Giant freshwater shrimp. Shrimp - description of varieties with photos; benefits and harms, composition of shrimp; how to choose, clean and cook them correctly. Which order do shrimp belong to?

This amazing creature has many names, the most famous of which are macrobrachium Rosenberg, giant river shrimp and long-armed shrimp. Experts say that her meat is very tasty. And we tend to believe them. It is not for nothing that many farms have been built in southeast Asia, in other countries and even in the south of Russia, where these arthropods are bred for sale. In addition, Macrobrachium rosenbergii can become a very interesting object for display in an aquarium. They have a rather unusual appearance and habits. Read our article about how to properly keep giant freshwater shrimp in your home pond.

The areas of its distribution in nature are India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Northern Australia, the Philippines and New Guinea. Adult shrimp can be found there most often in fresh, quiet, heavily overgrown reservoirs, the bottom of which is lined with sand and stones, and littered with snags. The temperature in them, depending on the season, ranges from 24 to 32 °C. When it's time to spawn, they migrate to lower rivers or estuaries, where the water is saltier.

What does a Rosenberg shrimp look like?

The sizes of these creatures are quite large, females are approximately 28 cm, and males are 32 cm. The weight of the latter can reach 250 g, and they also have large, long, coal-colored claws. Sometimes the right and left are different sizes.

Equipment: filter, dim lighting. The current should not be strong. Daylight hours are 12 hours.

Priming. You can put dark-colored river sand with a fraction of 2-4 mm on the bottom. The surface should not be flat. Terraces and depressions are welcome.

Shelters and decor. The giant Vietnamese shrimp grows very quickly and therefore sheds often. During this period, she is extremely defenseless and can easily be eaten by her relatives. To protect it, you need to arrange a sufficient number of shelters. These can be snags, thickets, stone piles, grottoes, ceramic pipes.

Flora. It is better not to use live aquarium plants. They will be eaten. You can try planting “tasteless” cryptocoryne or ophiopogon, while feeding the shrimp with pre-scalded lettuce, dandelion, burdock, and nettle. If this does not help, then there is only one way out - to decorate the aquarium with artificial plants. It is better to place them in dense groups.

Our pets adapt quite quickly and can adapt to life under other conditions. However, if these recommendations are followed, the living conditions will be as close as possible to natural ones, and the shrimp will live longer (4-5 years).

What to feed giant freshwater shrimp

Suitable for both animal and plant food. From live food, you can give tubifex, bloodworms, coretra, cyclops and large daphnia. From time to time it is advisable to treat amphibian larvae, mollusks, and live fish. Seafood (squid, mussels, haddock, pollock, cod fillet and others) will also be used. Of course, everything must be pre-chopped. From the vegetation it will be useful to feed scalded nettles, spinach and burdock. Sometimes you can give artificial fish food like Tetra and the like.

Feed is supplied as needed when the previous one is completely destroyed. If you leave it to sit for a long time, the water may deteriorate.

Is it possible to obtain offspring in captivity?

Overall this is not a difficult task. But! Water for breeding should be brackish.

Sexual maturity occurs at 4-5 months of age. Manufacturers must be in good physical condition, active, without damage or disease.

Preparation period. Females are placed in a container with a temperature of 22 °C. They are kept there for three weeks. Next, the temperature is increased to 28-29 °C for three days. All shrimp are given food in abundance. It is better to use live food, as well as artificial food, which contains at least 30% protein (for sturgeon and salmon).

For reproduction, a male and three to four females are placed in one container. After mating and spawning, the females take care of the eggs: ventilate them and remove dead ones.

Larval stage– the most difficult in the development of shrimp. It is very characteristic of her high mortality rate. It is extremely important to control all water parameters:

  • temperature 27-29 °C;
  • salinity 12% (ppm);
  • oxygen 5 g/l;
  • acidity 8-8.2 pH;
  • nitrites 0.1 g/l;
  • other nitrogen compounds 0.001 g/l;
  • illumination 4000 lux;
  • daylight hours 12 hours.

Larval development consists of 12 stages. Each lasts approximately three days and ends with a molt.

Feeding begins on the second day, preferably fresh nauplii of arrhythmia. From the fifth day you can add the yolk of a boiled egg and minced fish.

Next comes the transformation into postlarvae. Also with rapid growth and frequent molts, the number of which decreases as they grow. Postlarvae are transplanted into a container with reduced salinity (6 o/oo). They begin to lead a bottom-dwelling lifestyle. The diet can be supplemented with boiled vegetables and cereals.

Juveniles can be kept in community aquariums with fish and other small shrimp. But when their size reaches 5 cm, it is better to plant them, as they will become dangerous to others. It is also better to immediately separate parents from young people to avoid cannibalism.

This is interesting

The giant oriental Rosenberg shrimp is considered one of the most delicious, which is why in many countries and even in Russia they are bred for gastronomic purposes. In Thailand, this matter is completely on stream. Treating yourself to such a shrimp is not a cheap pleasure: one piece costs about 15-20 euros. They are transported live (in special cars or boxes with wet moss) or frozen.

In conclusion, we note that keeping, and even more so breeding, giant freshwater shrimp is not an entirely simple matter, but it is very interesting. That’s why if you have some experience in aquarium keeping, and most importantly, a desire, then go for it. You will definitely succeed!

We eat this sea ​​creature, and what do we know about him? Today we will tell you how he lives shrimp V sea ​​depths, where it lives, what species exist and much more.

Description of shrimp

Shrimp is a mollusk belonging to the decapod crayfish, with a body length of only 10-12 cm (a maximum of some individuals reach 30 cm) with a body weight of 20 grams. Life cycle of a shrimp varies from 1.5 to 6 years.

Did you know that the mollusk is a unique creature? These creatures are able to shed their shell, replacing it with a new one. But the most interesting thing is that the sea creature’s heart and genitals are located in the head area, where the digestive and urinary organs are also located! Like all crustaceans and fish, the shrimp is breathing with the help of gills, which are located next to the walking legs and are protected by a shell. By the way, no matter how surprising it may be, in normal condition the blood of a shrimp is blue! And only from a lack of oxygen does it become discolored. These creatures live in almost any body of water in the world, except for the Arctic and Antarctica, focusing on areas of the equator.

Types of shrimp

Scientists identify more than 2,000 species, which they divided into subspecies:

1. Freshwater

2. Cold water

3. Warm water

4. Brackish water

HABITAT, REPRODUCTION AND NUTRITION OF SHRIMP

Shrimp habitat

Did you know what exactly shrimp play an important role in the ecosystem of seas and oceans? These small creatures clean the bottom of reservoirs from various tubifex worms, fish and aquatic insects. In search of food, the marine inhabitant leads a fairly active lifestyle, constantly moving through bodies of water. Little cleaners cleanse the body of dead brothers and small algae, sometimes attacking big fish, but only on sleeping or sick people.

Of course, everyone species of shrimp lives in different places. Warm water, for example, live only in the southern oceans and seas, and there are about a hundred species of them. Cold water found in the Baltic and North Seas, in the Barents Sea, near the coasts of Canada and Greenland. By the way, this is one of the most common types of shrimp. You probably already realized that brackish water mollusks are inhabitants of salty seas and oceans. Freshwater They also live in Russia, Australia, and the countries of South and South-East Asia. Chilean inhabit the South American coasts, the Black, Baltic and Mediterranean Seas, and our beloved king prawns in the Atlantic Ocean.

What do shrimp eat?


Basis of shellfish nutrition– organic matter and endangered aquatic plants. Among plants, preference is given to succulent varieties, such as ceratopteris. These creatures resemble scavengers who will not disdain to feast on dead shellfish and even young fish. In shrimp There are organs of touch and smell that perfectly help in finding food - these are kind of antennas on the head. Residents closer to the equator even dig up the soil in search, running around the perimeter until they stumble upon food. As soon as mollusk found what he was looking for, he instantly and greedily pounces on food. And only blind individuals of the Black Sea eat silt with their mandibles (jaws), and cold-water ones with pure plankton.

At home, we can add to the diet animal dandelion and clover leaves, cucumbers, boiled carrots, zucchini, Walnut, chestnut, cherry.

Shrimp breeding

As soon as the female is ready to lay eggs, she secretes a yellow-green mass with a specific smell, to which the males flock like bees to honey. Once the couple has chosen each other, they begin mate, which lasts no more than a minute. One female can lay 20-30 eggs, which develop from 10 to 30 days, depending on the environment. During the moment of formation, the shrimp in the caviar changes from 9 to 12 times! First, the legs are formed, and only then the head with all the organs located there. About 10% of the young animals die from predators, but in the aquarium you will be able to save 30%. And all because they are not able to obtain food, eating only the available food.

VIDEO: ABOUT PRAWNS

IN THIS VIDEO YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT HOW THEY ACTUALLY HARVEST PRAWNS FROM THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA

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 dots (for males) and strokes (for females) randomly located 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 to be 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 in 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.
  • Aquarium water parameters 23-25°, pH 7-7.5, medium hardness.

Blue-footed bee

Blue Leg shrimp, Blue Poso shrimp, Caridina ensifera Blue, Caridina Blue Tail, Peacock.

The appearance of the blue-legged bee is more than remarkable and is unlikely to leave any aquarist indifferent. Body gray, blue spots on the tail (for which the crustacean was nicknamed Peacock), blue legs and bright red antennae - 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 ranges from red to cherry, and the always-on-trend white polka dots on the sides. Thin and long legs and a sharp nose only add aristocracy to Cardinal Shrimp. Despite the apparent simplicity, keeping these arthropods has a lot of pitfalls and is 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.

Macrobrachnums, 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 image life, are ready to actively hunt down prey at any time. Therefore, forget about the idea of ​​keeping ringed fish with other arthropods or small fish. For these tireless hunters, large fish of at least 5 cm, living in medium and upper layers home pond.

  • They live in nature in the Eastern Himalayas, in local mountain lakes and rivers.
  • The length reaches 7cm.
  • Longevity of life 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, the red Hawaiian shrimp, in a stressful situation, ceases to be 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 implies, it lives in Hawaii.
  • The standard size does not exceed 1.2 cm.
  • The life cycle is on average 8 – 10 years.
  • Surprisingly, both salt and fresh water are suitable for life. 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, it 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. 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 its 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 an 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 natural environment This shrimp is a vegetarian, so if there is a lack of vegetation in its diet, it will happily eat aquarium plants.

  • Homeland India and Southeast Asia. Reservoirs with standing water or very weak currents.
  • 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 salty 8-10 grams 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. The transparent body is orange, 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 predator species, so you should choose their neighbors very carefully; 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.
  • Maintenance 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-bearing 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 large a part 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 can show aggression during the breeding season; 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 5cm females, males maximum 4cm, both in good conditions.
  • Here's a look at good conditions The contents of these shrimp are 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 its 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 appearance of the Leander is not very expressive - an almost transparent body and very long antennae, sometimes exceeding the length of 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. The ideal option would be if the water temperature in the aquarium drops in winter and rises in the spring, closer to summer, 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 the life of your pets easier:

  1. Copper is contraindicated for any type of shrimp. Be careful, because it is contained in many medicines for fish.
  2. 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.
  3. The presence of plants in the aquarium is mandatory. It is better if it is mosses and small-leaved small breeds and larger ones for arthropods of serious size.
  4. 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.

This creature of nature has a rather unusual appearance. Shrimp are creatures of the aquatic world, and it is fun to observe their behavior while snorkeling, for example, in tropical waters. If you stir the lush algae, these crustaceans begin to jump out like grasshoppers from the grass.

Shrimps. Definition

This animal optimally adapted to living conditions in the depths of the sea, which undoubtedly affected its structure. Shrimp - who is this? Crustacean from the order (there are a total of 250 genera and about 2,000 species). Caridea (as these inhabitants of the seas and oceans are scientifically called) are distributed everywhere in the oceans and seas, found even in some fresh water bodies, the most diverse species are represented in tropical waters. They are found in abundance in the Black and Azov Seas. To the question “Is a shrimp an animal or not?” - the answer is clearly positive, since all arthropods are representatives of the animal kingdom.

Structure

The body is elongated in length and slightly flattened at the sides. It is divided into two main segments: the abdomen and cephalothorax. The second section makes up half of the entire body. At the beginning of the cephalothorax shell there is a pair of eyes that are located in special recesses. The cephalothorax is protected by a chitinous shell, hard and durable, formed from 2 plates and attached to the gills. But the lower part of the shell is soft. The sizes of different species range from 2 to 30 centimeters.

Organs of vision

The shrimp is an unusual animal that has different vision: day and night. Each of her eyes consists of a huge number of facets, and with age their number increases. The facet segments are separated by pigment spots. And each element perceives those rays that fall perpendicular to the cornea. Such vision can be called mosaic. It is characteristic that at night the pigments disperse to the base of the eyes, and oblique rays can reach the retina: the shrimp already sees objects in full, but their outlines are blurred.

Shrimp is a decapod crustacean

Despite the fact that these Marine life classified as decapods, in fact they have as many as nineteen pairs of limbs. And each is responsible for a specific action. The antennae, for example, are used for touch, and the thin ones, with small claws at the end, perform a special task - with their help the animal cleans its body and gills if they are clogged. Other legs are used to move along the bottom, they bigger size and longer than the others. And the limbs of the abdomen are used when the crustacean has to swim. At the end of the body there is a wide, strong fin. It bends sharply, making it possible to move in jerks. When a shrimp stops and sits down, for example, on algae, it moves its long antennae in all directions.

What do they eat?

The shrimp is an omnivore. The menu of these aquatic inhabitants consists of plankton, as well as algae, and even soil. Usually, a huge number of shrimp of some species are found near fishing nets: they eat the caught fish so quickly that, if they do not get the gear in time, the fishermen may only get naked skeletons.

Shrimp find their food using their senses of smell and touch. If antennas or eyes are lost, this time can increase significantly. In this case, the animal uses the fingers of its walking legs and the bristles of its mouth appendages - they are highly sensitive.

Reproduction

Shrimp are bisexual, but male and female corresponding glands are formed in different time. At the onset of puberty, the individual first becomes a male, and in the third year of its life it transforms into the opposite, female sex. Females glue eggs onto the hairs of the abdominal legs, and then bear the offspring (literally - carry them with them) until hatched larvae emerge from the eggs.

Delicacies

These animals are also traditionally eaten. Recipes for culinary dishes that include these seafood as ingredients are popular among different peoples, mainly living on the coasts. Like many other seafood, these crustaceans are rich in protein and calcium while containing few calories. Dishes containing shrimp are a good source of “good” cholesterol and, as a food, are undoubtedly a tasty and healthy delicacy.

It is not known exactly how many species of shrimp exist, because, firstly, many varieties live in the seas, oceans and fresh water bodies, and it cannot be said that all of them have already been discovered. And, secondly, work is constantly underway on crossing and selection of aquarium shrimp, as a result of which new species appear.

Shrimps belong to the phylum Arthropods, class Crustaceans, that is, they are the closest relatives of crayfish. In some species of shrimp this is reflected in their appearance. How exactly?

Aquarium shrimp: types and contents

Shrimp serve several functions in an aquarium. The first is cleaning the bottom of the aquarium from organic residues. For the most part, shrimp are peaceful creatures, so if you see a shrimp eating, for example, a dead fish, you don’t need to blame it - the shrimp simply cleans the aquarium of decaying remains, which contributes to its cleanliness and balance.

The second function is aesthetic. Many species have beautiful colors, so the aquarium with them acquires a “zest”.

What types of shrimp are there for an aquarium? Let's look at the most interesting of them.

Freshwater individuals

It should be noted that these types of shrimp are not suitable for eating. Therefore, shrimp can be bred in an aquarium only for beauty and sanitary purposes. There is a lot of variety freshwater species aquarium shrimps that naturally live in rivers, lakes, and estuaries.

Neocardines

Popular and unpretentious. They live on average 1-2 years. There are several types of neocardine shrimp. It is recommended to keep them separately, since all neocardines can interbreed with each other, which will lead to color degeneration in the offspring.

All the others originated from neocardina vulgaris, as a result of random mutations and selection work. The usual neocardina is transparent and, due to its extreme unpretentiousness and low cost, is ideal for those who have never kept shrimp before.

Cherry shrimp

Otherwise known as “red cherry”, “cherry shrimp”, “red fire” or simply “cherry”. It appeared in Russia in 2004.

The most suitable conditions for neocardinfish are a water temperature of 22-25 degrees Celsius and thickets of plants at the bottom, such as Java moss. You should avoid the proximity of cherries and predators, as well as other crustaceans - crabs, crayfish.

Cherry shrimp are, as the name suggests, red in color. Thanks to the work of breeders? There are many variations of its saturation and shades. By the way, it can change depending on the conditions in the aquarium - food, lighting, neighbors, water temperature, soil color (the color intensifies on a dark bottom) and so on. From stress, caused, for example, by a threat from predator fish, shrimp become discolored.

Cherries are easy to distinguish by gender - males are smaller and fussier, their coloring is weaker. In contrast, females are slower and calmer and are brighter in color.

Yellow shrimp

The yellow shrimp was bred in Japan from the wild Neocardine species in the mid-2000s. By the way, the cherry shrimp was bred from the same wild species.

The yellow shrimp got its name due to its color, which is rare for shrimp. In size, like its relative cherry, it is small - 2.5-3 cm. The range of temperatures acceptable for keeping is slightly larger than that of that one - 22-28 degrees Celsius.

Female yellow shrimp are larger than males, their color is rather dark yellow and their underbelly is curved, so they are easy to distinguish from males. Females may also have a stripe along the back, which males do not have.

One of the variations of yellow shrimp, neon yellow, is distinguished by a bright yellow stripe on its back.

Riley shrimp

A mutation of the cherry shrimp, released in 1996. There are different color variations; The classic Riley shrimp has a bright red tail, head and chest and a transparent body. Grown-up females have yellow spot on the neck. The size of these shrimp is 2-2.5 cm, females are slightly larger than males.

Chocolate, white, blue neocardines

Females of this species have a rich brown, while males are much paler. The size ranges from 2.5 (males) to 3 (females) cm. The temperature suits them from 23 to 26 degrees Celsius.

Neocardina Shanjagensis white is sold under the name Snowball or White Pearl, obtained thanks to caviar similar to snowballs. Unpretentious shrimps, transparent whitish, look best on dark soil. Females are more decorative than males. The temperature suits them is from 20 to 28 degrees Celsius.

An interesting feature of these shrimp, which sets them apart from all other neocardines, is the absence of a larval stage.

Neocardina Shanjagensis blue. You can also find other names - Blue Ice, Blue Pearl. This is the second color variation of Neocardina Shanjarentis. It has a bluish color with a pearl seemingly hidden in the front of the body. They are also unpretentious to living conditions.

Other shrimp

In addition to such common neocardines, there are others interesting views shrimp.

Amano shrimp. These shrimp reach a length of 4-5 cm. Their coloring is unusual; on a transparent or light green body there are small red-brown spots or broken lines, as well as a light stripe on the back. Amano are masters of camouflage, their ability to mimicry is so great that sometimes it is impossible to notice them at all at the bottom.

Females of Amano shrimp are much larger than males and sexually mature age wider than them.

A distinctive feature that makes these shrimp desirable inhabitants of the aquarium is that they eat filamentous algae, which is not easy to overcome. The optimal water temperature ranges from 20 to 28 degrees Celsius.

Green shrimp. Sometimes it is also called dark green shrimp. She became famous among aquarists in 2007. It is distinguished by its rich, dark green color and size of 3-3.5 cm. It is easy to confuse it with Babaulti, a similar-colored shrimp.

Dark green prefers water with a temperature of 20 to 28 degrees Celsius. Females are larger, thicker and darker in color than males. Their caviar is a rich lemon green color.

Babaulti Shrimp. Also called green algae shrimp, this is fair, since most often it is green shrimp of this species that can be seen in the aquarium. What colors do this type of shrimp come in? They can be blue, red, brown and orange. When stressed, they can instantly change the color of their translucent body.

The size of these shrimp does not exceed 4 cm; females are larger than males and in adulthood have a yellow-green spot on their neck.

Bee

She is also a black bee or a crystal black shrimp. It is black and white in color and reaches 2.5-3 cm. Sensitive to water parameters and its contamination, it needs water with pH 6.5-7.5, GH 4-6, KH 1-2, temperature 18-26 degrees Celcius. It is important to create just such conditions for the black bee, so it cannot be called easy to keep.

Blue bee shrimp. Its size and optimal conditions are similar to cherry shrimp.

The shrimp was first introduced in 2008. Despite the name, the color can be not only blue, but also purple or brown. Because of this, it can be difficult to determine the exact type of shrimp, because most of bees caught in wildlife, and its breeding has not yet become widespread.

The sex of bee shrimp can only be determined in adulthood. The main difference between females and males is that their lower abdomen is curved, and the female itself is larger.

Red crystal and Indian glass

Red crystal. Sometimes it is called the red bee. Originally appeared as a mutation of the black bee. This is a beautiful shrimp with white and red stripes, size - 2.5-3 cm. It is not easy to keep, like its ancestor, it loves soft acidic water with a temperature of 18-26 degrees Celsius, and is demanding on the purity and quality of the water.

Indian glass shrimp. Another name - ghost shrimp - it received for its transparent color. However, they may have a yellowish or orange tint. There are small spots on the tail. Females reach 5 cm, males - 3-4 cm. The water temperature for normal life should be 20-29 degrees Celsius.

Rosenberg shrimp

Huge shrimp, an adult is 13 cm in size. They can hunt small fish and eat aquarium plants. The desired water temperature is 26-30 degrees Celsius; high water hardness is required for good shell development.

These shrimp are transparent in at a young age, over time, the color may change, transparency decreases, and blue stripes may appear on the body.

Rosenberg shrimp are interesting because their behavior is quite complex, and there are mating games.

Filter

Other names include bamboo shrimp, Asian filter shrimp, and tree shrimp. It was called a filterer due to its legs with cilia-fans, with which the shrimp filters water flows and thus catches food.

The color comes in different colors and shades - brown, red, red. The dimensions of an adult are 7-10 cm, the optimal temperature is 22-27 degrees Celsius.

Shrimp Cardinal

Very beautiful small (2-2.5 cm) shrimp of deep red tones with white front legs and dots on the body. They are found infrequently and are not suitable for beginners, as they are demanding in terms of living conditions. The recommended water temperature is 26 degrees Celsius; cardinals do not live long in cold water. Also important for them is high water hardness and pH 7-9.

You can see the beauty of this type of shrimp in the photo.

Harlequin and the Ringed Hand

Like the Cardinals, the Harlequins are very beautiful. Their rich, contrasting colors combine red, white and black. These shrimp are very small - only 0.6-1.2 cm. They are quite shy and whimsical, so it is better for experienced aquarists to keep them. The preferred temperature is 26 degrees Celsius.

Shrimp Ringed Hand. These are large (6-8 cm) marbled beige-brown shrimp with long claws in red and rusty shades. Thanks to their claws, they got their name. These shrimp are not as peaceful as many others - they often fight and can cause wounds small fish. Males are larger than females and reach 8 cm. Keeping temperature is 20-30 degrees Celsius; they love oxygenated water. They can eat plants.

Ninja

Usually named by features appearance shrimp, and their names are often very fancy and unusual. One more thing - Ninja. This shrimp was named so because of its ability to quickly change color and mimicry, allowing it to literally go invisible. It is difficult to name the color of a shrimp, because it can change it to almost any other.

It is also called Christmas shrimp, honey shrimp.

Ninja's size is normal for shrimp - 2.5-3.5 cm, the optimal temperature is 22-27 degrees Celsius.

Khanka shrimp

It was named after Khanka Island in the Far East. In terms of structural features and behavior, they are similar to freshwater crayfish. The size of this shrimp is 3-4.15 cm, males are 10-15 mm larger than females, which is generally rare for shrimp.

Khanka shrimp are not a particularly attractive species, with a grayish-brownish translucent color. They have mustaches and claws. They are kept not for their beauty, but for the benefits they bring to the aquarium. It is advisable to maintain the temperature of the water in which they live from 21 to 24 degrees Celsius and organize a “change of seasons” - in winter, cool it to 18-20 degrees Celsius.

Chameleon and Pearl Shrimp

Chameleon. Otherwise - shrimp of the year. Brown color, light stripes and dark brown spots on the body. These shrimp have powerful claws. They are aggressive, it is better not to keep fish with them and to create shelters in the aquarium if there are several shrimp. Active in the evening. The temperature preferred is 18-24 degrees Celsius.

Males of Chameleons are much larger than females, 9-12 cm versus 7 cm.

Pearl shrimp. Relatively small shrimp up to 5 cm in length. There are other names - Sand shrimp, Marble shrimp. A peaceful appearance with small claws and a pleasant coloration, their body is light greenish or brownish-white in color, covered with white and black dots. They are whimsical, love clean water 15-28 degrees Celsius and pH above 7, very sensitive to changes in its parameters.

Japanese river shrimp and black tiger shrimp

These shrimp are 7-8 cm in size, have large orange or brick claws, white “stockings” on their legs and a transverse stripe on their back. The body itself is translucent brownish, the color intensity increases with age.

In general, they are not aggressive, but they can fight for territory and also eat sedentary fish and snails. A very unpretentious species, but it is still advisable to maintain the temperature in the range of 26-30 degrees Celsius and saturate the water with oxygen.

Black tiger shrimp. Very beautiful black shrimp with orange or black eyes. Females are slightly larger than males and grow up to 3 cm. They are very difficult to keep and cannot tolerate changes in water parameters, which are limited by clear boundaries. The required water temperature for maintenance is 21.5-23.5 degrees Celsius, pH - 7.2-7.4.

Sea shrimps. Type: Doctor

In cooking, it is the saltwater species of shrimp that are used for food. However, let's look at the most famous inedible species, suitable for marine aquariums.

Adult Doctors are 5-6 cm in size. They have an attractive color - a white longitudinal stripe on the back combined with crimson stripes on the sides. There are also white antennae.

This shrimp needs a marine aquarium with a temperature of 22-26 degrees Celsius, salt water and high hardness, an imitation is desirable coral reef. During molting, it is desirable to contain iodine in the water.

An interesting feature of Pacific cleaner shrimp is that they do not have females, all shrimp are born males and only with age they acquire bisexuality, that is, the shrimp is both male and female.

Fire cleaner shrimp

These shrimp are very shy and secretive; in daylight they hide in shelters. But over time, they can begin to recognize the owner and take food from his hands.

In matters of maintenance, you should focus on the needs of the desired type of shrimp, take into account the temperature suitable for it, the frequency of water changes and other parameters.

Many people need hard water with a high calcium content (carbonate hardness in the range of 5-10), because shrimp, like all crustaceans, molt periodically, and in soft water their new shell may not harden sufficiently. Immediately after molting, shrimp have a soft body that is easily damaged, and at first they hide. The old shrimp shell is usually eaten.

All shrimp are very sensitive to copper, even small doses can be lethal. In this regard, the shrimp should be moved to another container if other inhabitants of the aquarium require treatment with copper-containing preparations or, conversely, treatment should be carried out in a special quarantine aquarium. Anti-snail tablets can also be harmful to shrimp.

For all small shrimp, a small (from 10 liters) aquarium is suitable - a shrimp tank with a thick layer of soil in which aquarium plants will take root well. You should choose unpretentious species, since in shrimp tanks there is no need to supply CO 2, which is so beloved by plants. Java moss, hornwort, vallisneria, Thai fern and others are suitable. In a large aquarium, shrimp will simply “get lost” due to their miniature size. The average stocking density of these crustaceans is 2 shrimp per liter (this is only true for small species).

Most shrimp require a high oxygen content in the water, so it is advisable to have an aerator and turn it on at least at night, when the plants stop releasing O2. You also need to remember that as the temperature rises, the oxygen level decreases, and accordingly, additional aeration is also needed. And at temperatures above 32 degrees Celsius, shrimp die very easily even with aeration, because protein coagulation occurs in their bodies.

Thus, there are a huge number of species of shrimp, the description of which is impossible to fully describe. Among these funny and useful animals, both beginners and experienced aquarists will find suitable ones. The main thing to remember when purchasing shrimp is the simple rules for keeping them, and then these tireless cleaners will serve as orderlies and decoration of the aquarium.

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