Trying to find a good pet for my son for a 20-gallon aquarium I had seen, I looked into freshwater shrimp and wondered if they would make good pets. Here is what I found out.
Shrimp make excellent pets; they are fascinating, easy to keep, and a lively addition to almost every aquarium. Kids and adults can learn a lot by caring for them, and they don’t have to cost much.
Below are some essential basics and why I came to these conclusions.
- Why would you want shrimp as pets?
- Why They Make Such Great Pets
- Breeding Shrimp
- My Aquarium Cleaning Crew
- What Do You Need For a Shrimp Tank? The Basics
- What Did My Son and I Choose For His Tank?
- Related Questions
- Q: Do shrimp make good pets?
- Q: What are some types of shrimp that make great pets?
- Q: Are shrimp easier to care for than other aquatic pets?
- Q: How do I ensure the water quality is suitable for freshwater shrimp keeping?
- Q: Can shrimp be kept in a planted aquarium?
- Q: How do I prevent shrimp from escaping the tank?
- Q: How often do shrimp reproduce?
- Q: What do shrimp eat?
- Q: Can shrimp be kept with other fish or tankmates?
- Q: What are some common issues to watch out for when keeping shrimp?
Why would you want shrimp as pets?
Shrimp as pets are becoming increasingly popular among aquarium enthusiasts. Shrimp are known for their vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and unique behaviors, which captivate owners and observers alike.
Many species of shrimp, such as the popular Red Cherry Shrimp and Amano Shrimp, are commonly kept as pets due to their ease of care and ability to thrive in various water conditions.
Shrimps as pets exhibit interesting behaviors like scavenging for food, molting, and engaging in intricate mating rituals.
Overall, keeping shrimp as pets offers a unique experience for aquarium enthusiasts, allowing them to appreciate the beauty and intricacies of these captivating creatures in the comfort of their homes.
Why They Make Such Great Pets
They are Fun to Watch
A lovely shrimp tank is a beautiful addition to any room in your house. Shrimp are very active and very fun to watch. They have a calming, mesmerizing effect when you watch them go about their business, looking for food and interacting with each other. Watching them clean themselves with their many little legs is also fun. Always busy looking for food.
Easy to Keep
If you look at most pets, they will need a lot of attention. Most shrimp will eat almost anything. They will find food all over the aquarium. They like some forms of algae, dead plant matter, small bits of fish flakes, or special shrimp food you can get in pet stores.
Some even eat little bits of vegetables, they can have a lot of fun with a green pea. Shrimp are also known to be very peaceful and live in harmony with many other peaceful shrimp and fish, though bear in mind the number of different species, and you don’t overcrowd your tank.
Breeding Shrimp
If your Shrimp are happy and thriving, they often will breed. It is very interesting to see them keep their egg with them and care for them until they hatch. If you like to find out how to set up a shrimp aquarium for breeding cherry shrimp, you will find this article interesting.
My Aquarium Cleaning Crew
I like to call them my cleaning crew, they are like little minions tirelessly cleaning everything they can get their little grabby paws on.
Best Aquarium Cleaners
Cherry shrimp (Neocaridina davidi) spend their entire day foraging for food, eating algae and biofilm wherever possible.
I like these guys the best because of many factors:
- They are one of the easiest to take care of.
- They can adapt to a wide range of water and temperature conditions (be careful; this does not mean continually fluctuating water conditions).
- They come in various colors, natural green-brown, through breading ranging from red to orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, black, and everything in between.
Most Shrimp are naturally omnivores that will eat anything they can find, but these are, for me, the best, IMHO.
I like them the best as a beginner Species for the same reasons.
Best Algae Eaters
As stated, aquarium shrimp eat almost all unwanted stuff in your tank, including some form of algae. The Amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata) is very popular and one of the most active best algae-eating shrimp.
They are also known as the “algae-eating shrimp,” they consume most types of algae and, like the other varieties, eat dead plant castoff material (detritus) and clean the tank of leftover food. They are real little algae-eating machines.
Here is an interesting article about the best algae eating Shrimp
Tip: If you want to start breeding Shrimp, don’t choose Amano shrimp. They are extremely hard to breed as the larvae need salt/brackish water in which the adults can’t survive.
Shrimp are often considered good pets due to their low maintenance requirements and peaceful nature.
What Do You Need For a Shrimp Tank? The Basics
You can have shrimp as a pet! Of course, like any hobby, you can take this as far as you like, but the minimum requirements that you need to have for a nice shrimp tank with a good ecosystem aren’t that many. The basics essentials are:
You Need a Tank or Aquarium
You can go as small as a three or 5-gallon nano tank, but generally, the bigger the tank, the easier it is to maintain a stable environment for your shrimp. Although a big aquarium can look beautiful, you don’t need a big fish tank to have a good shrimp dwelling. I would advise getting at least a 10-gallon tank. This is about 20 inches wide if you are starting small. In this case, bigger is better.
Tip: If you get a second-hand tank, ensure the previous tenants have not been treated with copper-based medication. Copper is toxic to all Dwarf Shrimp, and traces of it can still be present in the aquarium, even after the tank is rinsed thoroughly.
Choose The Right Substrate
Choosing the right substrate for the specific shrimp species you want to keep would be best. This first step in your aquarium setup will determine what kind of shrimp you can keep and breed. The two main substrate options are divided into active and inert substrates.
For example, active substrates, like fluval stratum or Dennerle Shrimp King Active Soil, will influence the water parameters and are usually chosen to buffer or lower the PH. This is especially important if you want to keep Caridina shrimp, like Cristal Red Shrimp (CRS). Inert substrates like gravel or sand will not impact the water parameters and are better suited to keep Neo caridina, Cherry shrimp, for example.
Add live Plants and Rocks and/or Wood for Decoration
Stones and wood are beautiful decorations in the tank and provide a large surface where microorganisms and algae can live and where the shrimp can feed. The more densely planted, the better.
You Will Need Something to Filter the Water
A sponge filter will be the best choice here. The sponge will hold all kinds of bits and pieces the shrimp will feed, and the sponge will also prevent the little shrimp from being sucked into the filter. A bonus is, the sponge filters are usually cheaper than the external filters. You can use an external filter. They can be very good at cleaning the water. If you choose a hang-on-the-back or canister filter, put a piece of sponge on the intake.
Think About Adding An Aquarium Heater
Different types of dwarf freshwater shrimp prefer different temperatures. Make sure you know the right temperature for the species you chose. Shrimp can live in a range of temperatures, but mostly, they like it to remain constant. What you need to know about shrimp and temperatures is that if the temperature is higher, they will grow and breed faster, but it will shorten their lifecycle.
Choose The Righ Food for Your Shrimp
There are a lot of different specialty foods like pellets, flakes, and wafers created only for your little Crustacean
. They are almost all good, but most aren’t picky with their diet. They will eat almost everything they can find: fish flakes you feed your fish that fall to the bottom, pellets, and algae wafers. They also eat matter shed from your aquarium plants. They will find food everywhere and tirelessly search your aquarium and clean everything. Very fun to watch them go.
What Did My Son and I Choose For His Tank?
For my son, we chose a mixed aquarium with red Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi), some Cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi), and some guppies (Poecilia reticulata). We had lots of fun setting it up and enjoy looking at them whenever we got to his room. What we did and how we set it up is a story for another blog post.
Related Questions
How long do shrimps live in a fish tank? Most pet shrimp live between one and three years. Temperature is a big influence here. A higher temperature shortens their lives.
Does ghost shrimp clean tanks? Ghost shrimp will clean up any uneaten fish food as well as keep algae levels down
Q: Do shrimp make good pets?
A: Shrimp can make great pets for aquarists of all experience levels. They are fascinating creatures to watch and can be a colorful and lively addition to any aquatic setup.
Q: What are some types of shrimp that make great pets?
A: Several types of shrimp are popular as pets, including cherry shrimp (also known as red cherry shrimp or red cherry), ghost shrimp, amano shrimp, and neocaridina. Each type has its unique characteristics and colors.
Q: Are shrimp easier to care for than other aquatic pets?
A: Shrimp care is generally considered easier than aquatic pets like fish. They have lower food requirements, produce less waste, and are less disease-prone. However, they do require specific water conditions and proper care to thrive.
Q: How do I ensure the water quality is suitable for freshwater shrimp keeping?
A: It’s important to maintain good water quality for shrimp. This includes monitoring parameters such as ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. Regular water changes and keeping the water clean are essential to ensure the health of the shrimp.
Q: Can shrimp be kept in a planted aquarium?
A: Shrimp are great companions for plants in a planted tank. They can help maintain the plants’ health by grazing on algae and other organic matter. The plants also provide hiding spots for the shrimp.
Q: How do I prevent shrimp from escaping the tank?
A: Shrimp are not known for being great climbers or jumpers, but it’s important to ensure the tank is properly sealed to prevent any escape attempts. Use a lid or cover that fits securely to keep the shrimp safely inside the tank.
Q: How often do shrimp reproduce?
A: Shrimp are known for their impressive reproductive capabilities. They can reproduce quickly, and under ideal conditions, they can produce multiple batches of baby shrimp throughout the year. This can lead to a thriving shrimp population in the tank.
Q: What do shrimp eat?
A: Shrimp can be fed various foods, including specialized shrimp pellets, algae wafers, blanched vegetables, and live or frozen foods. Providing a balanced diet is important for their overall health and well-being.
Q: Can shrimp be kept with other fish or tankmates?
A: Shrimp can be kept with certain fish and tankmates, but choosing compatible species is important. Some fish, particularly larger or more aggressive ones, may see shrimp as food and try to eat them. It’s best to research and choose tankmates known to be shrimp-friendly.
Q: What are some common issues to watch out for when keeping shrimp?
A: When keeping shrimp, it’s important to watch out for sudden water parameter changes, ammonia and nitrite spikes, introduction of harmful substances like copper, and snail infestations. Monitoring the tank and addressing any issues promptly can help maintain the health of the shrimp.
