Aquarium shrimp from A to Z. Breeding aquarium shrimp at home

One of the decorations for your “jar” can be aquarium shrimp.
Keeping shrimp in an aquarium is becoming more and more popular every year. There are many types of them. Like all living organisms, they require certain conditions. Some types aquarium shrimp unpretentious and suitable for beginners.
In this article we will talk about keeping shrimp in an aquarium, breeding shrimp in an aquarium, and also consider what types of shrimp exist for an aquarium.

Shrimps- These are crustaceans that live in both salt water and fresh water. Freshwater aquarium shrimp are relatives of those individuals that, in the process of evolution, have adapted to live in fresh water bodies.

Shrimp for the aquarium. Description

All types of aquarium shrimp differ from each other both in size and body color. Despite all these differences, the body structure of aquarium shrimp is the same.

These crustaceans do not have clearly defined claws. Instead, shrimp have jaws that are designed to hold, capture and deliver food to the mouth. In addition to the feeding process, the jaws also perform a motor function.

Shrimp red crystal

Aquarium shrimp also have a well-developed tail, which helps them in case of danger. In addition to the tail, they can boast of a good sense of smell, a sense of touch, which is provided by long antennae, and large viewing angles, which, in turn, are provided by the eyes.

The size of shrimp depends on the species. Medium and small species reach sizes of 2-5 cm. Large species- 15 cm.

Aquarium shrimp: types

• cherry Body color: red, females are more inconspicuous. Dimensions 2.5-3 cm. female, 2 cm. male. An unpretentious type of shrimp. Ideal option for beginners. It reproduces quickly and can live in small aquariums.
• blue or bee shrimp. Shrimp with a bluish color. Relatively the new kind. The sizes of the individuals are 2 cm, male, 2.5 cm, female. Not aggressive and unpretentious in maintenance. The reproduction rate is high.
• yellow.As the name suggests, the color of this type of shrimp is yellow. Males reach a size of 2.5 cm, females - 3 cm. Not aggressive, unpretentious species. Like previous species, yellow shrimp reproduce quickly. An excellent option for beginners.
• green. Shrimp with a greenish color. Dimensions: 3 cm males, 3.5 cm females. Easy to maintain, non-aggressive. Playback speed is average.

From left to right: Green Shrimp, Cherry Shrimp, Yellow Shrimp, Blue Shrimp

• rednose shrimp. It has a reddish-transparent color, with a pronounced red nose. Can be used to control unwanted algae. Body size reaches: females 4 cm, males 3 cm. For breeding, the larvae require salt water. Not aggressive, medium difficulty.
• Amano shrimp. Light green, transparent color with a light stripe on the back that stretches from the head to the tail. Adult size: 4 cm male, 5 cm female. A peaceful type of shrimp, easy to keep. Larvae need salty water.
• harlequin shrimp. Has a bright contrasting color. Black, red and white colors are combined. This is a small species of shrimp, males - 0.6 cm, females - 1.2 cm. Low reproduction speed. For beginners, maintaining this species will be more difficult.
• cardinal. Vibrant look shrimp. The color varies from dark red-pink to light red with white dots along the body. Dimensions: male 2 cm, female 2.5 cm. Reproduction rate is low. Requires experience in content (not for beginners).
• red crystal. Also called the red bee. A popular species in the aquarium hobby. Has a bright red color. Dimensions of an adult: male 2.5 cm, female 3 cm. High reproduction rate. Beginners may have difficulty with the content.

Conditions for keeping shrimp in an aquarium

In general, freshwater shrimp are not difficult to keep in an aquarium, unlike some ornamental species.

One of important factors there is a proper aquarium for shrimp, with enough space for each individual. Two specimens coexist in one liter of water. Although some species feel great in aquariums that have been replanted with their own kind.

In most cases, shrimp are kept in separate aquariums, shrimp tanks. You can also add them to fish. But even peaceful fish can hunt for small shrimps. Therefore, it is important that crustaceans have more places to hide: decorations, plants, stones.

The optimal temperature for keeping shrimp will be 20-28°C. But a drop to 15°C will not harm them. The shrimp will become less mobile and stop reproducing. But an increase in temperature to 32°C is destructive.

You need to change the water no more than once a week, about 1/5 of the total volume. The water that is added must be heated to room temperature. Shrimp can live in tap water. The rigidity should be higher. Since during the molting process they need necessary elements to strengthen the new shell.

It is important to siphon the soil thoroughly, since the life of shrimp produces a lot of waste. And with an increase in ammonia, diseases can occur.

Lack of oxygen also has a bad effect on shrimp. Therefore, install a good compressor.

If you have a shrimp tank and no one lives in the aquarium except crustaceans, it is not necessary to put it.

It is also not necessary to light an aquarium where shrimp live. But for a more attractive look, we still recommend installing at least minimal lighting. And don't forget about the lid. Since some types of these crustaceans can jump out of the aquarium.

Let us remind you once again about shelters. It is very good when there are live plants in the aquarium, especially.

From left to right: Rednose Shrimp, Cardinal Shrimp, Harlequin Shrimp, Amano Shrimp

What to feed shrimp in an aquarium?

Aquarium shrimp are omnivorous and unpretentious to food. They eat leftover fish food and eat algae formations, thereby cleaning the plants and aquarium. They feed on dead plant leaves and dead fish. You can feed shrimp with boiled vegetables or special food that can be bought at any pet store.

It is important not to overfeed the shrimp. You can give food no more than 1-3 times a week. Shrimp can go without food for 7 to 10 days.

Shrimp breeding

Shrimp are bisexual crustaceans.Females are much larger than males. Females also have a more convex abdomen and a larger tail. When the female reaches sexual maturity, eggs appear under her tail. She secretes a special substance to attract a male. The male does his job, fertilizes the eggs. The mother shrimp carries fertilized eggs for 4-6 weeks, from which larvae are formed. And the larvae grow into full-fledged shrimp.

Who do freshwater aquarium shrimp get along with?

Shrimp in the aquarium get along with snails, peaceful, small fish. With the exception of aggressive fish: some species of Barbs, all fighting fish, Cichlids, .

After reading our article and following these simple tips You can keep and breed shrimp at home. And they, in turn, will delight you with their beauty and habits. Because they are very interesting to watch!

Aquarium shrimp are a decoration for any aquarium. Freshwater aquarium shrimp are also kept in special species aquariums - shrimp tanks. These aquarium inhabitants are rather whimsical creatures that react more strongly to the chemical composition of the water than fish. This article describes some aspects of keeping these inhabitants of freshwater aquariums, caring for them, feeding them and much more.

The bulk of shrimp existing in the world live in salt water, and only a few species are freshwater. These species are kept in freshwater aquariums along with fish. An aquarium with a shrimp tank of 40-80 liters is suitable for keeping shrimp. In a smaller volume of water it is more difficult to maintain biobalance, and in a large volume your little inhabitants will get lost among the decorations and decorations. Of course, when keeping shrimp in a common aquarium with fish, you can and should use a larger volume.

If you decide to keep aquarium shrimp in a jar where fish are already swimming, it is necessary that these fish are not predators, because they will easily mistake them for food and gobble them up with pleasure.

Please note that even large peace-loving fish can swallow your shrimp, so they should be kept with small fish, and in your aqua there should be various plants and other shelters in which the shrimp can retire and hide. When keeping in an aquarium, you should put no more than 1 of them per liter of water, ideally, of course, less, but their size matters here.

The vast majority of aquarium freshwater shrimp feels great with the following water parameters:
- temperature 20-28 degrees. In no case should you allow the temperature to rise above 30 degrees, while a decrease to 15 degrees will not cause them much harm, but will slow down their metabolism, the shrimp will become lethargic, move little and stop reproducing.

The pH of the water should be in the range of 6.5-7.5, i.e. shifted towards the alkaline reaction. Acidic water with a pH below 6.2 will destroy the shrimp's shell (chitin layer). The water must be hard, because... hardness salts serve building material for the chitinous layer of shrimp.

Shrimp are very critical of temperature changes. For example, a strong temperature change can cause stress for fish, and it will simply kill shrimp. Already 7 degrees difference will be fatal.

Remember the main rule - the copper content in the water is lethal for shrimp!

Shrimp are very inquisitive creatures; they crawl into various crevices from which they then cannot get out and die there. Therefore, it is necessary to provide in the aquarium following conditions:

• Do not use a three-dimensional background, as young and curious individuals can crawl into various crevices between the background and the glass.
• When using an external filter, place a sponge on the intake tube to prevent shrimp from accidentally getting into it.
• It is advisable to use internal filters without plastic flasks; it is advisable that the filter sponge be open.

Make sure that the compressor is constantly on in your aquarium (around the clock), as these inhabitants are very sensitive to the oxygen content in the water.

A shrimp, like any crustacean, grows only at the moment of shedding its chitinous cover, i.e. during molting. The old shell becomes tight and she takes it off, leaving her unprotected for some time, so there must be various shelters nearby. You can use stones with large holes as shelters, or you can build one yourself from small-diameter plastic tubes assembled together and decorated on the outside with moss. The old shell should not be thrown out of the aquarium, because... it contains beneficial substances that promote rapid growth new shell and some shrimp may eat it.

Shrimp eat almost any food; they are omnivorous aquarium orderlies. Despite the fact that specialized food for shrimp is sold, you can safely do without it. They eat food left uneaten by the fish. Shrimp also love rotten ones. organic waste which accumulate on the filter sponge, they happily eat aquarium algae and dead fish, in a word - these are irreplaceable orderlies. On the other hand, hungry shrimp may happily attack a young and tender plant, so be careful before placing one in the aquarium.

Because shrimp eat a lot and defecate a lot, ammonia levels can quickly rise in an overcrowded tank, so be sure to do frequent water changes.

Among aquarium shrimp there is a very wide variety of species, each of which differs not only in size and color, but also in its ability to reproduce. At the end of this post we have published photos of some types of shrimp.

The most common species that can be found in aquariums are:

Cherry

Amano

Blue Bee

Harlequin

Red crystal

Modern aquarists have long gone beyond the traditional keeping of fish. Today, in artificial tanks you can increasingly find other aquatic inhabitants - turtles, frogs, crustaceans, snails. Even a shrimp can no longer be called a rare aquarium inhabitant. Such diversity is impressive, but only if the company is chosen wisely and everyone coexists peacefully. All unusual creatures are of interest, and aquarium shrimp are no exception. Who do these crustaceans get along with, and how difficult are they to keep?

These crustaceans can be found all over the world - they live in both fresh and salt water. However, there are many varieties of shrimp, and each of them has its own habitat:

Almost all successfully domesticated shrimp come from various Asian regions. Shrimp are crustaceans and belong to the phylum arthropods. But, unlike marine crustaceans, they have maxillary, thanks to which creatures not only move, but also capture and hold food.

In addition, aquarium shrimp have five pairs legs and quite massive tail, which helps them escape from enemies. After all, with the help of it, individuals can move quickly and spasmodically. Aquarium shrimp are very modest in size, but at the same time they have an excellent sense of smell and touch, which is provided by elongated antennae.

Besides, eyes These creatures can rotate, contributing to an expanded visual range - it is difficult for enemies to catch these big-eyed inhabitants by surprise. And such unusual organs of vision are very helpful in finding food. Oromaxillary system shrimp's is quite complex: it includes three jaws, the task of which is to grind food, as well as jaws that hold food in the mouth. Other limbs help these arthropods grab food and crawl. Size individuals depend on their gender, it varies within 3-8 cm.

Features of shrimp

Most freshwater shrimp are omnivores whose diet is based on lower aquatic vegetation. In addition to being omnivorous, they are distinguished by high endurance.

The most interesting thing to watch is shrimp in daytime days when they are most active - then the crustaceans quickly move along the ground surface, looking for food, and they are also able to deftly crawl along the leaves of plants.

When the shrimp senses danger, it begins to move quickly, making jerking movements due to the contraction of the tail. These creatures are prone to regular molting; they shed their shell shell, consisting of chitinous plates. During this period - 2-3 days before molting and 1-2 days after - they do not eat shrimp.

When shrimp are freed from the old cover, they hide in secluded places - plants, under pebbles or in grottoes, and for good reason - their soft tissues are left without a hard shell that performs protective functions.

After shedding their “skin,” crustaceans recover damaged or lost limbs. Regeneration processes in young animals are the most intense, while in adults they are slow and gradual.

Keeping aquarium shrimp

Freshwater crustaceans do not need special conditions, even a beginner can maintain and care for them. For one and a half dozen individuals, a 10-15 liter tank is enough. However, it is worth considering that these crustaceans are quite prolific, and sooner or later the number of inhabitants will increase, which means it is better to immediately place them in a more spacious aquarium.

These creatures look most impressive against the backdrop of black soil, but here you can rely on your own taste. The most suitable conditions for keeping aquarium shrimp are:

1. Water temperature– 24°-25°С. Although shrimp can live if this parameter drops to 15°C or rises to 30°C, it is still better not to test the inhabitants for viability.
2. Heating– not required if the air temperature in the house does not drop below 17°C.
3. Aeration is necessary– Crustaceans react very sensitively to a lack of oxygen in water.
4. Live vegetation required– It is best to plant Java moss in the tank; shrimp use it as a hiding place and for cleaning. Beginners are recommended to start with unpretentious plants - pistia or hornwort.
5. Water must be filtered– you just need to put a nylon multilayer mesh on the end of the filter. If the device creates a strong current, it can be reduced using special nozzles.
6. Lighting– shrimp usually do not need additional light sources, but plants need moderate lighting for growth and development.

Particular attention should be paid to water quality, since aquarium shrimp immediately react to changes in water chemical composition. For replacement, you can only use clean, well-settled water. It is enough to just add water containing chlorine once, and the crustaceans will begin to get sick and die.

In addition, it is important to avoid the appearance of any chemical impurity in the environment. Do not use sprays or fresheners in the room where the shrimp tank is located. It is advisable to regularly ventilate the room. Also, shrimp do not tolerate increased concentrations of nitrogenous components very well.

Who do shrimp get along with?

Various aquarium inhabitants love to feast on these small crustaceans, while the shrimp themselves are peaceful, friendly and unobtrusive. In order not to endanger them, you should take the issue of choosing neighbors seriously. It is best to attach shrimp to small, non-aggressive fish - neon, guppies or zebrafish. They also feel good in the company of snails - both of them will not be attacked.

Shrimp feeding regime and diet

Shrimp are omnivores and spend most of their waking hours searching for food. They are real orderlies underwater world– they eat dead areas of plants, the remains of other inhabitants (if any are found), and even microscopic particles of food that have settled on the ground. In general, everything you can profit from.

The main menu of shrimp is already available in the tank; the owner only needs to feed his charges a couple of times a day. It is not recommended to do this more often. You should not give food to crustaceans on the day of a water change; they are more resistant to hunger. stressful situations and other unwanted changes.

Shrimp will eat any food that is offered to them. This can be either dry daphnia or concentrated, balanced branded diets. Some manufacturers produce special menus for shrimp, they meet all the needs of these unusual creatures and are considered the best option. It is advisable to alternate food so that the inhabitants receive everything they need and their menu is varied.

How to care for a shrimp tank

Caring for such a tank is practically no different from caring for a container in which fish live:

• water is changed weekly, approximately 30-35% of the total volume;
• soil siphoning is performed 1-2 times a week, a fairly easy procedure;
• biological waste - snail shells, dead plants, etc. should be removed as they appear.

Any activities related to the invasion of shrimp habitat should be carried out as carefully as possible - these creatures are smaller than most fish, and they can be accidentally crushed or even killed. Otherwise, there are no particular difficulties.

Breeding aquarium shrimp

When it comes to reproduction, shrimp are completely independent - they do not need help or special conditions. If you take good care of them, individuals that have reached sexual maturity will soon begin to produce numerous offspring. If the female is ready to reproduce, she gives a signal to the males in the form of pheromone secretions. And then you can watch real race– the males begin to rapidly rush around the tank in search of the supposed “bride.”

A male can spend more than one hour to find a female, and mating lasts no more than a second. After fertilization, a “saddle” is formed in the female’s back area - in shrimp of the cherry variety it is yellow color, for special – gray. In fact, it is the eggs that show through at a certain stage of development.

Afterwards, the female molts, and the eggs end up under the abdomen. And after 21-28 days the fry appear. Young animals do not require special care; the babies immediately eat what their parents eat. They hide in dense vegetation and swim in jerky movements.

Not all shrimp are easy to breed, and if there are no problems with neocardine cherry and neocardine special, then to obtain offspring from Amano and filter feeders it is worth gaining knowledge and experience.

Diseases of aquarium shrimp

Another threat is pathogenic fungi, from which even those individuals that live in clean water, corresponding to all the required parameters. Fungi gradually deprive the individual nutrients, poison the body with toxic toxins. In this case, the risk of death of the inhabitant is very high.

Shrimp can also suffer from viral infections that are difficult to cure. No matter what the shrimp are sick with, the affected individuals should be removed from the general container into a separate tank and the water should be changed.

Freshwater shrimp are creatures with unusual appearance, thin, graceful and at the same time quite dexterous. And if you provide them with decent conditions, they will become wonderful inhabitants aquarium, attracting attention and preventing the owner from getting bored.

Photo of aquarium shrimp

Video about aquarium shrimp

Most of the freshwater shrimp kept in our aquariums come from Asia. Their length, as a rule, does not exceed 6-8 cm. Almost all of them are omnivores, but prefer lower aquatic vegetation. Shrimp are generally quite hardy creatures. Shrimp are interesting mainly during the day when they are active image life, quickly moving along the bottom in search of food and crawling along the leaves of plants. In a moment of danger, they make jerky swimming movements in the water column using contractions of the tail fan.

Shrimp molt regularly. Throwing off the chitinous shell. During molting (two to three days before molting and one or two after), they do not feed. Having freed themselves from the old shell, the shrimp take refuge in thickets of plants, under stones or in other shelters. After molting, the shrimp's integument is soft, and for some time, until the shell becomes hard, the animals are defenseless. After molting, shrimp recover damaged and lost limbs. In young individuals this happens faster, in adults it happens gradually.

Shrimp are peaceful. They do not attack their own kind or other inhabitants of the aquarium.
Although, when kept with fish, they themselves can become quite tasty food.

All types of aquarium shrimp are not picky about their living conditions. With the exception of some, for example, Sulawesi shrimp.
An aquarium of 10 liters or more is suitable for successful maintenance. In which you can place 10-15 shrimp. But you need to remember that sooner or later they will multiply and choosing a fry will not be so easy. Therefore, we advise you to start immediately with large aquarium volumes.

Aquarium shrimp Looks better on black soil. Although this is a matter of taste.
Amazingly, they live in temperatures ranging from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius. So, if the temperature in your apartment does not drop below 17 degrees, you can safely keep a shrimp tank without heating means. Although ideal temperature for them it will be 24-25 C.

Thus, you can save on heating, but aeration will not do this. It is imperative to install aeration in the shrimp tank. Krill, unlike fish, is very sensitive to oxygen saturation in water.

Very good for shrimp the presence of living plants is important in their habitat - an aquarium. It would be ideal to plant Java moss. Shrimp need it for hiding and cleaning. Of course, any plants will do for a start, even hornwort and pistia.

Water filtration for shrimp. Must be placed on the internal filter nylon stocking, there must be a pre-filter on the intake tube of the external filter, otherwise the shrimp will be sucked in.

Lighting for shrimp not really necessary, except to see the food :). But the plants that will be in the shrimp tank simply need it.

And now the unpleasant moment when keeping shrimp.

Aquarium shrimp are very sensitive to the chemical composition of water. The water that is replaced must be clean and well settled. You also need to keep an eye on environment, the use of various kinds of sprays and fresheners in the room where there is an aquarium with shrimp is unacceptable; surface gas exchange has not yet been canceled. Be very careful when changing water and ventilate the room. In addition, shrimp do not tolerate high concentrations of nitrogen compounds in the aquarium.

Nutrition of aquarium shrimp

Everyone eats shrimp! In the literal sense of the word. They are constantly searching for food. They clean up dead parts of plants, the corpses of other residents (if there are any) and the smallest particles of everything that can be eaten. These arthropods need to be fed, or rather fed, no more than once every two days. However, it is not advisable to feed them on the day when the water is changed. Hungry shrimp are better able to withstand stress or other unwanted changes.

You can feed them with any food, from dry daphnia to live and concentrated and balanced branded food.

You can feed them with Tetra shrimp food. The food should be balanced and varied. Try to alternate feeds.

Shrimp tank maintenance.

Maintaining a shrimp tank is not particularly different from maintaining an aquarium with fish.
Water changes should be done once a week ~ 1/3 of the total volume. It is advisable to do a light siphon of soil every few months. Remove dead plant parts and shells from the reels. We emphasize! Everything must be done very carefully. Shrimp much fewer fish and it is possible to inadvertently injure or even kill them. But in general there is nothing complicated or unusual.

Breeding aquarium shrimp.

There is no need to help shrimp in breeding! They do everything well themselves.
If the conditions are favorable and your shrimp are good, then the offspring will not be long in coming.
During the period when the female is ready to reproduce, she releases pheromones into the water. All males begin to frantically chase around the aquarium and look for a female. Mating lasts no more than a second. Although the process of searching for a female usually lasts for hours. Soon after mating, the female develops a so-called saddle on her back. Cherry shrimp are yellow, special shrimp are drunken gray. This is caviar at a certain stage. Subsequently, the female molts and the eggs move under the abdomen, and after 3-4 weeks the fry will appear.
Juveniles do not need special care. He immediately eats what his parents eat. It hides in the thickets and swims jerkily. The above applies only to shrimp: neocardina cherry and neocardina special. There are complex types of shrimp that a beginner will not be able to breed, because... they need a special approach and a lot of knowledge and experience, for example, Amano shrimp, filter feeders.

There are more and more fans of aquarium shrimp every year. They are bred by both beginners and experienced aquarists. However, they, like other types of living beings, can survive only in specially created conditions.

Shrimp are crustaceans that were able to occupy not only the seas, but also adapted to life in freshwater bodies. The latter became the ancestors of those species that are grown in aquariums.

Description

All species differ from each other in size and color. Despite this, the body structure is the same for everyone.

They do not have developed claws; their role is played by the jaws. They serve for walking and also for holding food.

Shrimp are similar to crayfish with a well-developed tail. Relying on it, they can make some kind of jumps and escape from enemies, for example, predatory neighbors.

Shrimp can rotate their eyes in different directions, so they have a wide view. Long antennae contribute to a high level of touch and smell.

The size of adults depends on the species. Small and medium-sized species reach 2-5, and large ones - 15 centimeters.

Types of aquarium shrimp

Most aquarium shrimp enter home waters from countries South-East Asia. There's them in large quantities are grown on specially equipped farms, creating all the necessary conditions for reproduction.

Not all shrimp are cute, small and harmless crustaceans; sometimes real giants appear on sale, for example Macrobrachium Rosenbergii, which grows quite rapidly in an aquarium up to 40 cm. There is no need to talk about the peacefulness of such an inhabitant - this animal actively tears up the soil, hunts other fish and shrimp, pulls out and eats plants. The danger is that the sellers themselves are not always aware of the potential of their goods, and sell them under the guise of ordinary tiny aquarium inhabitants. Rosenberg can be identified by his red, jagged nose and long jaws.

In general, small representatives of the genera Caridina (lat. Caridina) and neocaridina (lat. Neocaridina), as well as some species of macrobranchiums (lat. Macrobrachium), are popular.

Macrobranchium Rosenberg.

Cherry shrimp (lat. Neocaridina davidi)

Very common in home aquariums. The name is due to the red color of the body. This species is deservedly popular, because it is unpretentious to living conditions, and also reproduces very quickly.

The maximum size of an adult is 2.5-3 centimeters. Thanks to this, cherry shrimp can get along in small aquariums, the size of which does not exceed 10 liters. You can start growing experience with cherry trees.

In nature, these shrimp have a nondescript olive-green color. Cherry color was obtained through selective means. In this way, it was possible to breed blue, yellow, white and even black cherries.

The brightness of the color of this shrimp depends on many factors:

• Lighting. In bright light, the colors of cherries become saturated, and in dim light, on the contrary, they become darker.
• Stress. The aquarium must have a lot of hiding places and a lot of vegetation planted in which the cherries will feel confident. If the shrimp is afraid, its color will become duller. After transportation, it may become completely transparent, but do not worry, the color will return in a few hours.
• Background. When choosing a primer, it is better to choose a dark one, because it is on it that the color looks contrasting. Cherry colors may fade on light soil.
• Feed. To feed shrimp, you can use granules of various red foods with the addition of carotenoids, as well as carrots and red vegetable peppers.
• Genetics. In captivity, cherries reproduce quite quickly, and often without the intervention of the owner. In such an environment of chaotic and often inbreeding, degeneration of the offspring can occur. For this reason, it is better to promptly cull pale-colored individuals and periodically “renew the blood” with new bright shrimp.

Cherries of different color variations.

Aquarium bumblebee shrimp (lat. Caridina cantonensis)

This small shrimp reaches a length of 2-3 cm, and, like the cherry tree, has become a noteworthy object for breeding. On sale you can find a large number of a wide variety of fancy colors; red and white, crystal wine, blue and white, black and white, yellow, brindle, etc.

Collectors divide these shrimp into classes by color, and the more beautiful the pattern on the body or the more predominant a color is, the higher the class of the crustacean and the more expensive it is.

It is easy to care for and gets along well with cherries. Although it reproduces in fresh water, breeding it in an aquarium is problematic, since juveniles are very sensitive to water quality.

Bumblebee shrimp color variation Red crystal.

Amano (lat. Caridina multidentata)

The size of this species exceeds the size of the previous two. Females reach up to 6 cm, males are smaller - up to 4 cm.

The species is named after the famous Japanese aquarium designer Takashi Amano. This crustacean is the keeper of the order and cleanliness of the home pond; it eats well filamentous algae and various foulings.

It has a translucent light olive color, over which many dark and reddish inclusions are scattered. A wide golden stripe stretches across the entire body from the rostrum to the tail.

Although it is considered a relatively unpretentious species, it is almost impossible to breed it in an aquarium, since it will require salt water to raise offspring. Typically, Amano shrimp are bred in Asian farms using equipment.

Amano shrimp.

Filter shrimp (lat. Atyopsis moluccensis)

This unusual aquatic inhabitant has special “fans” that help catch a variety of plankton and detritus from the water column. In the aquarium, carefully filtering the water from food residues.

Filter feeders look very attractive - color can vary from olive to reddish-yellow. There are horizontal dark stripes along the entire body, the back is yellow.

Just like Amano, juvenile filter feeders require salt water. In fresh water, the larvae die after a week.

Shrimp filter feeder.

Conditions of detention

For shrimp, it is very important to have a proper aquarium with enough space for each individual. The container must be selected based on a liter of water per shrimp. However, when maximum sizes bodies of 2 centimeters in one liter two individuals can coexist.

Although some shrimp can be kept in small aquariums, it is better to use larger ones - from 20 liters. The larger the vessel, the more stable the biological balance in it.

They can be added to fish or you can prepare a separate aquarium - a shrimp tank. When kept in a community aquarium important role plays the correct neighborhood. The fact is that most fish will not miss the opportunity to offend a shrimp. This is not about simple competition. Fish often hunt them, mistaking them for food.

A large number of shelters can provide safety for them. Shrimp can hide both in decorative elements and among plants.

If the fish begin to perceive shrimp as food, then the crustaceans must be removed immediately. Tetras and others are best suited as neighbors small fish, rarely sink to the bottom and have a small mouth.

When choosing, you can pay attention to Java moss. Adults can hide in it and larvae can grow. In a general aquarium there should be more such moss, then not a single fish will be able to get the shrimp from its shelter.

You can use fast-growing plants such as hornwort or elodea. They will absorb nitrogenous compounds from the water that are harmful to crustaceans. But it is important not to overdo it, since such vegetation can compete with algae as food - important element in the diet of shrimp. In addition to fast-growing greens, you can use echinodorus, cryptocorynes and anubias.

You can decorate the aquarium with driftwood and dried oak leaves. They harbor various microorganisms that will serve as an excellent food source for shrimp. It is better to choose dried fallen leaves. To make them drown, they are soaked in water for 2-3 days, after which they are placed in an aquarium.

Shrimp, like fish, are cold-blooded animals, so whether they are active or not depends on the temperature that was created in the aquarium. It should be 20-28 degrees. But even a drop to 15 degrees will not be fatal for them. They will become less active and stop reproducing.

If the water is heated to 32 degrees, protein coagulation will occur in the body, which means probable death for all individuals. Crustaceans have increased sensitivity to sudden changes in temperature. For example, a jump of 7 degrees threatens fish with disease and shrimp with death. Therefore, if a change is planned, it must be done gradually.

The amount of water that is replaced in the aquarium should not exceed 1/4 of its volume. This procedure can be repeated no more than once a week. Shrimp can live in tap water, but it should be replaced only when the temperature warms up to room temperature.

The chemical composition of water does not have of great importance. The main thing is that there is no copper in it, otherwise both adults and larvae will die. In addition, the water hardness should be average, otherwise during molting they will have nowhere to get the necessary substances to build a shell.

It is important to siphon the soil frequently as shrimp leave a lot of waste. If ammonia levels rise sharply, they will get sick.

Lack of oxygen also has a detrimental effect on these crustaceans. To enrich water with oxygen, it is necessary to install a special compressor.

It is better to use the filter with a sponge, otherwise small specimens will get inside. In shrimp tanks, a filter is not necessary, but in a general aquarium you will have to install one.

The aquarium must be equipped with a special lid, since many species can crawl outside of it. Shrimp can only survive in air for a few minutes. If crustaceans begin to leave the aquarium en masse, then it’s time to think about changing the water.

Red cherry.

Buying such an unusual animal as an aquarium shrimp should not be spontaneous. Before going to the store, you need to carefully prepare by studying the theoretical basis. Carefully look at the photographs of the selected species so that you buy it, and not a predatory individual, which in six months will reach 20 cm in size.

In the store, carefully examine the behavior and color of crustaceans. There should be no plaque, white or bloody stains on their shell. Transparent shrimp should not be milky cloudy.

It is better not to take adults, as shrimp are no different long duration life, and may soon die of old age. It is also better not to buy females with eggs, as they do not tolerate transportation and adaptation in a new aquarium well.

After purchasing, you need to put some in the bag with shrimp. aquatic plants, on which the shrimp can cling. IN hot weather It is better to ensure delivery to your home as quickly as possible, avoiding overheating.

There is no need to rush and release the shrimp straight into the aquarium. It is better to put the bag in water and wait until the temperature equalizes. This usually takes 15-20 minutes.

If there are fish in the aquarium, the lights should be turned off during release. This is necessary so that they do not notice the new inhabitant and start “pecking” him.

Yellow cherry.

Nutrition

Most species are not picky about food. They eat food left over from fish, bloodworms and tubifex, algae and bacterial fouling.

They can destroy, which fills the entire aquarium (it is very difficult to fight it manually).

Even though they can find food on their own, they also need to be fed. You can purchase special food or feed it with pieces of boiled vegetables. This should be done several times a week, but not more than once a day. Overfed shrimp will not do well. Given their ability to find food on their own, they can be left unattended for 7-10 days.

Overfeeding is dangerous for shrimp, since they are able to look for food on their own, but they cannot escape contaminated water.

Pregnant shrimp.

Reproduction

Aquarium shrimp are bisexual crustaceans. The female stands out noticeably from the males with her increased size and convex abdomen. After the female reaches sexual maturity, eggs are formed under her tail. For this reason, the tail is also larger than that of the male.

To attract a male, pheromones produced by her body are used. After fertilization of the eggs, the larvae develop after 4-6 weeks.

The appearance of the juveniles depends on the species of the parents. Cherries and bumblebees give birth to tiny shrimp - exact copies adults. All that is required from the owner in this case is to provide the kids with suitable living conditions.

Some shrimp, such as Amano and filter feeders, give birth to larvae, which in nature slide into the sea, mature there, and then return to the rivers. It is extremely difficult to create such an environment in captivity.

Shrimp increase in size only during molting. They shed their chitinous shell, after which a new one grows. There is no need to remove the old one from the shrimp tank. It contains enough nutrients to build a new shell.

You can watch the life of shrimp and their habits for hours, because they are not just beautiful animals. It is not difficult to create suitable living conditions for them, and they will thank their caring owners with offspring.