Your first shrimp aquarium

Many people finding themselves attracted to shrimp already have experience in general fishkeeping - most of the considerations needed for fish are the same for shrimp. Some, though, are very specific and it's always better to start as you mean to go on...


Aquarium size

With all aquaria, bigger is often better. It leads to more stable water parameters and the means with which to decorate your aquarium suitably for the species you keep. An aquarium with a minimum size of 20l/5 gallons is often a good place to start, but do consider getting the largest tank you can afford.


Substrate

Natural substrates are better for all concerned. With synthetically coloured gravels, not only can they leach harmful substances into the water but can also stress out some shrimp. Darker subtrates bring out the colours of most shrimp and keep shrimp relaxed. If you do use coloured gravels, make sure they are completely inert. Sand or fine gravel is fine, whatever type you use.


Heater

Many shrimp breeders in Europe do not use heaters in their shrimp tanks, and their reasons are compelling - heaters can fail or overheat and boil your shrimp alive. Water equilibrates to room temperature anyway, so with a stable and suitable room temperature there should be no need for a heater. However, this can become a problem during colder months or in some climates, when it would be necessary to either keep central heating on 24/7, or find a specific room of the house that constantly remains the correct temperature for some other reason. The majority of shrimp are fine at 70-82°F/21-28°C, but temperatures should never exceed 86°F/30°C as this causes stress for most shrimp species. I have heaters in all my shrimp tanks for the colder months, particularly at night when the central heating tends to not be on, but rarely use them during the majority of the year.


Filter

Most powerfilters are unsuitable for shrimp tanks unless some modifications are made....the filter intakes can easily suck in shrimplets and young shrimp. A piece of sponge or pantyhose/tights over the intake works very well as a modification.

The majority of shrimp breeders, and many keepers, use air-driven sponge filters in their shrimp tanks. If you use a powerhead with your sponge filter make sure the current doesn't end up too strong for the shrimp.

Whichever type you use, make sure it has never been exposed to medications or treatments that contain copper. Shrimps, like all invertebrates, are extremely susceptible to copper poisoning, however many aquarium treatments do contain this metal and even a thorough washing of filter media won't remove all traces. Better to be safe than sorry - I recommend investing in a new filter for a shrimp tank. Copper is discussed further in the post about aquarium water.


Lighting

Standard aquarium lighting is more than sufficient for shrimp, particularly as strong lighting can heat the water and shrimp generally don't like bright light anyway. If you choose plants as well make sure they're suitable for the lighting you have.


Plants

The majority of shrimp appreciate some plants, particularly Java moss (Vesicularia dubyana). This is a very good shrimp plant as the shrimp love it, it required little light, it is extremely easy to grow and it removes nitrates from your tank. I also like to use moss balls (Cladophora aegagropila) in all my shrimp tanks. This isn't actually a moss but an algae....a very beneficial one! Not only do they look great, they trap debris and remove nitrates. Both moss balls and Java moss can be allowed to float free or can be tied to rock or wood.

Whatever plants you choose to keep with your shrimp, keep three things in mind:

- Make sure they don't require too much light
- Make sure they don't need fertilizer (the majority of aquatic plants don't)
- Make sure they don't leach harmful substances into the water (for example, Anubias sp. which leach oxalic acid when pruned)

Too many plants in an aquarium can be more harmful than having none: the beneficial bacteria in your aquarium require ammonia and nitrite to survive, and these substances are consumed by plants too...often before the bacteria get a chance to feed. Keep this in mind when choosing how many plants to keep.


Decor

I find the best decor for shrimp tanks is natural - wood, leaves, plants and rocks. The majority of shrimp greatly appreciate leaf litter, and I would recommend leaves in a shrimp tank. Decaying leaf litter provides micro-organisms, which are fed on by the shrimp, and are especially necessary for shrimplets. They also provide hiding places....

The majority of shrimp display thigmotactic/stereotactic response behaviour - meaning they require things to grab hold of or climb/walk up, and will become stressed with only smooth or bare surfaces. Wood in the form of sticks and rocks can provide the necessary facilities for the shrimp to satisfy their need to climb, and again provide hiding places.

Plants can also offer hiding places and surfaces to climb up. Java moss and moss balls are perfect for this, but many other plants suit shrimp too.

Not only do shrimp need places to hide from time to time just to be less stressed, they also require a hiding place after moulting (the shedding of their exoskeleton) as they remain very soft for a day or so before hardening again. This makes them very vulnerable.


Lids

Shrimp can and do climb and jump out of water. While this is quite uncommon in tanks with happy shrimp and good water conditions, it does still happen so make sure there's a lid on each of your shrimp tanks.


Community or species-only?

Shrimp species can be added to a community tank rather successfully, but there are conditions you have to appreciate before doing so:

- shrimp being preyed upon/eaten by other inhabitants
- shrimplets being eaten by even those inhabitants that leave adult shrimp alone
- shrimp being harassed by other inhabitants even if they aren't eaten - this can lead to stress and death
- restrictions on medications and treatment (or the need for a quarantine tank for sick fish)
- a few shrimp species can harass or attack fish (not applicable to caridina and neocaridina species)
- correct water parameters for all inhabitants

So while it's very much possible to keep your shrimp in a community aquarium, tankmates should be chosen with care. If you want to breed your shrimp, you must make very sure none of the other inhabitants will prey upon the shrimplets....this can be very tricky as eevn very small fish can find baby shrimps easy and wanted prey.

My personal preference is for species-only tanks. Shrimp live longer and breed more readily when happy and relaxed and, unless you have a large but understocked tank with shrimp-safe fish, they are usually happiest with their own kind.