Shrimp MIA

marusempai · Post by **marusempai** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:47 am

First off, note that I am a total noob at shrimp so this is probably a dumb question. I got some zebra shrimp and an amano shrimp for my small comunity aquarium (biggest thing in there is a baby butterfly pleco), and by the next day I'm hooked on the little guys and planning my all-shrimp aquarium. The problem is, as of today I can't find any shrimp. One of the zebras has been missing for three, four days now, although I saw the other zebra and the amano yesterday, and they seemed in fine health (crawling/swimming about and picking at things, the amano was even tormenting the tetras a little). I also found a zebra shrimp sized molted shell this morning, which seems fresh. Maybe that's a good sign? Do you think they're dead under a rock somewhere, or just hiding? I was really hoping they'd live long enough to call the tank their own in a couple of weeks, and I seem to have become irrationally attached to the little guys.

Shrimp&Snails · Post by **Shrimp&Snails** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:12 am

The best way to keep shrimp is without any fish (except ottos and bn plecs). Some fish will chase and pick at shrimp....this harassment makes them hide away. Some fish will also eat shrimp and/or shrimplets.
Also if your fish get sick you're limited to a couple of treatments that won't affect shrimp.

I have a small shoal of pygmy corydoras and a bn male in with my cherries...I plan to rehome the corys to hubby's tank when the cherries start reproducing so the shrimplets won't end up as fishy snacks.

I have no fish in my tiger tank and one bn male in my amano tank.

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:25 am

Welcome marusempai

First off it is normal to get irrationally attached to the little guys, this is how most of us get started

I agree with what Shrimp&Snails said about keeping shrimp with fish. If your shrimp has been missing for a while and you have searched everywhere then it could mean two things; worst case is it has died and been eaten or it could mean you need to look harder.

You mentioned you saw a shell from a molt. After a molt the shrimp are very soft and vulnerable, this is another reason to not keep shrimp with fish. I hope the best for your new shrimp tank and remember their is no known cure for being bitten by the "shrimp bug"

marusempai · Post by **marusempai** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:12 pm

I know I need an all shrimp tank, I'm having a little trouble talking my husband into anything bigger than five gallons though...

On a good note though, we found one of the zebras, it's in this cave under one of the rocks that seems to go way back, so they're probably hiding in there. I'll probably just get a five gal for the shrimp, and when I talk him into something bigger, I'm sure I can find something else to put in it.

Speaking of which, I'm not insane to be starting with zebra shrimp am I? They're just so cute.

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 6:30 pm

A 10 gallon tank costs about half what a 5 gallon tank costs, and it is much better for the shrimp.

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:45 pm

Speaking of which, I'm not insane to be starting with zebra shrimp am I? They're just so cute.

You can start with any kind of fish you want as long as you know what conditions they need and are able to provide them

ToddnBecka · Post by **ToddnBecka** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:07 pm

They're just so cute.

My wife (Becka) says the same thing about the baby cherry shrimp, baby fish, pretty much baby anything.

She's looking forward to the dwarf crayfish breeding as much as I am. For overall cuteness though, baby catfish are tough to beat, particularly the petricola's.

Little ones with black stripes, pink bellies, and white "whiskers".

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:20 pm

Hi Todd,

As a guy I can not deny or confirm the cuteness of these babies. Bah, okay I agree they are soooo darn cute,

.

ToddnBecka · Post by **ToddnBecka** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:25 pm

There is just something undeniably appealing about new life, and satisfying to know that you have provided good conditions for it. It's not a guy/girl thing, it's a human thing.

aardvark · Post by **aardvark** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 4:25 am

Amen to that!

I'm thrilled that I got the tank in good enough condition for my shrimp and snails to feel comfortable enough to breed; makes one feel good that you're doing something right!

marusempai · Post by **marusempai** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:16 am

badflash wrote:A 10 gallon tank costs about half what a 5 gallon tank costs, and it is much better for the shrimp.

It's as much of a space issue as a cost issue, although I'll bring that up... he just doesn't seem to understand why I need more than one tank.

I certainly do want a ten gal, at least, I really want to breed these guys. Speaking of trying to convince him, does anybody have some super secret techniques for setting up a tank on the cheap? I've already been thinking of an open top tank with some manner of cheap desk lamp, and making my own sponge out of camping foam for the filter, but that only cuts about ten bucks...

ToddnBecka · Post by **ToddnBecka** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:46 am

I picked up an 8' strip of vinyl "outside corner molding" at Lowe's for less than a buck.

A couple pieces of 1/8" glass cut to fit the top of the tank, (a bit more than 1/2 the depth from front to back, so they overlap) and you can make a DIY sliding glass cover very cheaply. The lower channel holds the front glass, which slides back under the top piece. I used a stray suction cup for a temporary handle, until I find a good knob to epoxy on for a handle.

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:47 am

You can save on gravel by not having any but instead placing a leaf litter instead. It also makes it easier to clean the bottom of the tank. Your shrimp will thank you and so will their babies

marusempai · Post by **marusempai** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 9:33 pm

I thought it was good to have gravel, because it gave the algae and good bacterias a place to grow? How much leaf litter are you talking about? Like, covering the bottom, or less? I actually live near a good sized creek, and was thinking of covering the bottom of my tank mostly with rocks from there, with a "leaf litter area" at the front. The best place for this is probably in my office, so I'd really like it to look nice... healthier shrimp is more important though.

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 11:52 pm

The leaves along with the tank and filter will allow th algae and good bacteria you are talking about a place to grow. The more leaves you have the more microorganism you will have for your shrimp. you might want to layer the entire bottom of your tank and then put the rocks on top for visual purposes. Whatever you decide, best wishes on your tank