Is it difficult to raise ornamental shrimp such as Neocaridinar and Caridinar shrimps? That's also the question many people ask when starting to get into the hobby, so in this article I would like to share about how to raise ornamental freshwater shrimp as optimally as possible, including saving costs, caring time...
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Choose a type of shrimps: There are 2 popular types of ornamental shrimp, neocaridina (well-known cherry shrimps) and caridina which is a bit more difficult. So, neocaridina is a good idea for those who are new in the shrimp hobby and want to get into it easily. Tank set up and diferent water parameters between two spiecies requiering the shrimp keeper to choose the type of shrimps before starting to set up a new tank for keeping them. We will discuss further in another article to figure out the different parameters and chracteristics between Neocaridina and Caridinar shrimp.
- Size of the tank: Shrimps do not require a specific tank, they can live well in a nano tank just around 10-20 liter but it would be ideal for keeping them in a 50-liter tank or above. A big tank with a large amount of water can provide them a stable environment, and avoid the fluctuation of temperature, GH, KH, and Ammonia.
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Substrate: This is one of the most important things to consider when keeping shrimps because substrate will control the water parameters and depend on the type of shrimps, we need to use a suitable substrate. Caridinar such as crystal and Taiwan Bee need an active substrate which can keep the pH of the tank around 6.5 and KH around 0-1 while Neocaridina tends to like higher Ph and KH, so they will live and breed well in the tank having inert substrate such as sand, chip rocks,...In my opinion, ADA is the best active substrate on the market that we can use for our aquarium and shrimp tanks.
- Light: we can use any lamps for shrimp tanks. They do not require an expensive or specific lamp. So, we just need a lamp for watching them well. However, if you are going to keep both shrimp and aquarium plants, you may need a lamp that can provide enough light for moss and plants in the tank. LED light is the best option because of its cheap price and effectiveness.
- Filter: Sponge filter is a popular filter for shrimp tanks because of cheap. tidy, easy to use, and effective. For example, Quanvee Sponge filters are combined with the use of matrix media put inside the filter chamber to help maintain and nourish the number of microorganisms that handle leftovers and feces caused by shrimps. In addition, you can also use other types of filters such as hang filters, external filters. More filters would bring the best environment for them
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Food choice: Shrimps are omnivores, so you can choose vegetables and fruits that are boiled to cool and feed them (mulberry leaves, soybean husks, carrots, pumpkin, spinach, spirulina...) or you can buy special food for shrimps from popular brands to ensure provide enough protein and nutrients for them to grow. Do not strickly about choosing food for them just feed them various food sources which u have.
Conclusion, for keeping shrimp, we need to get a right start by researching reference information about choosing type of shrimp, tank size, substrate, filter, light and diet. Then, we can know what's necessary for keeping shrimp and definitely can keep them easily. It is not hard like someone tells, just need a right set up and some basic knowledge. Wish everyone will get success in keeping shrimp!