a small flock, a 10-liter aquarium with high-quality water is enough, which will be changed frequently. The aura also has an unusual feature that cannot be ignored! After molting, this aquatic organism becomes almost transparent, but don’t worry, within a week the color will be restored and will delight you again.
- Origin: Thailand.
- Life expectancy is maximum 2 years.
- Size 2-3cm.
- Options aquarium water 23-25°, pH 7-7.5, medium hardness.
Blue-footed bee
Blue Leg shrimp, Blue Poso shrimp, Caridina ensifera Blue, Caridina blue tail, Pavlinka.
The appearance of the blue-legged bee is more than remarkable and is unlikely to leave any aquarist indifferent. The body is gray, there are blue spots on the tail (for which the crustacean was nicknamed Peacock), blue legs and bright red antennae.
Bees have a peaceful disposition and easily get along with both non-aggressive species of arthropods and peace-loving fish.
- Natural habitat: Lake Poso, Indonesia, Sulawesi Islands.
- Maximum size 3cm.
- Life expectancy is two to three years.
- Water parameters - temperature 28-30°C, pH 7.5 - 8.5, hardness dH 7-15°, effective aeration is required.
Yellow shrimp
Lemon, Yellow Pearl, Canary.
The canary's calling card is, of course, its bright yellow color. This is the only representative of aquarium arthropods with this color, however, with age, the pet acquires an orange tint, which does not make it any less cute.
If they are undernourished, they can eat all the vegetation around them.
- Not found in nature.
- The size of the yellow shrimp is 2.5 - 3 cm.
- Maximum age 2, rarely 3 years
- Optimal conditions: water 15 - 28°C, acidity 6.8-8.0 Ph.
Green shrimp
Babaulti, caridina babaulti, Green Midget shrimp.
The bright and active green babaulti shrimp was discovered in India during an expedition and described in 1918. This species has often been subjected to selection; currently 5 color variations are known - blue, white red-nosed, brown, orange. The most common color found in aquariums is green, most of which were brought from India, and only a small part was born in aquariums.
- Homeland India (small rivers and streams)
- Size up to 3.5cm
- Water: Temperature from 20 to 28, hardness – 5-20, acidity – 6.5-8. Aeration and frequent water changes of about 20% of the volume are required.
Cardinal
Cardinal Shrimp and Caridina sp. "Cardinal", Denerli, Caridina dennerli.
Many atyidae have a bizarre, memorable appearance, but even among them, the Cardinal, which recently appeared in aquariums, stands out very clearly. The color varies from red to cherry, and the sides are always trendy white peas. Thin and long legs and a sharp nose only add aristocracy to Cardinal Shrimp. Despite the apparent simplicity, the content of these arthropods has a lot of pitfalls and therefore for beginners this type doesn't fit!
- Natural habitat: Indonesia, rocky areas of Lake Matano on the island of Sulawesi.
- Size 1 – 2cm.
- Water parameters - temperature 26 - 29C, pH 7 - 9, hardness dH 9-15.
Macrobrachnum, Macrobrachium assamense.
The ring-armed shrimp is a relatively large species for an aquarium arthropod. Females reach a size of 5 cm, males are even larger and grow up to 7. The marbled color, like many other species, depends on nutrition and soil. One claw is larger than the other, but this is clearly visible only in large male individuals.
Macrobrahnums are aggressive towards each other and towards other neighbors. Although they lead mainly night look life, are ready to actively hunt down prey at any time. Therefore, forget about the idea of keeping the ringed with other arthropods or small fish. For these tireless hunters good neighbors may become large fish at least 5 cm, living in the middle and upper layers of the home reservoir.
- They live in nature in the Eastern Himalayas, in local mountain lakes and rivers.
- The length reaches 7cm.
- Longevity is 1.5 - 3 years.
- Conditions in the aquarium: temperature – 21-25°C, hardness – 10-20°, pH 7 – 7.5. Enhanced filtration and aeration are required, as well as weekly water changes; if it is cold, this will have a positive effect on life expectancy.
A minimum of 10-15 liters is required per individual. Requires school keeping - 1 male and several females.
Halocaridina rubra.
The owner of a non-trivial appearance is the red Hawaiian shrimp in stressful situation stops being red! The color fades and the animal camouflages itself into its environment. The character is peaceful and accommodating, but the shrimp itself can become the subject of hunting for other inhabitants of the aquarium.
There are companies that sell Hawaiian red shrimp in sealed "ecospheres". The shrimp in them slowly dies before your eyes, and this process can last up to 3 years. All this time, the shrimp feeds only on its shell from molt to molt. Halocaridina rubra is a very tenacious and immensely patient creature.
- In good conditions, the maximum recorded lifespan of this baby is 20 years.
- As the name suggests, it lives in Hawaii.
- The standard size does not exceed 1.2 cm.
- The life cycle is on average 8 - 10 years.
- Surprisingly, both salty and fresh water. With a temperature of 20 - 23 degrees, although it can tolerate a range of 15-30 ° C, pH 8.2 - 8.4.
Red shrimp
Neocardina heteropoda, Cherry, Cherry.
The most popular and widely known species of aquarium arthropod. Bright, unpretentious, readily breeding Cherries have long and happily inhabited the home ponds of aquarists around the world. Read more about Cherry shrimp on our website.
- Neocardina, the species from which cherries were bred, lives in Taiwan.
- Size up to 4 cm.
- Lifespan is about 3 years.
- T° 20 – 29 degrees Celsius, pH 6-8, hardness up to 15°dH. Be sure to have plants and mosses in which the cherries can hide.
The species obtained as a result of selection of the red shrimp is not much different from it, with the exception of a much brighter and more saturated color ranging from red to cherry.
Also bred in Taiwan from the species Neocardina heteropoda and differs from its ancestor in that this shrimp is orange from head to toe. Orange fire fry are born lighter in color for their own protection, but as they live, the color becomes more saturated and bright.
Red crystal
Red Bee, Crystal Red Shrimp, Red Bee.
Aquarium crystals are peaceful and have a very memorable appearance, for which they have gained great popularity all over the world. Within this species, as well as among its predecessor the Bee shrimp, there is a whole hierarchy of colors of its own. Thus, some types of red bees, for example, Snow White, which will be mentioned below, are very expensive, and some have a very affordable price.
- The result of selection work. The first Crystal Red Shrimp was created by Japanese breeder Hisayasu Suzuki in 1993 while breeding classic black-striped bees.
- The size of females is up to 2.5 cm, males up to 2 cm.
- Lifespan is about 2 years.
- T° 20 -27 degrees Celsius, pH 5.5 - 7, average hardness 4-6. They are very sensitive to dirty water - do not forget about filtration and weekly replacement of at least a third of the volume of the aqua.
Caridina cf. cantonensis "Snow White".
Snow White is a Red Crystal species.
Snow white shrimp is one of the types of red bee shrimp. Snow Whites are found in varying degrees of whiteness and, of course, the most valuable are completely white specimens, and the least valuable, in turn, are arthropods with a predominant area of transparent body segments. The conditions for its maintenance are somewhat different from traditional crystals:
- The adult size is up to 3 cm.
- The average life length is 2-4 years.
- Required temperature - 25–30°C, hardness - 1–10, acidity - 6.0–7.5 pH.
Red ruby
Caridina cf. cantonensis "Red Ruby".
Another representative of the crystal genus. In contrast to Snow White, it is absolutely not whimsical, withstands a huge range of acidity and hardness, but in “home” selection, the offspring may not become as bright as its parents, and so on over and over again.
- Size up to 3.5 cm, other parameters do not differ from the ancestor described above - the Red Bee.
As a rule, the higher the class of shrimp, the more difficult it is to care for.
In 2009, the Ruby Red shrimp set a record for high price - it was bought at auction for 4,800 euros.
Caridina cantonensis sp. Red Tiger.
Red tiger shrimp in its natural environment habitat is perfectly camouflaged - the light beige body of the arthropod is surrounded by thin red stripes, and the bottom of its native reservoirs is covered with red stones - there the shrimp is invisible, and in the aquarium it is impossible not to pay attention to it! It goes well with peaceful small fish and contrasts beautifully with plants.
- In nature, it lives in the reservoirs of southern China.
- They live on average up to 2 years.
- The size reaches 3.5 cm.
- Acceptable water parameters: temperature from 25 to 30, acidity 6.5 -7.8, hardness from 1 to 15 dGH.
Red Noice Shrimp, Pinocchio, Rudolph, Rhino, Rhino.
I would compare the red-nosed shrimp to an arrow - thin, sharp, graceful, this ten-legged beauty will not leave you indifferent! The body of the shrimp is almost transparent, but the shade can change depending on the mood of the shrimp. Thus, a milky tint indicates illness in living creatures.
In its natural environment, this shrimp is a vegetarian, so if there is a lack of vegetation in its diet, it will happily consume aquarium plants.
- Homeland India and Southeast Asia. Reservoirs with standing water, or a very weak current.
- Females reach a size of 4 cm, males 2.5.
- Necessary conditions: temperature 20-28°C, acidity pH 6.4-7.5, hardness dH 8-15°, water must be brackish 8-10 grams of table salt per liter of water, do not forget about this when choosing neighbors for the red-nosed beauty and plants for decorating the aquarium.
Macrobrachium sp. "Inle-See."
Inle Lake is located in Myanmar (Southeast Asia), it is a truly large body of water, its size is 22 km by 10 km, and the mysterious Inle Lake shrimp lives here. This arthropod belongs to the Palaemonidae species of shrimp and is a carnivore. The appearance is modest - a transparent body with reddish stripes and strokes of various types.
- In nature they live, as the name suggests, in Inle Lake.
- The length reaches 3cm.
- Conditions in the aquarium: temperature – 25-29°C, hardness – 5-9°, pH 6-7.5.
Mandarin duck
Orange Sunkist Shrimp, Tangerine Shrimp, Caridina sp. Orange Borneo, Caridina thambipillai, Fanta Shrimp, Orange Soda Shrimp.
Peaceful and funny, just like its name, the Mandarin shrimp is a typical representative of the genus Caridina. transparent body orange color, sometimes with reddish dots and streaks on the sides. They can only be kept in a flock, preferably at least 8 individuals.
- They live naturally on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia.
- Life expectancy is no more than 2 years.
- Length. Females reach 3 cm, males do not grow larger than 2.5.
- Conditions in the aquarium: temperature - 20-28 ° C, hardness -6-15 °, pH 6.5-8.
Nigerian shrimp
Nigerian shrimp, Atiya, Cameroon filter feeder.
A more than unusual aquarium shrimp Atiya. It is very large for an aquarium, its color is more than modest from grayish blue to bleached blue, but what The most interesting thing is that she has no claws! The thing is that the Nigerian shrimp lives in reservoirs with strong currents and obtains its food by filtration. A peaceful and interesting arthropod, it will never offend your fish.
- Live in western Africa
- The size of an adult female reaches 18 cm, males are smaller - a maximum of 14.
- Water parameters: T 23-28°C, pH 6.5 - 7.5.
Desmocaris trispinosa.
You can confuse the Nigerian swimming shrimp and Atia (which was mentioned above) only by name, because outwardly these arthropods are complete antipodes of each other. The NPK is small and transparent in appearance, generally inconspicuous and interesting mainly for its unusual method of movement for shrimps; it seems to hover and float above the surface.
- Homeland - Africa.
- Temperature - 25–29°C, pH - 6.0–7.5, hardness - 6–9 dGH.
Another serious difference between the NPK and the Nigerian shrimp is that the latter requires a strong current, while the former prefers completely stagnant water.
Ninja
Caridina – serratirostris, Ninja Shrimp, honey or Christmas shrimp.
Ninja shrimp have their mysterious name for a reason, and among their many nicknames, “chameleon” is missing. We have already written that some shrimp are capable of changing color during stress, fright, or, conversely, courting a female; a ninja is a completely different matter; it is an unrivaled master of camouflage. Watching a shrimp change color depending on what pebble it sits on is a real pleasure! In addition, there are no difficulties in keeping this arthropod, but the excellent resume of caridina – serratirostris is overshadowed, only by the fact that reproduction in an aquarium requires titanic efforts and, as a result, is almost impossible.
- Region of origin – Asia, more precisely Japan, Philippine, Polynesian islands, Fiji island, Madagascar island.
- Life expectancy is on average 2-3 years.
- The size of the male is up to 2.5 cm, females are 1 cm larger.
- Water parameters: temperature 22-27°C, acidity 6.4-7.3, hardness dH 6-20°.
Macrobrachium carcinus.
This article has already written about shrimp of the genus Macrobrachium, and the main thing you should remember about them is that almost all representatives of this species are predators, so you should choose their neighbors very carefully, and the long-clawed shrimp is no exception.
Males perform a very entertaining mating dance for females, but due to natural shyness, the arthropod dances only in the dark.
At home in the countries of Central and South America, Macrobrachium carcinus itself is hunted, local residents eat them.
- Natural habitat is fast large streams of Central and South America.
- Average size 30 -35cm.
- Content requirements are as simple as possible - warm, clean water from 22 to 27°C, and a strong current.
Bee
Caridina cantonensis sp. “Bee” – Black Bee Shrimp.
Bees include many other shrimp with different names, but the history of appearance and living conditions of these arthropod relatives are the same. Therefore, when reading about the bee shrimp, keep in mind that it talks about: striped bee, black bee, princess bee, King Kong shrimp, Panda shrimp, Bumblebee shrimp, Black Diamond (aka black tiger) and some others.
The bee has almost equal proportions of black and white, the shrimp Black Diamond, King Kong are almost black, the Panda has white areas at the junction of the cephalothorax and rostrum, as well as stripes on the abdomen.
The higher the class of black diamonds (as well as the red ones, which we have already discussed), the more complex their content, and King Kongs, for example, almost never breed in amateur aquariums.
- Country of origin: Taiwan (man-bred).
- Average life expectancy is 1.5 years.
- Size – up to 3.5 cm.
- Necessary conditions: temperature 20-26°C, acidity pH 6.0-6.8, hardness Gh 2-5 °dH.
Riley
Riley Shrimp.
The light and weightless Riley shrimp was bred from the genus Neocaridina heteropoda by the famous breeder Suzuki Hisuasu among aquarists. The red rili were the first to appear and they were so loved by the aquarium community that soon orange, blue, yellow ones appeared... The value of the Rili Shrimp depends on how much of the shrimp's body is transparent. This active little one searches for food all day, swimming around the aquarium.
- Launched in Taiwan in 1996.
- Length on average 2 cm.
- Water: temperature 18-28°C, acidity pH 6.4 - 7.6, hardness dH 4-14°.
Indian, Asian, Thai, Herb shrimp. Ghost, GLASS SHRIMP, Palaemonetes paludosus.
There are 2 types of relatively large glass shrimp, extremely similar in appearance, so we will divide them according to their habitat into Asian and North American. Both are transparent, for which they were nicknamed “glass”; the Asian one has the nickname Grass Shrimp, and the American one is often called the Ghost.
Both of them can build their own shelters if sand or very fine gravel is used as soil. Large individuals During the breeding season they can show aggression towards small brothers, to avoid this, stick to the proportion of 1 shrimp: 4 liters of water or more.
- The average lifespan is 1-2 years, rarely longer.
- Size up to 5 cm females, males maximum 4 cm, both in good conditions.
- But the view on good living conditions for these shrimp is different:
- Asians. Water temperature 20-28 degrees, acidity pH 6.5-7.5, hardness does not matter.
- Americans. Temperature 18-29 degrees, acidity pH – 6.5-7.5, hardness GH – 5-8.
- For both, it is necessary to have high-quality filtration and aeration, as well as weekly water changes of up to 20% of the aquarium volume.
Filter Anopsis
Atyopsis moluccensis, banana, bamboo, forest shrimp.
The appearance of Anopsis is unlikely to make you fall in love with it. Brown stripes on a yellowish body make it invisible in nature, but this crustacean does not intend to hide in an aquarium. He will definitely occupy some peak and begin to catch food with his paws - fans (which replaced claws). This is a very interesting and even bewitching sight. If the filter feeder begins to spend more time at the bottom in search of food, it means that it is malnourished, because its feeding method is not entirely normal and it is more difficult for it to get enough than others.
- Homeland - Southeast Asia.
- Maximum age 2 years.
- Length 6-10cm.
- Comfortable parameters: temperature 23-29C, acidity pH: 6.5-7.5, hardness dH: 6-15.
Leander modestus.
This is perhaps the only aquarium shrimp whose native reservoirs are located, including on the territory of the Russian Federation.
The Leander's appearance is not very expressive - an almost transparent body and very long antennae, sometimes longer than its owner. But you can watch this shrimp around the clock, because, unlike many of their counterparts, they are active even during the day. They live in peace and harmony with the fish, they play the role of a cleaner perfectly, picking at the ground with small claws. Conflicts within the group are possible if there is not enough space in the aquarium. One Khankai shrimp should contain at least 7-10 liters.
- Region of natural residence – Far East, Lake Khanka, etc.
- The body size of females is 3-4 cm, males, as is most often the case with arthropods, are smaller; their length varies from 2 to 2.5 cm.
- Hankaika requires very clean water, so you can’t skimp on a filter. 24-hour aeration is required. The temperature is tolerated at 15-30 °C, although it is better, of course, not to take it to extremes and stay in the range of 20 -24 °C. Ideal option will happen if in winter the water temperature in the aquarium drops and in the spring, closer to summer, rises in order to get closer to the natural annual cycle. Hardness no less than 10. No special requirements for acidity.
Caridina Simoni Simoni.
The small, transparent Ceylon shrimp is interesting, first of all, for its active behavior - it actively scurries around the aquarium all day in search of food and does not at all try to hide anywhere. Color varies from brownish and greenish to blue.
- Homeland Malaysia, Philippine Islands, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Java.
- Length 1.8-2.5 cm.
- Maintenance requirements: strong aeration and filtration, weekly water changes of at least 1/3. water temperature 20-30°C, acidity pH 5.5-8, hardness dH 3-15°.
Macrobrachium nipponense.
A very elegant Japanese shrimp resembles a glass figurine - a transparent, slightly brownish body with a contrasting black stripe a third of the length, brick-red claws for males and orange for females, and beady eyes complete the picture.
The character is nasty and even aggressive, so the only neighbors of this species can be arthropods of similar size and fish that will not give themselves any offense.
In the group, maintain a balance of 1 male -2.3 females.
- They live naturally in Japan, which becomes obvious from the name.
- Size 6-8cm.
- Water temperature 26-30, acidity pH 6.4-6.8, hardness does not matter.
Bottom line
Whatever type of shrimp you choose for yourself, remember a few simple rules that will help you and make life easier for your pets:
- Copper is contraindicated for any type of shrimp. Be careful, because it is contained in many medicines for fish.
- Any arthropod (and fish will be grateful) must live in a clean environment, so think about the issue of filtration and water changes in advance.
- The presence of plants in the aquarium is mandatory. It is better if these are mosses and small-leaved ones for small species and larger ones for large-sized arthropods.
- If you are planning to do breeding, theoretically the crossing is possible as follows: Caridina + Caridina, Macrobrachium + Macrobrachium, Neocaridina + Neocaridina, etc. Shrimp belonging to different families not only do not interbreed, but can also conflict when kept together. However, one should not conclude that any species can be crossed within one family. The issue of shrimp reproduction is delicate and individual, but if you decide to start breeding these animals, you will not regret it.
The world of aquarium shrimp is more than diverse and everyone can find a shrimp to suit their taste.
Exotic appearance, bright colors and interesting behavior are increasingly making freshwater shrimp residents of aquariums. The most popular among owners of artificial home ponds are small specimens, ranging in size from 2 to 5 cm.
Even a novice aquarist can keep them. Such shrimps, unlike their larger relatives, do not consider themselves predators, and therefore are not at all aggressive and are quite content with food that falls to the bottom.
There are quite a few species of freshwater shrimp, but only a few can be considered suitable for indoor aquariums. For the first acquaintance, small shrimp of the Caridina genera (lat. Caridina) and Neocaridina (lat. Neocaridina). They will not only provide company to peaceful fish, but will also clean their habitat from the remains of dry or live food and excess algae.
By the way, contrary to popular belief, shrimp do not eat algae at all. Such known species small crustaceans, such as Amano (lat. Caridina japonica), which are most often used to clean an aquarium, simply trample the plants with their numerous legs, removing from them the bacterial plaque necessary for their development. Algae cannot tolerate such blasphemous attitude towards themselves, and defiantly stop growing.
Except practical benefit, shrimp have one more advantage - some of them attract with their unusual colors. At the bottom of the aquarium you can find red, blue, yellow, black and even striped crustaceans. These are the so-called cherry shrimp, bumblebee shrimp, tiger shrimp, crystal shrimp, etc.
Truly, they are ideal for small ponds, as they are unpretentious and easily reproduce in captivity. True, they have one drawback - passive behavior when molting. Instead of hiding, the soft shrimp lies flat for several hours, becoming easy prey for curious local residents.
All aquarium species freshwater shrimp appearance They resemble crayfish, but are more mobile and peaceful. They may also have a transparent shell, which emphasizes their fragility and decorativeness. In addition, it should be noted that many shrimp change color in an attempt to adapt to their environment, under stress, or when there is a sudden change in temperature.
In a home aquarium, a special pump will create a current, a filter will purify the water, and an aerator will saturate it with oxygen. It is better to put soaked branches and stones at the bottom, and organic matter processed by bacteria will be a suitable soil. Mosses and cover plants are also good neighbors for shrimp.
Small crustaceans feed on live, frozen, vegetable and dry food of any size. It's funny to watch a shrimp trying to eat a bloodworm larger than itself. They get food from all nooks and crannies, preventing it from rotting and spoiling the water, which, combined with their ability to fight algae, makes them wonderful aquarium orderlies.
Freshwater invertebrates, of course, are inferior to sea invertebrates in the variety of shapes and colors and have always played only secondary roles in domestic reservoirs. And if reef aquarium keeping has become popular and rapidly developing direction, then the freshwater aquarium for invertebrates, until recently, was only the lot of extravagant loners. But everything changed with the appearance of multi-colored dwarf shrimp in the attention of aquarists. It turned out that these creatures are so decorative, interesting to observe, easy to keep and represent such a vast field for breeding work that a wave of fascination with them literally swept the whole world. It became clear that they could deservedly be the main characters of the aquarium, and their small size came in very handy, given modern fashion to create miniature live compositions. No other group of ornamental animals has won so many ardent fans in such a short time - this hobby is at most ten years old. The most intriguing thing is that we are only lifting the edge of the veil that hides the world of freshwater shrimp. Their diversity is hardly visible. Obviously, the several hundred species and forms known to date are only a tiny part of what remains to be discovered. Focused studies in the tropics have shown that even small bodies of water are characterized by their unique and diverse fauna of these crustaceans. And how many such shrimp “Malawi” there are, one can only guess.
It's time to introduce our heroes, well... at least, some of them. It must be said that the taxonomy of freshwater shrimp is only taking its first steps, so for many species there are no established scientific names yet, and in most cases experts cannot say whether they are species or color forms. So in many situations you still have to use commercial labels. The bulk of decorative dwarf shrimps belong to two genera Caridina And Neocaridina. The range of the first kind covers almost all tropical and subtropical regions of the Eastern Hemisphere: Africa, Hindustan, China, Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia. The second is common in China, Japan and Korea. The differences between them come down to the details of the structure of the swimming legs on the abdomen, which can only be observed under high magnification. However, I repeat, this classification is very preliminary; most likely, the number and composition of genera and, accordingly, their morphological characteristics will be revised in the future.
One of the first species of dwarf shrimp to be kept in aquariums. Comes from central and southern regions China and is more likely to be subtropical, i.e. more cold-loving species. Inhabits small lakes and small rivers and streams on the plain and in the mountains. This shrimp needs cool, oxygen-rich and soft water, between 18° and 24° C. It reproduces easily in captivity, although this species is still bred in limited quantities, and most of the individuals that go on sale are caught in the wild. The coloration is very attractive, especially on the young with their distinct pattern of alternating broad black and white or yellow stripes. With age, their boundaries blur, and the shrimp become more monochromatic and darkly colored. Females up to 30 mm long, males up to 20 mm. It can be crossed with Crystal Red, Tiger and others, which is intensively used by breeders to develop new color variations, so that it is no longer clear which forms are natural and which are obtained artificially. Sometimes within this group, bee shrimp are distinguished, distinguished by narrower white stripes on dark background, however, the taxonomic status of these different types coloration is not yet clear. |
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This type is considered the easiest to maintain and can be confidently recommended for beginners. Cherry shrimp easily adapt to new conditions and reproduce at an incredible rate, earning them the nickname “invader shrimp.” Being introduced into habitats that are unusual for them, they are extremely effective in colonizing living space, and in aquariums they can eventually crowd out other types of shrimp. The original range of the species covers southern China and Taiwan. High plasticity allows these shrimp to populate a wide variety of biotopes, from fast-flowing mountain rivers from rocky soil to overgrown peat lakes. The range of temperature stability is also very wide, from 5 to more than 30 degrees. The optimum is 26°C. This species has gained popularity due to its bright red color, which is more saturated in females, although other color variations are also found. Large females can reach 40 mm, males - no more than 20 mm. |
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These brightly colored shrimp appeared on the European market just a few years ago. They come from stagnant or slow-flowing reservoirs of India, abundantly overgrown with algae. Their greenish color allows them to camouflage perfectly among aquatic vegetation. This species is undemanding to water quality; the main condition for successful maintenance is large number plants in the aquarium. Shrimp especially prefer thickets of Riccia. Green shrimp usually stay in the upper or middle layers of water, optimal temperature content - 24 - 30°C. The main color tone is usually from light green to bright green, sometimes bluish or brown. Many individuals change color depending on their condition. Most individuals are characterized by a wide white stripe on the back. Length 30 - 40 mm, females are slightly larger than males. |
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Slender, long-nosed, elegantly colored shrimps native to the rivers of lowland India. They stay in calm areas without strong currents. Indian rednose shrimp have a characteristic marine larval stage, so they do not bear offspring in captivity. They stay near the bottom, rarely swim, but constantly move along the ground, digging it up in search of food. Temperature 26 - 30°C. At lower temperatures they feel uncomfortable and stop eating. A characteristic feature is the red, highly elongated rostrum. The body of the shrimp is transparent, with thin reddish and golden stripes. Females up to 50 mm, males up to 40. |
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Tiger prawns come from South China. In their homeland, they live in streams and small rivers with rocky sediments and piles of branches. Such reservoirs are most often devoid of any higher vegetation, but filamentous algae grow abundantly in them. This species is very demanding on the oxygen content in water, but is more resistant to changes in chemical parameters. The characteristic pattern of inclined dark stripes on a yellowish or light brown background on the abdomen and back of the cephalothorax fully justifies the name. Under the name “tiger”, many color variations and shapes of shrimp are sold, some of which clearly belong to other species. Sizes from 20 mm in males to 40 mm in females. |
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Perhaps the most impressively colored aquarium shrimp, bearing alternating transverse scarlet and bright white stripes. This color variation was developed as a result of the hard work of Japanese breeders. Among the original forms were bee shrimp and, most likely, more than one species, but it is almost impossible to say for sure. These shrimp are quite poorly adaptable and very sensitive to changes in water parameters, cannot tolerate disturbance, due to which they become stressed and become easy victims of pathogens. However, all the difficulties of keeping them are more than offset by the splendor of the spectacle that these “jewels” create in the aquarium. |
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These shrimp became popular thanks to Takashi Amano, who uses them in his planted aquariums to combat algae growth, but their reputation as an algae killer has been greatly exaggerated. This is a fairly large species (females reach 70 mm) and requires a large variety of foods to reach normal size. Initially, their distribution was limited to Japan and Taiwan, but over time the species spread widely throughout the world. In their homeland, Amano shrimp inhabit mainly cool mountain streams with strong currents and free of aquatic vegetation. These shrimps cannot boast of striking colors, but they are constantly on the move and are clearly visible in the aquarium. Unfortunately, due to the inherent mode of development of this species (the larval stage occurs only in sea water), reproduction in captivity is difficult, and only wild specimens caught in nature are sold. |
Aquarium
The biggest mistake that beginner shrimp lovers make is the desire to place newly acquired pets in their common aquarium with fish. In the presence of larger and more active animals, shrimp will experience constant stress, hide and, even if they take root, will not feel comfortable and reproduce. Shrimp are so exciting to keep that they deserve their own aquarium. Only in a separate container with optimal conditions environments left to themselves, they are able to demonstrate all their wonderful qualities. The minimum recommended volume of such a shrimp aquarium is 40-50 liters; in a smaller container it is much more difficult to create stable environmental conditions. In such an aquarium you can place a group of several dozen individuals of the same or different species. Only if the stocking density is high enough will there be something constantly happening in your shrimp tank, and you can count on the opportunity to observe interesting behavior of its inhabitants. Compared to fish, crustaceans are much more sensitive to the quality of their environment and react more painfully to sudden changes in conditions. Special attention attention should be paid to the parameters of the water, it should be soft, neutral or slightly acidic and, if possible, as chemically pure as possible. Excessive concentrations of organic matter and toxic substances have a very negative effect on the health of shrimp and their fertility. Up to 40% of the water in the aquarium needs to be changed weekly. Better to use internal filter with a sponge, reducing the pump power to a minimum and directing the ejected stream of water into the wall of the aquarium to reduce the intensity of the flow. For tropical species the optimal temperature will be 25-27°C, for many subtropical 24°C is the upper limit, so additional heating is not required. Some species, such as Amano shrimp, are planted in planted aquariums to combat algae, but as we will see later, such conditions are far from optimal for them.
Fish
Fish are not the most pleasant neighbors for shrimp. Most of them view small crustaceans as potential food and will serve as a constant source of disturbance. Adult shrimp can easily get along with peaceful, non-aggressive fish, but you should not count on reproduction in such conditions: young and freshly molted individuals risk becoming easy prey. The only fish, which can be safely kept with shrimp, are herbivorous chain catfish with specialized scraping mouthparts such as otocinclus or ancistrus.
Plants
In fact, shrimp do not need plants; in the natural reservoirs where they live, there is often no aquatic vegetation at all. In densely planted aquariums, higher plants leave virtually no resources for the development of algae and bacterial flora, which make up the bulk of the shrimp’s diet. In such conditions, even with abundant additional feeding, a deficiency of certain nutrients occurs, and the shrimp quickly die. A container without plants with a layer of leaf litter at the bottom, which serves as a substrate for the development of single-celled organisms, is optimal for keeping a shrimp culture. This, of course, does not look very aesthetically pleasing. Plants in a shrimp aquarium play a supporting role, primarily to create ambiance. In this case, preference should be given to undemanding, slow-growing species. The most suitable are aquatic ferns, mosses, and cladophora balls, in which young shrimp find refuge. It is absolutely unacceptable to use any fertilizers for plants, since shrimp react very painfully to organic water pollution.
Feeding
In nature, shrimp feed on detritus - decaying organic matter that accumulates at the bottom. These are fallen leaves, rotting wood, dead plant fragments. Home nutritional value detritus, of course, is not cellulose, but various microorganisms developing on this substrate: bacteria, fungi, unicellular algae. So you shouldn’t be too pedantic about the cleanliness of the bottom in a shrimp aquarium; by removing what you consider garbage, you are depriving your pets of food. It is even worth putting dried leaves of oak, beech, hazel or other broad-leaved species on the bottom as a plantation of food resources. Shrimp will happily eat any flake or granular dry aquarium food; you just need to keep in mind that fish food is too rich in proteins, and their regular use can lead to molting problems. IN lately Special dry food for crustaceans has appeared; they are more balanced in nutrients. Food should be given in small portions every 1-2 days, so that it is eaten within half an hour. Overfeeding and accumulation of food debris in the aquarium can lead to changes in water parameters and, as a result, to the death of shrimp.
Reproduction
Dwarf shrimp reproduce well in captivity. The beauty is that development in most species is direct, i.e. occurs without a larval stage - a miniature copy of an adult immediately hatches from the egg. This means that there is no need to create specific conditions, and reproduction can occur in a general aquarium. There are, however, exceptions to this rule. For example, the Amano shrimp and rednose shrimp have a free-swimming larva typical of crustaceans, which requires brackish water for normal development. It is clear that breeding such species at home is associated with a number of serious problems. Females differ from males, as a rule, in their larger size, massive build and enlarged lateral lobes of the abdominal segments, covering the swimming limbs. The mating period is confined to a short time after the female moults; by this time, eggs mature in her ovaries, located in the front part of the cephalothorax. In species with less intense coloration, it is visible as a lighter or, conversely, darker area immediately behind the eyes. Mating is preceded by a courtship ritual, during which the male rides the female. Copulation occurs in a position where the partners are turned to each other with their ventral sides; during the process, the spermatophore attaches near the female’s genital opening. The emerging eggs are fertilized by passing next to the spermatophore, and are then attached by the female to the swimming limbs on the abdomen, where incubation occurs. Development lasts 3-4 weeks, and all this time the female carries eggs, constantly shaking them, aerating them and removing dead ones. The hatching young are completely independent and do not require any additional care from their parents. At first, they often shed and need permanent shelters, which can be clumps of greenery or fine-mesh ceramics. Adult shrimp do not pose any danger to young shrimp. The lifespan of most species does not exceed 1-2 years and, given the ease of breeding, it is quite possible to maintain self-renewing populations under artificial conditions. You just need to avoid uncontrolled hybridization, which can occur when closely related species are placed in the same aquarium.
Many people keep fish in their aquariums, others make real herbals, and some use exotic corals. And only a few know that you can also add shrimp. These are small creatures (or rather large ones, depending on the species) that most of They spend their time sorting through pebbles, plant leaves and soil in search of food. And with their habits they often receive no less attention than the most active fish.
Why are shrimp needed in an aquarium?
- Aesthetics. There are many types of shrimp, and each of them has its own beauty. Experienced aquarists know that these creatures can be no less beautiful than the most exquisite tropical fish. Just look at the Crystal shrimp, which have a very bright and noticeable color;
- Diversity. The more experienced an aquarist, the more requests he has. Common types Pisces do not satisfy his curiosity and desire for beauty. And in this case, the shrimp will become an excellent remedy to achieve these lofty goals. They are easy to care for and get along well with other inhabitants. Of course, for maximum results you will need a large one, which can be found at a competitive price in the WuShop online store;
- Water purification. If you purchased a powerful filter for your aquarium, that's good. But additional water purification never hurts. Shrimp do an excellent job of this task by eating algae (preventing the water from blooming), as well as other organic particles. Yes, filtration and water changes are still needed, but it is these tiny creatures that make their feasible contribution to the common cause;
- Maintaining biobalance. Shrimp eat not only algae (which can cause a lot of trouble even for experienced aquarists), but also particles of fish food. And if these organic matter will remain in the water for a long time - over time, bacteria will begin to develop in them, causing diseases in the inhabitants of the aquarium. Shrimp, carefully sorting through plant leaves, pebbles and soil with their paws, find and eat all the particles of food that the fish did not finish, thereby protecting your “wards” from many problems.
What do you need for shrimp?
- Food. Most shrimp can survive on algae, which is present in any aquarium. But it is advisable to periodically (but not constantly) feed them with special food. Or make sure that after eating, your fish leave “leftovers” that fall to the bottom and are then absorbed by the shrimp;
- Space. For normal life One shrimp is enough for 5 liters of water. But if there are 20, 30 or 100 of them, you will have to act. First of all, you need to buy a cabinet for an aquarium that will withstand a large load of water and will also serve as an element of the interior. And it is advisable to choose a larger aquarium itself, since shrimp can actively reproduce, and from 5-10 “settlers” in a few months a large group of several dozen individuals will grow;
- Safety. Predatory fish and shrimp in one aquarium - not the most best idea. Even angelfish can eat them, preventing them from developing and purifying the water of algae and other contaminants. Therefore, either make sure that your shrimp have plenty of hiding places, or purchase a separate aquarium;
- Care. Yes, these creatures are unpretentious and can exist on their own, but they need some care. First of all, periodically feed them with special food, and during the molting period, choose food with a high cellulose content. This is necessary for the speedy restoration of their shell. And don’t forget that shrimp can also get sick, and at the first symptoms of a problem, you need to take immediate action.
Is the game worth the candle?
Shrimp cannot be kept in every aquarium. But if there is a lot of free “space”, and other inhabitants do not pose a threat to them, why not. Just keep in mind that some shrimp reproduce quickly in captivity (for example, Crystals), while others, such as Amano, are very problematic to breed.
If you have just started your journey in aquarium keeping, do not rush to buy shrimp and “add” them to your aquarium. Too much stress (change in environmental conditions) can lead to their death. Therefore, before this, it is advisable to prepare the “ground”, and even better, consult with more experienced comrades. And if you do everything right, your friends and family will be delighted with these small and extremely beautiful creatures.